If you want a front porch project that looks custom but is still very doable in an afternoon, this stacked terracotta pot address planter is one of my favorite kinds of DIY. You get the charm of flowers, the practicality of clearly displayed house numbers, and that welcoming handmade touch that makes an entry feel cared for right away.
I especially love this project for families, busy homeowners, or anyone who wants curb appeal without building something from scratch. The stacked pots are simple to assemble, the stenciled numbers make it easy to personalize, and the trailing petunias soften the whole look beautifully. I’m always looking for ways to make the front step feel warm and inviting, and this one really delivers.
Materials
1 large terracotta pot, 12-inch diameter
Instructions
1. Wipe all the terracotta pots and saucer clean with a damp rag, then let them dry fully so the paint adheres well.
2. Lightly sand the outside of the medium pot where the house numbers will go, and dust off the surface.
3. Paint the outside of the medium pot with a solid base coat of white outdoor paint, leaving the rim natural if you like a little contrast; let it dry and add a second coat if needed.
4. Position the number stencils centered on the painted pot, spacing them evenly so the full address is easy to read from the street, then secure them with painter’s tape.
5. Dip the stencil brush lightly into black or charcoal paint and dab off the excess before pouncing the paint straight down over each number to prevent bleeding.
6. Lift the stencil carefully while the paint is still slightly wet, then use a small brush for any tiny touch-ups and let the numbers dry completely.
7. Spray or brush on a clear outdoor sealer over the painted pot once the numbers are dry, then let it cure according to the product directions.
8. Place the terracotta saucer in your final porch location, set the large pot on top, and add 1 cup of gravel to the bottom for drainage and stability.
9. Insert the wooden dowel upright into the center of the large pot, then fill around it with potting soil until the dowel feels firm and the pot is about three-quarters full.
10. Slide the medium stenciled pot onto the dowel at a slight angle, nesting its lower edge into the soil in the large pot so it looks naturally stacked and stays secure.
11. Add a little gravel and soil inside the medium pot, then slide the small pot onto the dowel above it at a slightly different angle for a balanced tiered look.
12. Fill all three pots with potting soil, keeping about 1 inch of space below each rim for watering.
13. Remove the petunias from their nursery pots, loosen the roots gently, and plant them around the edges of each pot so the blooms and trailing stems can spill outward.
14. Press in extra soil where needed, water thoroughly until the soil is evenly moist, and rotate the planter slightly to make sure the house numbers face forward clearly.
Variations & Tips
Color choice: If your porch gets a lot of sun, I like using white, cream, charcoal, or soft sage because those colors stay crisp and are easy to read from the curb.
For picky plant preferences: If petunias are not your favorite, you can swap in calibrachoa, ivy, sweet potato vine, or trailing verbena for the same soft spilling effect.
Best number placement: Put the address on the middle pot rather than the smallest one so the numbers are easier to see and don’t get hidden by blooms.
Stenciling tip: Use less paint than you think you need on the stencil brush. In my experience, a nearly dry brush gives cleaner numbers than a fully loaded one.
Stability help: If your porch gets strong wind, use a heavier center rod or add a little extra gravel to the bottom pot to keep the whole planter grounded.
Watering tip: Stacked planters can dry out faster than a single pot in summer, so check the soil daily during hot spells and pinch off spent petunia blooms to keep flowers coming.
Family-friendly style idea: You can coordinate the flower color with your front door or porch cushions to make the whole entry feel pulled together without spending much extra.