How to Make a Self-Watering Reservoir for Potted Plants

Recycle old plastic bottles for your garden.

If you travel a lot, you may have considered leaving gardening to those who have more time and a regular abode. Asking friends to constantly come over and water your plants may strain relationships as well, especially if you have lots of plants. A self-watering container may be the solution. A self-watering container wicks liquid from a reservoir into the potting soil whenever it gets dry. This keeps your plants well fed and thriving.

Things You'll Need

• 2-L bottle
• Cotton fabric or cotton yarn
• Scissors
• Potting soil

Instructions

1. Rinse a 2-L bottle so that it is free of soda syrup and remove the label.

2. Cut the bottle in half and retain the top portion for later.

3. Cut a long strip of cotton fabric, long enough to fit to the bottom of the 2-L bottle if held above the bottle. Also cut a square of cotton fabric. Roll the cotton square into a ball and tie the cotton strip around the ball.

4. Put the ball portion of the fabric into the top portion of the bottle. Let the loose ends of fabric fall through the spout of the bottle.

5. Fill the lower half of the 2-L bottle with water.

6. Turn the top portion of the bottle upside down and place it over the bottom half of the bottle. Let the loose ends of fabric hang in the water.

7. Fill the top portion of the 2-L bottle with soil and place your plant inside it. The ball at the bottom of the bottle will suck up water as needed.

References

• Urban Organic Gardener: How to Make a Self-Watering Container--4 Ways
• Youtube: How To Make a Free Self-Watering Planter