Turn an Empty Bottle Into a Self-Watering Planter

by Ari Koufos 04/04/2022

If you’ve ever gone on vacation and worried about your houseplants not getting watered, a self-watering planter is a smart option. Unfortunately, many of these planters available to buy are expensive and hard to find. Luckily there are ways to make your own while recycling old items at the same time. Here are some tips for making your own self-watering planters out of empty beverage bottles.

Materials

Bottle of your choice
A rubber stopper
A small piece of window screen or fine mesh
String or twine to use as a wick
Potting mix
Herbs or plants

What Kind of Bottle Is Best?

You have options for which bottles to use for your planters. The fundamental things to consider are size and material. Your planter will be the same size in diameter as whatever bottle you use, so the wider the bottle, the bigger your planter will be. That said, you can use wine, beer, soda, water or juice bottles—either plastic or glass will work. Glass is more durable than plastic, but requires special tools to cut.

Step-by-Step

  1. The first thing to do is cut the bottle in half roughly about the center. If you have a glass bottle, you’ll need a glass cutter, glass drill or a specialized bottle cutting tool.

  2. Add the rubber stopper around the edge of the bottom of the bottle to help keep the glass from sliding.

  3. Cut a small hole in the center of the mesh large enough for the string to pass through.

  4. Stick the string through the hole and tie a large knot at one end to keep it in place.

  5. Take the top of the bottle and position it upside down so that it rests inside the bottom part. Place the mesh and the string so that the string can pass down through the neck of the bottle.

  6. Add potting mix on top of the mesh and add your plant of choice.

  7. Fill the bottom of the bottle with enough water that the string hangs down into it.

  8. Now you’re finished! Place your new planter in a windowsill or somewhere else with enough light for the plants to thrive.

How Does It Work?

With the string hanging down into the water it acts as a wick to bring moisture all the way up into the planter part of the bottle where the knot is. This gradually waters the plant from below until the water in the bottom vessel is completely gone or low enough that the string can’t touch it. Now you have a great way to keep your moisture-loving herbs and plants happy without daily watering.

About the Author
Author

Ari Koufos

I have been selling Real Estate in the Greater Boston Area since 1997. I am the Co-Founder & Current Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Watertown. A lifelong resident of Watertown which I still reside with my Wife Debra and my Twins Emily & Christopher.  I am a  supporter of many local & national charities. One of my most rewarding fundraisers was as a rider in the PanMass Challenge in 2010,2011,2015 & 2016 raising over $50,000 over those 4 years for the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund. I am a 1988 Graduate of Bentley University in Waltham. I have extensive knowledge of all types of Real Estate participating in over 1000 transactions. I also have New Construction experience & specialize in condo conversions.  

Purchasing a home is one of the single most important investments in a person's life. With my expertise and guidance in the home buying and selling process, I can help find the most appropriate home for you. You can be assured that an experienced Real Estate Professional is working with your interests in mind. Please contact me on my cell at 617-799-8948 for a free consult if you are thinking of Buying or Selling your home.