How to Make DIY Self-Watering Planters
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You’ll want to pick up some plastic pots. Plastic is great because they are easy to drill into.
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![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/07052/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I bought cotton clothes line and there will be a lot left over if you get this size package. You can also use nylon cording instead of cotton. I’ve read that you will have less mold and mildew with nylon cording. I believe the Amazon self watering planters one has nylon cord.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/07062/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I considered this option for my reservoir.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/07072/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
In the end, I went to Goodwill and bought 3 bowls that will become the glass reservoirs for my self watering planters. All three bowls together were about the same price as I what I had been thinking of getting. So, score!
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/07131/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
In the process of this tutorial, I lost my black pot so we are going with this one instead. But know there is a cheaper one available. Happy accident, this one already has holes in the bottom so no drilling.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/07151/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Here’s the Amazon one, it has a clear plastic reservoir, a wicking string, mesh for the bottom of the planter and a planter with holes. Again, I love these and I highly recommend them.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13412/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Here’s what I am using to create my self watering planters. Plastic pots (with holes are great or drill your own), containers that will work with your plastic pots to be the reservoirs, cotton or nylon cording, mesh or coffee filters and a scissors.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13432/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I cut my cord using the Amazon one for reference. It’s 10 inches long.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13443/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I popped the bottom off. We won’t be using it so you can set it aside.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13452/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Locate the holes in the bottom or drill your own…
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13462/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Feed the cord through two of the holes.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13464/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
It will be like an inside down U.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13472/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
All done and ready to go on to of the reservoir.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13482/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13488/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/134810/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Add your coffee filter to keep dirt in the top planter.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13492/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I’m repotting this plant that is in a smaller wicking pot.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13494/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I had been using this bottom of a wine bottle as the reservoir but it needs a bigger pot.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13502/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13512/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I think she looks very pretty in her new home.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13513/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I had another plant and that pot already had a hole in the bottom so I tucked some clothesline into the hole and it should work the same way.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/30/02551/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Like so…
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13535/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I see a lot of self watering planters in my future.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13542/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Here’s the Amazon version…
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/13544/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Here are all three together.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/14301/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I would say this one of my favorite projects ever.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/14264/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I really think it looks much more expensive than it cost.
![how to make diy self watering planters](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2022/08/29/14266/how-to-make-diy-self-watering-planters.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
What would be good plants to put in self watering planters? You know those dramatic ones…you forget to water them for one day and they are laying flat as a pancake.