How to Make a Self-Watering Planter

by Jackie Davis 04/27/2025

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

Jackie Davis

Welcome to Jackie Davis and Company. If you have navigated this far, we thank you and would like to share how we differ from other teams and agents. We work tirelessly and are committed to providing 100% customer satisfaction. We recognize, listen, value, and appreciate your goals as you move towards listing or selling your home. As Listing Agents we continuously integrate new and advanced technology to promote your biggest asset. Our strong negotiation skills are invaluable for getting you the best price for your home. As the Buyer's Agent we pride ourselves on being fully educated in our local markets. While focusing on integrity and honesty we will provide you with the highest level of professionalism and analysis. We are proud that this hard work has earned us recognition as top 1% both company and state wide in the industry. Achievements * 1st Quarter 2017 Leading Sales in Fairfield * 2017 February Leading Sales Team * 2017 March Leading Sales Team * Chairman's Elite representing the Top 1% Agent at William Raveis Nationwide & Fairfield County * Over $45 million Listed & Sold in 2016 * Over $30 million Listed & Sold in 2015 * 99% List to Sales Ratio (higher than market average) * 75 Average Days on Market (less than market average) * Jackie Davis Promoted to Sales Vice President 2016 * Raveis Award of Excellence every year * Exceptional Customer Service Award every year * Top Units Sold Team October 2016 * Top Customer Service October 2016 * Top Mortgage Support September 2016 * Top Selling Team January 2016 * Top Mortgage Support August 2015 * Top Selling Team Feb 2014 * Top Producing Team Jan 2014 * Top Selling Team Dec 2013 * Top Selling Team Nov 2013 * Top Producing Team Nov 2013 Professional Specialty Innovative Marketing and Technology equals proven sales. Our team of licensed professionals is ready to serve. We handle: Sellers & Buyers Exceptional Properties Investors Waterfront & Beach Area Homes Country & Equestrian Properties New Construction & Land Relocation Professional Association National Association of Realtors Connecticut Association of Realtors Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors Consolidated Multiple Listing Service Community Involvement PTA committee member for past 14 years from elementary through high school PTA Board Member for 4 years Shoff Darby Advisory Scholarship Board member past 5 years Committee member for Cancer Care of Norwalk past 10 years Volunteer Habitat for Humanity Operation Hope coordinator for elementary and middle schools, last 3 years Volunteer for a variety of town sports teams, that my daughters participate in The County Assemblies Board Member The b-Cause Foundation Board Member- a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate children to recognize neighbors in need in our local community. Wakeman Boys & Girls Club- Fundraising Committee Member Committee Member for Cancer Couch Fundraiser the Cancer Beat 2016 Near and Far Aid Volunteer Education BA from Merrimack College Personal Fairfield resident for 39 years Currently reside in Fairfield Beach Area Married 27 years Four daughters currently in & have graduated Fairfield Public School system Areas Covered Fairfield Southport Westport Weston Norwalk Trumbull Easton Stratford Shelton Milford Stamford Bridgeport