How to Water Plants When You're Away
Looking for a solution to keeping your plants watered while you're away? Here are three easy DIY self-watering planters that will keep your plants healthy when you're on vacation.
Whether you're going out of town (or just lazy, we don't judge), these self-watering ideas for plants are game-changers.
Your plants can have separation issues. Well, not like the separation anxiety our family pet may experience when we have to take a trip without them. But you still should have a plan for how to water plants when you are away on that much-deserved vacation.
Watch the video above and get the step-by-step instructions below for three simple ways you can keep your container gardens and houseplants watered while you're away from home.
DIY Steps: Self-Watering Herb Garden
Supplies
- 2 plastic planters
- drill
- small multipurpose drill bit
- roll of cotton cord
- scissors
- potting soil
- plants (herbs)
- bricks
1. Drill Holes
Drill a hole in the bottom of the planter every few inches. In our example in the video above, we drilled 25 holes in a medium-sized, rectangular plastic planter.
2. Cut Cotton Cord
Cut a 12-inch piece of cotton cord for each hole you drilled into the bottom of the planter.
3. Thread Cotton Cord and Tie Knots
Insert a cotton cord into each hole, then tie a knot in the cord on the underside of the planter so a 4- to 5-inch tail hangs out the bottom of the planter.
4. Fill Planter with Soil
Add potting soil to the planter, pulling the strings up through the soil. The end of the strings inside the pot should be covered entirely by the potting soil.
5. Plant Herbs
Tuck herbs into the soil.
6. Add Bricks & Water to Second Planter
Add bricks to the second planter. These will suspend the planter with the herbs above the floor of the second planter, making space for water.
7. Nest Planters
Place the planter with the herbs inside the planter with the bricks. The cotton cord will slowly wick water into the potting soil, providing constant moisture to your herbs. Check the water level in the bottom planter every two weeks.
The Best Self-Watering Planters for Your Home, Deck or Patio
Take the work and worry out of watering flowers, veggies and herbs when you use a planter that gives plant roots the right amount of moisture.
Make an Easy Wicking Jug for Houseplants
Water your houseplants while you are away by creating a simple wicking jug.
- Gather indoor potted plants into a circle. A kitchen counter is a good spot.
- Fill an empty milk gallon jug with water.
- Cut pieces of cotton cord long enough to extend from deep inside the gallon jug of water to the roots of each of your potted plants.
- Put one end of the cotton cord in the gallon jug of water and bury the other end of cotton cord near the roots of your plants.
Make a Simple Plastic-Bottle Waterer
- Punch Holes in a Plastic Water Bottle: Use a skewer to punch two to three small holes in a 12-ounce water bottle.
- Fill Planter with Soil: Put a base level of soil in the planter. Position the water bottle on top of the soil with the bottle top facing upward. Fill the planter will soil to the level of the water bottle top.
- Add Plants and Water: Tuck your plants into the soil and fill the bottle with water. Replenish the water in the bottle as needed.
