Iām midway through my upcycling project, and so far, it’s been a rewarding mix of problem-solving, experimenting, and a bit of trial and error. The concept came from a simple challenge: how do you keep plants healthy and hydrated without needing to water them constantly and this is really the case if you are often away from home? My wife and I both love greenery, and between her growing collection of houseplants and our tendency to travel, a low-maintenance plant care system just made sense and would really fit our lifestyle.
So, I decided to take a crack at building a DIY self-watering planter using only recycled or household materials. The inspiration came from self-watering commercial planters, but I wanted something that was cost-effective, easy to replicate, and ideally, more sustainable. So the search was on for materials that I could make this planter out of.
Materials So Far:
-
A recycled 2-liter plastic bottle (I used a Dr. Pepper one, which is what we had at home)
-
Used clothing fabric for the wick to pull water from the water reservoir up to the soil
-
Potting soil and a small plant for testing (though I havenāt added the plant yet)
-
Water
Progress Recap:
1. Prepping the Bottle
I started by cutting the bottle about six inches from the top, giving me a solid reservoir and a top piece that can act as the soil container. I poked small holes in the top half for ventilation, and Iāll likely tweak the number or placement depending on how well the system drains and breathes.
Figure 1. Dry fit test for the bottle.
2. Experimenting with the Wick
I originally planned to use string for the water wick, but early tests werenāt promising. It didnāt seem to absorb or transfer water as effectively as Iād hoped. I swapped it out with a strip of fabric from an old cotton shirt. So far, that seems to work a lot better. It absorbs quickly and should provide a steady water flow once the soil is added.
Figure 2. Testing out fabrics
3. Assembling the System
Iāve done a dry fitāplacing the top half of the bottle (now upside down) into the reservoir below with the wick running through the cap and into the water chamber. Itās looking promising in terms of structure and fit. The transparency of the bottle is actually a nice design feature and it’ll be easy to monitor both the water level and root development once everything’s in place.
Figure 3. Assembling the soil basin with the fabric water wick
Whatās Next:
-
Add the soil and plant to start testing the water delivery.
-
Observe how the fabric wick performs over a few days: does it keep the soil evenly moist?
-
Consider smoothing or finishing the cut edges for safety and a cleaner look.
-
Potentially add a sleeve or cover if the final look feels too rough.
This project has been a fun reminder of how functional design doesnāt have to be complicated or expensive. With a few adjustments, I think it could become a solid option for people who want low-maintenance plant care without buying new gear. More updates soon once I test the setup with a real plant in place!
Sources:
Featured Image: url – https://www.gardeners.com/buy/adjustable-self-watering-insert-for-pots-and-planters/8610250.htmlĀ Author: GSC
2 Comments. Leave new
Hi Jacob,
I love this idea and think it turned out really well. I like that you created something using sustainable materials but also had the function of sustainability in mind. This would definitely be something I would use since I’m constantly forgetting to water my plants. If you were to make it again with not upcycled materials, what would you make it out of?
This is such a thoughtful and well-executed project. I really like how you framed the problem from a real need in your life and used everyday materials to create a functional and sustainable solution. Your detailed process, especially the wick material testing, shows strong problem-solving and experimentation.
One question I had is about long-term durability. Have you thought about how often the cotton wick might need to be replaced, or how it holds up over time with constant moisture? Also, would you consider adding a way to easily check the water level or prevent overflow?
Overall, this is a creative and practical design that could be really useful for a lot of people. Iām excited to see how it works once the plant is added.