20 Best DIY Self-Watering Container Ideas

Ralph Astley is a retired gardener from Philadelphia who specializes in outdoor plants and trees. With years of hands-on experience, Ralph not only cares for a diverse range of outdoor flora but also shares his extensive knowledge through well-written articles and social media posts. A trusted authority in arboriculture, he's committed to helping the community grow healthier, more robust gardens.
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If you forget to water your plants due to a busy schedule, check out some of the best DIY Self-Watering Container Garden Ideas!

Knowing these DIY Self-Watering Container Garden Ideas is really helpful for busy indoor and outdoor gardeners to make sure their green friends never run out of water.

Check out some amazing planter ideas here


DIY Self-Watering Containers

1. DIY Wicking Bed

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A wicking bed container garden is a simple, ingenious, and space-saving alternative to growing plants in the garden, as most people do. It saves water and also provides the proper moisture to plants. Check out the DIY tutorial video!

2. Repurposed Soda Pop Bottles

self watering soda bottle planter

What makes this DIY project even more fun is that these bottles are dirt cheap, and since they are made of plastic, they seem easier to cut, unlike the wine or glass versions.

3. Wooden Box

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These compact wooden boxes are not your ordinary planters; they have reservoirs fitted underneath, which are constantly fed from the adjacent water butt, much like the cistern of a toilet. Here’s the step-by-step tutorial!

4. Self Watering Bucket & Styrofoam Cup

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A combination of two plastic buckets and a styrofoam cup can be used as a reliable self-watering planter garden. Details are here.

5. Inverted Planter Garden

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Visit Instructables to see the detailed step-by-step article on how to keep plants well-hydrated during the hot summer days.

6. Convert a Standard Planter into a Self Watering Planter

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This DIY is for gardeners who like the idea of growing plants in self-watering planters but want something that is more visually appealing than storage totes. Click here to see the project!

7. Bottle Garden

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This no-fuss bottle garden is a convenient system that includes a planter in the top half and a water reservoir in the bottom half. The Design Sponge has a great DIY article on it!

8. Air Conditioner-Inspired Planter Garden

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Recycling the water that drips down when you use the air conditioner is an effective and eco-friendly way to water plants. The tutorial is available here!

9. Self-Watering Mini Garden

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With just two plain plastic boxes salvaged from your local hardware store, you can create this tiny herb garden that has all your recipes covered. To learn more, click here.

10. DIY Self-Watering Planters for Garden

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This fancy yet functional self-watering planter arrangement combines two big containers, one that is used as a reservoir and the other for planting. See the article in detail here!

11. Homemade Sub-Irrigated Planter

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A sub-irrigated planter is exactly what you need to ensure a regular supply of water for your ambitious garden project. Instructions are available on Frugal Upstate.

12. Five-Gallon Self Watering Container

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This five-gallon self-watering container can be made with a towel, sponges, and two containers within 15 minutes flat. It’s easy, too–see the tutorial video here.

13. Self Watering Foam Box

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The system is portable, requires little space, and provides you with a fresh supply of herbs or veggies without even having to water regularly. Look at this functional idea here.

14. Self Watering Water Cooler Planter

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Who knew that an unimpressive-looking water cooler bottle could double up as a classy self-watering planter? Check out this interesting tutorial.

15. Super Simple DIY Self Watering Herb Garden

Grow herbs in a small space, and never ever worry about watering them again! Here are all the details you’ll need for this DIY.

16. Wine Bottle Self-Watering Hack

All you need is an empty wine bottle to ensure your potted plant never runs out of water. For details, click here.

17. Self-Watering System for Houseplants

Here’s an interesting DIY watering system that you can apply to your houseplants. It will also look great on a coffee table.

18. Self-Watering Glass Planters

Cut the tops off the wine bottles by scoring a ring around the bottle and use them creatively to water your plants. Details are here!

19. Self Watering Raised Garden Bed

Grow fruits, vegetables, or herbs of your choice in this self-watering raised garden bed with ease. Watch this video for all the minute details.

20. Wick-To-Water

You can use a long candle wick, shoelace, or cotton rope to self-water small plants or herbs for a long time. Details are here.

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