Self-Watering

Self-watering plant containers are an excellent way to conserve water while keeping your plants healthy.


​Container gardening makes it possible to garden in small spaces or in those areas with poor soil quality. One of the biggest problems with container gardening is the need for frequent watering. This is especially true for unglazed ceramic pots, which allow a large amount of water to evaporate, and for gardeners in areas with a lot of hot, dry weather.

DIY self-watering container (Gamzeyaavor) Public Domain

Self-watering plant containers feature a water reservoir below the plant medium (soil), separated by a perforated platform. The platform keeps the soil out of the water, but it allows roots access to the water supply. Being relatively sealed under the soil, water evaporation is significantly reduced, while providing your plants with all the water they need.

You can make your own self-watering plant container out of discarded 5-gallon buckets. Give it a try and let us know how well it works for you!