If you love having plants on your balcony but struggle to keep them watered, this project is for you. In our hot, dry climate, soil can dry out just hours after watering. It’s frustrating, and it’s a disaster if you need to travel for a few days.
You don’t need an expensive irrigation system. For the price of an old plastic bottle (zero!), you can build a simple, effective self-watering system that gives your plants a slow, steady supply of water right where they need it—at the roots.
We were inspired to update this guide after seeing some great DIY videos, like this one, which shows a fantastic pro-tip for the wicking method.
This is a perfect 10-minute sustainable project. It saves you water, saves your plants, and saves a plastic bottle from the landfill.
- Project: DIY Self-Watering Planter
- Active Time: 10 minutes
- Cost: Free
- Skill Level: Very Easy
You Will Need
- An empty plastic bottle (a 1.5L or 2L water bottle is perfect)
- A tool to make holes: A pin, small nail, or a drill
- A tool to cut the bottle: Scissors or a utility knife
- For Method 2: A 15cm (6-inch) piece of cotton string, cloth, or shoelace
- For Method 2 (Pro-Tip): A small handful of gravel or small pebbles
Instructions: Two Easy Methods
Choose the method that works best for your plants. Method 1 is great for existing, large pots, while Method 2 is a complete planter for new plants.
Method 1: The Simple Drip Irrigator (for existing pots)
- Prepare the Bottle: Take your plastic bottle and wash it out.
- Make the Holes: Take the bottle cap and use your pin or nail to poke 2-4 tiny holes in it. (A good tip: carefully heat the pin with a lighter for a few seconds to melt through the plastic easily). The fewer and smaller the holes, the slower the drip.
- Fill and Plant: Fill the bottle with water and screw the cap back on.
- Install: Turn the bottle upside down and firmly press it 2-3 inches into the soil next to your plant. The water will now slowly drip out and keep the soil moist.
Method 2: The Self-Watering Wicking Planter (Inspired Pro-Method)
- Cut the Bottle: Carefully mark and cut your plastic bottle. A good spot is about 10-12 cm (or 4-5 inches) from the bottom. You will now have a top “funnel” and a bottom “reservoir.”
- Prepare the Wick: Take the top “funnel” half. Poke one or two small holes in the cap. Thread your cotton string or fabric strip through the holes, so it hangs a few inches down and has a few inches inside the funnel. This “wick” will pull water up.
- Assemble: Nest the top “funl” half upside down into the bottom “reservoir” half.
- Pro-Tip (for Aeration): Add a small layer of gravel or pebbles into the funnel, just over the cap. This is a great tip we learned that prevents the soil from getting waterlogged and stops the wick from getting clogged.
- Add Soil & Plant: Fill the top funnel with soil and add your plant. Make sure the wick is in contact with the soil.
- Fill Reservoir: Add water to the bottom reservoir. You can do this by lifting the top part, or by carefully pouring water down the side.
- Done! The soil will now wick up moisture, keeping your plant perfectly watered. You only need to refill the reservoir when you see it’s empty.
Your Frugal, Sustainable Solution
That’s it! For zero cost, you’ve upcycled a piece of trash into a valuable tool for your balcony garden. Yo
