15 Ways You Can Create Your Own Self Watering Planters

One of a gardener’s worst nightmares is the “dreaded vacation”. It doesn’t matter if you are taking a week on a girl’s trip, spending a weekend celebrating a graduation, or going away for the holidays, there is always more than a bit of trepidation for many gardeners as they hope that their gardens have enough water to stay sufficiently hydrated while away.

Luckily there is a great way to fix that. Here, we’ve found 15 DIY self-watering planters that you can start making today in order to ensure your garden is always as lush as possible.

#1. The Recycled Air Conditioner Self-Watering Planter

If you’ve got a bit more time on your hands and are willing to use some recycled machinery, this is the project for you. It’s a bit more difficult compared to some of the others on this list, but no doubt a much more effective result as well. Tutorial: instructables

#2. The $7 Self-Watering Bucket

A super inexpensive self-watering planter that barely requires a $10 bill. All you need is a 5-gallon bucket, a few shopping bags, and a couple of tools and you’ve got yourself a much easier gardening experience. Video Tutorial:

#3. Five-Minute Self-Watering Container

If you were looking to make something that was super easy and with no time at all, this option is perfect for you. In fact, all you need is about 5 minutes and you’re good to go! Video Tutorial:

#4. Empty Glass Bottle Garden

Yes, that’s right. You can even turn an old glass bottle into a makeshift self-watering planter. Simply plant one per glass bottle, upturn the bottle itself, and you’ve now got a way to take care of your plants while you’re away for the weekend. Tutorial: designsponge

#5. Self-Watering Planter Conversion

Even if you don’t have any special containers there is a proper method out there for you. Simply transform an ordinary planter into one that feeds in water. Most often they can hold up to a week’s worth of water, meaning that you have cut down your work 7 times over! Tutorial: bucolicbushwick

#6. Large Self-Watering Containers

If you only have a few buckets, that can still work great as a self-watering option. Simply stack a few into one another, with one holding the water, and you’re golden! Tutorial: networx

#7. Recycled Bottle Watering Globes

Very similar to #4 but this time with the bottle placed into the garden container itself rather than its own container. This does require a slow-drip tool but if you use it, you really only need that. Tutorial: vegetablegardener

#8. Mini Self-Watering Wicking Bed

What’s great about this self-watering option is that it’s incredibly easy to set up and can host a surprisingly large number of plants at a time. Video tutorial:

#9. Self-Watering Cage Planter

One of the challenges of self-watering planters is that, while gardens are fine, most stalk-based vegetables require something to hold them upright so that they grow properly. Luckily this option does that beautifully. Simply use a small tomato cage for support, then using it to actually carry the veggies in when they’re done. Tutorial: frugalupstate

#10. Self-Watering Inverted Planter

A bit odd to look at at first glance, setting up an inverted self-watering planter is incredibly useful as you don’t have to worry about overwatering them while also ensuring that they are constantly taken care of throughout the weeks. Tutorial: instructables

#11. Self-Watering Foam Box

A super cheap and easy option that every gardener should consider, all you really need to do this is a styrofoam box container (often as a cooler in most dollar stores). Tutorial: thehandygardener

#12. Water Cooler Self-Watering Planter

Another great option. This actually is a much larger version of #4. Instead of an upturned glass bottle, instead, you are using a large upturned water cooler. Not only is it super easy to do, but because of the size, it’s actually quite aesthetically pleasing. Tutorial: bucolicbushwick

#13. Storage Box Self-Watering Planter

If you’ve got a few plastic storage boxes lying around, this is a great option for you. Not only does it work great for self-watering, but this method is also excellent due to its easy mobility as well! Tutorial: instructables

#14. Tote Self-Watering Tomato Planters

By adding a few plastic totes, you can create a great self-watering tomato garden. Simply follow the included steps and you’ll be amazed at just how quick and easy it is. Tutorial: lifehacker

#15. DIY Wooden Box Self-Watering Planters

Finally, you can create your own self-watering containers by using some pieces of wood from other projects. Not only do these planters work extremely well, but they feel very authentic to the outdoors and look amazing. It does require a bit more work than others on this list but the results speak for themselves. Tutorial: verticalveg