Make Clay Pinch Pot Hanging Planters to Display Your Fave Succulents

Learn how to make clay pinch pot hanging planters, perfect for mini succulents, with just a few materials and this easy, step-by-step tutorial.

March 14, 2022
clay pinch pot hanging planters

Add a succulent and enjoy

Add a tiny succulent and a bit of sandy potting soil (Image 1). Water by misting regularly. Hang in a window without a lot of direct light where they’ll add a little cheer all year long.

Photo by: Jennie Andrews

Jennie Andrews

Nothing brings joy into a space like plants, especially when they’re displayed in colorful pots. These clay pinch pot hanging planters add a little pop of brightness to any space. They are inexpensive to make and fun to personalize with acrylic paint and some creativity. With just a little help, kids would also enjoy this DIY project.

DIY Pinch Pot Planters
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Materials + Tools

  • polymer oven-bake clay
  • rubbing alcohol
  • paintbrush
  • wooden skewer
  • cotton twine
  • small wooden ring

Prep for the Project

Because this project uses white polymer clay, start with a clean surface and also clean hands. Polymer clay picks up lint and color very easily and this can make your finished project look less polished. Tip: Use a clean baking sheet you’ve designated for baking clay.

clay and baking sheet for hanging planter

Prep for the project

Because this project uses white polymer clay, start with a clean surface and also clean hands. Polymer clay picks up lint and color very easily and this can make your finished project look less polished. Pro Tip: Use a clean baking sheet you’ve designated for baking clay (Image 1).

Photo by: Jennie Andrews

Jennie Andrews

Start Shaping Your Pinch Pot

Start by breaking off a chunk of clay a little smaller than a Ping-Pong ball (Image 1). Soften it in your hands and work into a ball (Image 2). Then press your thumbs into the ball and start to form the pot (Image 3). Continue to work with the clay, pressing your thumbs in and pulling up with your other two fingers until the walls are about 1/4-inch thick. Don’t worry about getting the shape perfect. The organic shape is lovely and each one will be totally unique!

Smooth Out the Sides

Once you get the shape how you’d like, it’s time for the detail work. As you formed your mini pinch pot, you probably noticed some fingerprints and bumps you couldn’t smooth completely. Luckily, there is a hack for that: Rubbing alcohol (Image 1) melts polymer clay, so simply dip a paintbrush into the alcohol and dab it on (Image 2). Then, gently smooth the surface with your fingertips (Image 3). Go easy — it only takes a small amount, and using too much may cause your pot to crack. Tip: Repeat as needed, but be careful to only use as much alcohol as you need.

Make Your Holes

Use a wooden skewer to punch three evenly spaced holes in the top of the pot, about 1/2 inch from the top.

make holes in pinch pot hanging planter

Make holes

Use a wooden skewer to punch three evenly spaced holes in the top of the pot about 1/2 inch from the top.

Photo by: Jennie Andrews

Jennie Andrews

Personalize Your Pinch Pots With Paint

Paint the pot before baking it. Artist acrylics in opaque shades (Image 1) work the best for polymer clay. They stick well to the surface, cover nicely, have a similar sheen and won’t crack while baking. Use a small paintbrush to paint a design directly onto the unbaked pot (Image 2 + 3). When you're done painting, place your clay pinch pot onto a baking sheet and bake according to package instructions.

Add Twine to Your Pinch Pot Hanging Planters

Use cotton twine and small wooden rings to hang the pot (Image 1). Thread twine through the first hole and then through the wooden ring (Image 2). Then, thread through the second hole and back through the wooden ring (Image 3). Repeat again with the third hole and tie off to the beginning of the twine (Image 4).

Add Succulents and Enjoy!

Add a tiny succulent and a bit of sandy potting soil and your clay pinch pot hanging planter is complete (Image 1). Water by misting regularly. Hang in a window where they’ll add a little cheer all year long (Image 2).

How to Care for Succulents

Succulents are often regarded as the ultimate low-maintenance plant, but even seasoned gardeners have seen them perish under their care. Read our growing guide to help keep them happy indoors and out.

Tips to Help Them Thrive

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