Upcycled Self Watering Planter

Up-cycled self watering planter.

Creating life through the same trash that has been deliberately polluting our localities and infiltrating our lungs.

Our main motive with this project is to bring light to what's been discarded and to uncover the process of creating an article that is beneficial amongst all the species.

The self watering planter is also particularly beneficial for individuals who have been diagnosed with ADHD and the elderly who are prone to arthritis and other diagnoses that limit mobility.

The self-watering planter makes plant care easier by supplying water gradually through the wick by

helping in keeping the soil moisture more consistent and also reducing the risk of overwatering.

- 2 litre bottle

- Water

- Hand razor

- Marker

- Measuring tape/scale

- Screw driver bit/nail

- Cotton rope (wick)

- Loose soil ( Cocopeat soil, loose mountain soil and black soil )

Preparing & cleaning any debris in the bottle.

Acquire an any empty

bottle and peel off the label and make sure to wash both the inside and outside thoroughly and then dry out the inside of the bottle making sure to not leave any moisture behind.

1.⁠ ⁠Place the bottle upright.

2.⁠ ⁠Measure approximately 13 cm from the bottom. (dimensions and length can vary)

3.⁠ ⁠Mark this point with a marker.

4.⁠ ⁠Make marks around the bottle at the same height.

1.⁠ ⁠Carefully make a small starting cut with the cutter.

2.⁠ ⁠Follow the marked line around the bottle.

3.⁠ ⁠Separate the bottle into two pieces.

4.⁠ ⁠Keep both pieces.

The bottom piece will become the water reservoir.

And make sure that the cap doesn’t touch the bottom of the water reservoir like shown in the picture.

1.⁠ ⁠Remove the blue cap from the bottle.

2.⁠ ⁠Take the sharp screwdriver bit or a nail or any sharp tool to make a hole.

3.⁠ ⁠Carefully make a small hole in the centre of the cap.

4.⁠ ⁠Make the hole large enough for the cotton rope to pass through.

1.⁠ ⁠Take the cotton rope.

2.⁠ ⁠Pass one end through the hole in the cap.

3.⁠ ⁠Pull the rope through until roughly 10 cm is above the cap.

4.⁠ ⁠Leave roughly 7 cm below the cap.

5.⁠ ⁠Make sure the rope is held securely by the cap.

1.⁠ ⁠Take the upper section of the bottle.

2.⁠ ⁠Turn it upside down.

3.⁠ ⁠Put the cap back onto the bottle.

4.⁠ ⁠Place the upper section inside the bottom section.

5.⁠ ⁠The cap should now be at the bottom of the planting section.

6.⁠ ⁠The lower section will act as the water reservoir.

7. ⁠Add a small amount of water to the bottom section.

8.⁠ ⁠Make sure the lower end of the cotton wick touches the water.

9 leave it for several minutes.

10 After about 8 minutes, check the wick.

11 You should see water moving upward through the cotton.

This happens because of capillary action.

We began by placing a layer of small pebbles inside the bottle. A layer of sand was added along with the pebbles. This layer creates space for excess water and supports proper drainage inside the planter. It also helps prevent waterlogging around the roots.

The cotton thread was kept upright at the centre of the bottle while the pebbles and sand were carefully placed around it. The thread needs to remain in the centre because it acts as the water-wicking material for the self-watering system.

Soil Layer

The next layer was prepared using a soil mixture containing cocopeat, local mountain soil, and black soil. These materials were mixed well before being placed inside the bottle.

The soil mixture was gently added around the cotton thread, keeping the thread straight and centred. Care was taken not to cover or disturb the thread completely, as it needs contact with the soil for moisture to travel through the planter.

The plant was carefully placed inside the prepared planter. A small space was made in the centre of the soil mixture to accommodate the root ball without disturbing the cotton thread.

The plant was positioned upright, keeping its roots gently settled into the soil. The remaining space around the roots was filled with the prepared soil mixture and pressed lightly so the plant stayed firmly in place.

The cotton thread remained in contact with the soil, allowing it to carry moisture upward and keep the root area hydrated.

Your finished planter now has:

Water reservoir → Cotton wick → Soil → Plant

The cotton wick continuously transfers small amounts of water upward through capillary action, making plant care simpler while giving a used plastic bottle a new purpose.