Super easy DIY self-watering planter from any container

📽️ FAQ video about this setup: • DIY Self-Watering Plan...
📰 Diagram, instructions & supplies:
www.prettypurpledoor.com/diy-...
How to create your own self-watering planter. Turn any container into a self-watering planter. Very easy to follow instructions. No one is able to explain this in a simple way but the process is very easy to follow!
Materials you'll need:
1- Planter / Container that you want to make self-watering (must be deep enough and not have any drainage holes); recommendations for containers are available at the link above.
2- PVC Pipe
3- Divider/False Bottom
Option 1: Hardware Cloth
Option 2: Rubber feed bowl
4- Garbage Bag
5- 2 solo cups
6- Potting soil
7- Plants/Flowers
Tools:
Hacksaw or pipe cutter
Drill
Shovel
Hose
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🌷Helping you create a vibrant, manageable 4-season landscape that is uniquely you.🌷
I’m Amy and I help DIY beginner landscaping gardeners design impressively beautiful gardens that bring color to your landscape all four seasons, show off your personality and suit your lifestyle.
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[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Still have a question? I probably answered it in this follow-up video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYi6mJ1uicxopJI

[@zmalqp555]

Hydrologic soil, that's what I used.

[@Ms.Byrd68]

What about 'drainage'? If you're planting 'Veggies', they require a degree of Air and many don't like 'sitting in Water or soggy soil.

[@sertimins]

you should make a Styrofoam stick same length as the watering pipe and let it float inside. if it disappear, water went dry.

[@ShannonStaples1]

That's a BRILLIANTLY SIMPLE solution to know how full the water level is! Thanks!

[@bwilks3056]

You could essentially also treat the tube like the oil tube on a car. Stick something inside to see what the level is below.

[@msalexxa2012]

🙏❤️

[@smalltownpicker]

I saw someone used a cork with a wooden skewer as a stick. Smart. You just have to make sure not to over fill it if you don’t do a drain hole

That's awesome!!!

[@terriestress8362]

Hat video had to be the best tutorial for self watering containers I've watched so far. If you explain all your gardening tutorials like that...then I'm in! 🎉🎉 Thanks for taking the time to explain plainly to us novice gardeners!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

So nice of you, thanks! You'll have to watch some of my other videos to find out 😊

[@JameeWoodard]

🤯🤯🤯 how is this not the number one video on KZbin. It is the easiest video ever!!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Haha! Come on KZbin!! Make it #1 😊 glad it was helpful!

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Would like to point out that you CAN use one with drainage holes in it. Just line the inside of the planter with a commercial grade trash bag first. Make sure you do not have a sharp point on that PVC pipe. Just 4 'v' notches is all you need to let water in. And you can drill some 1/2" holes (at 90 degrees from each other) about 2: up along that pipe to nearly the top. Allows more air to the roots that way. Also, to keep mosquitoes out of your planter, place a nylon knee high over the top of that pipe and secure with zip tire or good rubber band. Allows air in and you can water through it. Placing landscape fabric on top of that hardware cloth will help prevent soil from falling through into the water. It also will allow more air to the roots vs black plastic bag. Roots need air too. Instead of packing that cup you can use some sponges. They wick up pretty well. Or stuff in some cotton wash clothes or cotton socks. Soil is ok, but the others will work too. About the drain hole - you might want to glue some 20 mesh metal (stainless is preferred) screen on the inside over the hole to keep bugs out. Nice setup you have though.

[@sandy-mr5gj]

I did the self wicking method one year in totes for tomatoes - the best crop ever. One thing left out of video is leaving some air space above the water line - crucial for the plants - about an inch or little more but that wouldn't be possible with the garbage bag method. I just used fine screen and soil stayed in place without bag. Still, very helpful video for newbies. Just wanted to share my own experience.

[@gigicostlow4414]

Yes! I did some like this but I did leave about an inch and a half of air space. I used garbage bags like she did and it caused me problems with my tomato plants. We had like 3 days non-stop rain. The excess water couldn't drain out of the top part fast enough so my tomatoes were drowning. A little trickled past the cup but it wasn't enough to keep up with the inches of water sitting on top. There was water coming from the drain hole but that was from the tube and what was going down between the plastic and the pot. I actually covered the tube to keep the rain out of it. I went to the store and bought more potting soil and landscaping cloth to put over the screen I had in there. I pulled the plants out, dumped the soil (it was like mud), drilled another drain hole in the bottom opposite the other one, then set it all up again using the landscape cloth. Next time we got a lot of rain the water was able to drain through the landscape cloth and go out the drain holes. Worked great!

[@cherylbelvin4775]

Use Landscaping fabric instead ofPlastic

[@sandy-mr5gj]

@@cherylbelvin4775 correct and i did

[@laurieitis]

I agree - I left about an inch for air space like I saw in another video. Use landscape fabric instead of plastic because that’s what I had on hand.

[@xrayest4007]

@@laurieitis , which video did you see that mentioned air space? I want to research all of this before I dig into making these. TY in advance

[@Caddywoman]

I use Perlite as a wicking medium. A hard packed dirt does not let much water flow through. As an example...Perlite lets more water through than concrete. I exaggerated this to show a comparison. Also, I use a weed block fabric at the bottom to keep the roots out of the reservoir. But, having said all that, you are so right about so many videos making this look sooo difficult.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

How would the perlite wick the water? It's not really a solid material but I'm very curious.

[@dreamingrightnow1174]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor I wondered that too. Maybe she meant vermiculite which is absorbent..? I had a similar question though. It seems like something 'wickier' would be better, like cotton rolled up or peat or..? Have you tried different mediums? This video is fantastic; just clear description with no fluff. Thx.

[@aricar325]

Thank you for creating this video with such a simple solution. Good engineering shouldn't be complicated, and your excellent tutorial is straight to the point. Brava!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Glad it was helpful

[@DK-qx3lv]

I love seeing the different types of wicking containers, but you really simplified it. Thank you

[@MrsIceT]

To support your false bottom at the right height, you could also use additional cups with the bottom cut out (so they don't float).

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Great idea!!!

[@ddub22]

I have looked at three or four other videos but this one beats them all. I sort of got the concept in the construct but I didn’t get the why of it and you do that beautifully. I’m so glad I found this process before I planted my whiskey barrel planters this year. Thanks again!

[@dag0n89]

wow just wow, how do you not have a million subscribers, you're really something special, so wholesome and informative, just an overall joy to watch, can't wait to make one of those :)

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Aww thanks so much for the comment! I hope you make one that's 10x better than mine 😊

[@bwilks3056]

Wow. This is the best version I’ve seen. I actually didn’t walk away scratching my head. Thank you 🙏

[@doogiehowser78]

i just love simple solutions that cost a fraction of the price a store bought one costs , improvisation is almost a lost skill and people have become reliant on mass produced products which in turn ends up adding to our refuse problem , so yes i have a great respect for people like this lady who think up easy diy alternatives like this which utilises thinks we already have in our possession

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thank you so much! A little creativity goes a longgggg way. I love your handle too, I used to watch Doogie Howser every day! I asked my parents if I could have a ladder to my bedroom so that my best friend could come to my room without having to knock on the door -- like Vinnie hahaha

[@doogiehowser78]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor haha thats funny , about the ladder it gave me a chuckle

[@theymademepickaname1248]

That's why I sort of support the supply chain issues. People need to stop buying so much crap.

[@douglaskhan4692]

Thank you for sharing. It is a really easy method to make the self watering containers. They are really expensive where we live and I needed an idea for my seedlings. It was perfect for us to make and use. Douglas from Trinidad W.I.

[@grannypantsification]

So excited to have found you! I’ve been searching for a self watering window box. Now I can make my own without spending nearly $200! 💕

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Yay so excited you found me too!! ❤️

[@wild_child677]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor where did you get the planter container that you used? The rubber feed pan seemed to fit so great so I was curious where I might get one! Thanks! Love the video! So glad someone finally made this simple enough for me to be willing to venture out and try it!

[@natyann8]

This is the best video I have watched showing how to make this. Brava!!! thank you so so much!

[@debk5325]

People do make this look very difficult. Thank you for simplifying it. Now I get it. TY TY!

[@terrivejvoda7442]

Good job of simplifying the steps! Can't wait to make some. thank you!

[@lesliescully3544]

This is exactly what I was looking to make. Thank you.

[@dmac4382]

I just went through 3 prior videos making this system look so complicated. I knew there had to be an easier way-and there you were! Thanks so much, looking forward to viewing your other content.

[@lorithurston7288]

I agree and method 2 is even easier. So you really just need a largish container that nests Inside whatever pot you are using. Clever!!!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Glad it helped! I thought the same thing when I was trying to figure it out, too. Some methods are so complicated.

[@davidmarks509]

I have been watching these videos, about making these wicking pots, and I had no idea how to do it until now. Ty very much for sharing

[@KWiserealtor]

That second method seems really doable. Thanks for explaining this!

[@BunnyLang]

I enjoy your ingenuity--and definitely your blueprint. Thank you.

[@iivirulentii]

What a great tutorial! That actually really did seem much easier when you explained it. I watched a few other videos but wasn't immediately understanding why there needed to be a hole near the top of the reservoir for the water to come out, but you made it very clear! I was thinking maybe lining the reservoir with 4 additional solo cups would make it level in place of the PVC idea since if you'll already have cups lying around. I tend to overwater my plants so I'm hoping this will stop me!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thank you I'm glad it helped. No engineering degree required 😂. I like the idea of using solo cups that should work well. Good luck 😊

[@paulwarner3749]

I think a drain hole can also be functional/important as a reservoir overflow for when or if the planter is out in steady rain for an extended period.

[@marcygrote3800]

@@paulwarner3749 where you the drain hole be placed? I thought the overflow served that purpose?

[@ceem729]

I agree, you’re self watering system works great! Thank you for sharing improved valuable videos ❤

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

You are so welcome!

[@randomsaltyperson1148]

THE BEST AND EASIEST INSTRUCTIONS EVER!!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!

[@dannramirez9]

You are the best!!!! Thank you for such a great and simple explanation. I finally understand what I need for do. Thank you thank you, thank you!!

[@rideordiechickdietoride4557]

Great video, thanks for showing step-by-step instructions.

[@teddibear6033]

Thank you for sharing! I'm slow as trying new things and research them forever it seems like, but I have been wanting to make these for years. I have been watching intermittently all kinds of videos. They all seem simple to you think you are going to start one. Then you don't have what they used etc...But what I realized, is that I didn't understand the whole process fully. So I have been nervous to try my own thing. Thank you for explaining it all so well. I feel like I can finally do it now and know it should work...LOL!

[@sweetsue4204]

Girl….👊🏻 We have multiple containers on our senior community grounds, maintained by the residents of the building, and sometimes it’s a lot to ask someone to keep up with the watering. Sometimes life gets in the way. I’ve been looking for a good solution, and this one wins the prize. I was planning a trip to Tractor supply next week, as a matter of fact. I’ll add some of those feed trays to my list, and contemplate creative ways to modify the containers we already have. We might be able to create reservoirs in perlite-filled trays to settle those established containers into. Hmmm…..you got me thinking. Ahhh…..solutions at every turn. You gotta love KZbin. 💕

[@sandspike190]

This is gonna be perfect for my plants at my air bnb! Thank you!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Awesome! Glad it's helpful!

[@h2o2828]

Finally I understand it now. Great explanation, Thank you!

[@cilenenascimento3347]

This was so informative and helpful! Thanks so much :)

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

You're very welcome 😊

[@TriggaTreDay]

My watermelons 🍉 this year are going to love this!!! I didn’t do right by them last year by letting them dry out so many times.

[@ericbilliter3354]

Thanks, that's my 1st spring project!

[@MyBUVideos]

This is most practical that I have seen that is supported with explanations. Thx.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

You're very welcome. Glad I could help!

[@shingj4007]

This is the most comprehensible of this method and good presentation! Right on time, tomorrow is going to be warm in the Chicago area, I can work on the containers in my patio. Thanks for sharing.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@laurieitis]

This inspired me to convert 5 (so far) plastic planters from Costco to self watering. The lower maintenance the better!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

So much easier!!!

[@latoyabentley5156]

thank u!!! Istruggle to understand this concept until you provided this informative video!!!

[@gracesalaysay2366]

This is excellent! You could use a layer of leca or clay pebbles or pumice/lava rock as your wicking material and then add a couple inches more of the lava rock, then add your potting medium.

[@MisterJeffy]

Brilliant, I've been looking for a way to isolate part of my balcony rail planter to prevent the always-thirsty Creeping Jenny from turning brown. Now I know how to rig a miniature self-watering insert. Thanks!

[@tanyaszopper1249]

Great idea!! Thank you!

[@jerrywilson2713]

Tyvm Amy, you’ve been helpful I’m def gonna try and make some of those next season.

[@analyst8258]

You made it so simple, fantastic!! You are amazing!!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Aww, thanks for your comment. I'm so glad it was helpful to you :)

[@tonyromero5700]

Wonderful explanation of this job

[@thomasleebrown3136]

I'm impressed; thanks for the education.

[@mariecoleexperience4494]

Super simple... perfect thanks!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@donnagilio8938]

wow. you made this so easy!

[@irq001]

I really liked the idea of building false bottom using PVC pipe and hardware cloth. This not only creates a water chamber, but also helps achieve air pruning of the roots due to an air gap between the soil and water. Dig more holes, using 3" hole saw , on the 4 sides of the pot and you have a perfect air pruning self watering pot. I am going to try this idea on half barrel planters that I intend to make by cutting off 55 gallon plastic drum barrels in half and I am sure this will really turn out good. Thanks a lot , Pretty Purple Door, for sharing your brilliant idea.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Sounds like a great idea! Glad the video was helpful. I do love the pvc hardware cloth setup the best. It's been working great for me!

[@marcygrote3800]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor what does aks mean by "Dig more holes, using a 3" hole saw", and what is air pruning?

[@quebirt]

Well done. Easy to understand and some good ideas. Thank you.

[@wireguy123]

Awesome....exactly what I needed. Thanks

[@johnhuong7039]

excellent simple planter

[@ronaldhemmings2476]

Your video was excellent and educational .

[@TriggaTreDay]

Very smart. Thanks for the tip.

That was an amazing idea!!

[@user-gi9sl5xe5f]

So neat !! so easy !! great share . .thank you !!

[@SD-qo2jq]

Great video! Thank you!

[@mw7882]

Excellent! Thank you so much. 👏👏👏🙏🏽❤️

[@jct2004]

This is great!

[@brittanybrown7992]

I like both ideas but when you showed the 2nd one I was blown away!!!! lol I’ll be doing that one!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Yes that's the easiest way, but costs a little more up front 😁

[@zmalqp555]

Your first sentence described my thoughts right away. Thank you

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Lol I know, right

[@zmalqp555]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor I did find a soil that holds moisture for days. Once plants mature to fruiting I had to water more.

[@adelle4528]

Thank you this video is the best I’ve seen 🦋

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thanks for watching I'm so glad it helped!

[@tinashaw22]

Thank you! You made this much easier to follow😂

[@renee2005]

Awesome, thanks for sharing 🥰

[@charlesdimino6524]

I built it it works perfectly I'm going on vacation it holds 1 gallon good for 3-4 weeks

[@DeriDiaz]

Thank you so much for taking the scary out of it! Can't wait to have one.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@alexa574]

Great ideas thank you!

[@HeiderosesPhotograph]

I seen a few videos and nothing was difficult, they were as easy as your video, TFS :)

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Video is 4 years old. Perhaps better ones have popped up since.

[@buffyplays2577]

the drawing diagram was very helpful compared to other people who try to explain this method thank u

[@cottagebliss]

Great ideas!! Thanks

[@pamelagrimes3453]

This was useful. Thank you

[@MrClarkisgod]

Being a former diesel mechanic, I made a sight glass to see the water level out pop bottle. Probably overkill, but you can easily tell when you are getting low. I used a glass Coke bottle, which I got from the Hispanic foods aisle at Wal-mart. A mason jar would work great also.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Nice. My bf is a diesel mechanic too! I just use the hole I drilled in the side to tell. Once water starts streaming out I know it's filled 😊

[@lydiahubbell6278]

Can you explain better? Make a video or share a picture?

[@mrstedrow9782]

Awesome!!! Thank you!!!

[@Sketching4Sanity]

Great video. Much thankx ✊🏿🔥

[@janelast5177]

Thanks a lot! Very clear explanations

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandponics]

That is great, I can possibly use this idea with the sandponics beds that I am planning to create.

[@terrychrist1383]

I like both your ideas very much. I put broken terracotta and styrofoam in the bottom of my planters and I have in that size pot I have about three holes in it. I also use that pipe, I bury it the length of my roses roots to where I can add nutrients and water from it and my roses do a lot better that way than just watering from the ground. I am going to try your method because I really like it 👍 thank you very much. God bless you and your family. 🙏❤️🤗 I am a new sub to your channel. Anything to do with plants I love.🌹🌹

[@StephStruble]

Love it, just what I was looking for, thank you! I definitely subbed your channel

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thanks for the sub!

[@cynthiacarr2093]

Awesome so easy tyfs😁❤👏🏾

[@gardenhero4579]

very nice..keep on sharing

[@RajiTripathi]

Brilliant!!! With frequent travels, I am always facing the challenge of keeping my plants adequately watered. Your second idea is the simplest solution I have ever seen. I might glue a wide mouth funnel to catch enough rainwater when Mother Narure permits it. Thanks for inspiring me.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

I like the funnel idea!

[@annadonahue4119]

Mechanics use a large square funnel to catch used motor oil when changing oil in a vehicle. That big square-topped plastic funnel would increase the water-catching area and also prove easier to stabilize.

[@johnbutler307]

Great video thanks

[@tunisharenee]

This video earned my subscription! Dope!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Yay! Thank you!!

[@HaiNguyen-un7bc]

Great video

[@bmcgorakhpur5787]

V nicely explained

[@mundijongWA]

Thank you so much for your video!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

You are so welcome!

[@SusanRogersMakingItWork4Me]

I have plastic bags at te bottom of my containers, it holds the moisture at the level I need without going stagnant. I live in Arkansa, the heat here wil make the water stagnant. Great vidio for cooler climates!!😊

[@petermccormick2656]

Great Job! I can’t drill a drain hole, so I’m going to use an old fashioned dip stick.

[@fins59]

Great idea, a dip stick is better than a drain hole if you ask me.

[@trenchantsometimes5149]

You rock girl......got your ducks all in a row !!!!!

[@user-lo2rg8qh9l]

v clever easiest one and best design i've seen sofar ok I'm impressed.... so simple

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thank you very much. Glad it was helpful

[@beatrevino4826]

I also liked and subscribed ☺...I'm going to watch some more of your videos

[@pragmatic111]

I twerked your idea using a plastic saucer for the shelf.cutting a hole in middle for a yogurt container and side hole for pipe. Thanks!!!!!

[@paulettek3682]

I have been using 18gallon totes. Cut out the inside of the lid to act as the flat support. Hold that up with 5-8 plastic containers from frosting or asiago cheese or deli containers. Drill a couple holes about 1/2 inch above inside platform for excess drainage. I use weed fabric with tiny holes to hold the soil. I cut a piece of pvc for the corner to fill with water. Fill with potting mix and you are good to plant. Definitely cheaper than her solution. Roots grow through fabric to the water. Soil wicks water. Water at soil level until roots reach bottom.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Sounds like a great idea! Not sure how it's cheaper than some pvc and a piece of hardware cloth but I love the idea.

[@vivianhudacek1556]

Thanks!

[@suzyq6767]

Thank you.

[@JazzTechie]

How do I keep the roots out of the water? I know seedling trays sitting in water start rooting into it instead of staying confined to the soil.

[@ricdan4495]

excellent

[@augustinerhodes198]

That is brilliant!!! Thank you for sharing this method. It is just what I was looking for. I wonder if I could do the same idea with cloth grow bags? Thanks for sharing this video.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Using the grow bags as an insert in the container would definitely work to keep the soil away from the water. But you'd have to cut a hole in the bottom of the bag. Unfortunately, I think grow bags allow water to drain/pass through, so you wouldn't be able to make a water reservoir at the bottom of them to keep your soil moist.

[@augustinerhodes198]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor Thank you so much.

[@eyesofthecervino3366]

For creating a water reservoir in a cloth grow bag you might look at using an olla. You can even DIY one out of a cheap terra cotta pot.

[@annawillseek382]

Love it