What is Terracotta?

Terracotta, also known as terra cotta or terra-cotta (from the Latin terra cocta 'cooked earth'), is a clay-based non-vitreous ceramic usually fired at relatively low temperatures.

Terracotta clay has a few unique characteristics, in particular a red brown colour that typifies its appearance in ceramics. It's widely used as a material for tiles or pots for the garden, which is why we see so many pots take on this red brown colour. It is made out of a fairly coarse, porous type of clay that is high in iron oxides. It is also highly used for sculptural pottery due to the rigidity it achieves from the amount of grog in its composition.

One of terracotta's most unique traits is its ability to draw moisture out of the soil, something plastic and glazed ceramic planters simply can't do. However, due to this porous nature, terracotta can crack as the water expands and contracts in fluctuating temperatures.

Terracotta can also be fired to higher temperatures and become a vitrified ceramic. But beware the grog within the clay converts to glass and can produce a surface with small, sharp protuberances. Sanding is highly advisable to alleviate this issue.