How to DIY an Indoor DIY Self-watering Planter (Ballard Designs style) -

Make these beautiful indoor self-watering planters using glass vases and glass globes from light fixtures. In this post you will learn all about this plant watering system and How to DIY an Indoor DIY Self-watering Planter (Ballard Designs style) for your home.

I’ve been researching this self-watering planter system looking for a “pretty” way to make them. I kept finding options that were…um…not pretty at all! (hello upside down 2-liter bottle of Pepsi!) For me, the use of plants in my home has always been to enhance my decor! Needless to say the idea of taking plastic soda bottles, cutting them in 1/2, and making self-watering planters did not appeal to me. I kept thinking how can I make a self-watering planter that is actually pleasing to the eye?

large planter with wick in water reservoir

Table of Contents

What is a Self-watering Planter?

Before we go any further let’s discuss what a self-watering planter is. The planters put together for this post include a special self-watering wick that is used to draw up water to the soil of a plant. The planter sits on another container that holds a reservoir of water, the wick essentially runs between the two. The wick puts the soil in contact with the water, and self-watering planters work through capillary action or wicking. As the plant roots absorb water the soil wicks up more, maintaining a constant level of moisture in the soil. Pretty cool, huh? This system substantially reduces overwatering and the seemingly pervasive problem of root rot bringing many to the conclusion that they do not have a green thumb. This system is great for…ahem…”over-waterers” it is also a great option for folks who travel a lot.

Glass Globes as Planters

Now back to the design. As I set out to find a way to make my own “pretty” self-watering planters my research brought me to glass planters from Ballard Designs. These planters are in a word, beautiful! They are also quite pricey so I knew finding a less expensive option was in order. We don’t often think about glass for planters but these were simply stunning so I knew I wanted to work with glass as the medium. As I considered options I knew I needed a glass container with a large opening (for the plants) and a smaller opening on the bottom (for the watering system). I eventually came up with a great idea to use glass globes (from light fixtures) as they have both a large opening and a smaller one. Lowes carries several types of replacement globes so I started there. I bought 3 different sizes that were different shapes – my plan to transform these light fixture globes into planters was underway.

Glass Vases for the Water Reservoir

Next, I needed to figure out what to use for the bottom of the planter where the water reservoir would be. I decided to check my storage unit for used glass vases and found 3 that would work. Here are the globes with their corresponding vases before planting.

large lighting globe on top if cylinder glass vase

cone style glass globe in a larger bubble ball

Supplies for Making this Project

*This post includes affiliate links, for more info on affiliate links visit here

Tips for Choosing Plants and Where to Buy

Choosing the right indoor plants: For this project, I decided to go with 2 types of ferns and a plant Ficus Pumila (Creeping Fig Plant) that was in a plastic hanging planter. I wanted the glass planters to have a hanging effect so these small trailing delicate vines would accomplish that and the ferns add a nice texture to the assembly of house plants. For a list of plants that are known to do well in self-watering containers please visit this list from Mind Plants. For a mixture of plants, you will want to choose small plants and avoid larger plants unless you plan to separate them.

Where to buy Plants: I bought these plants at Lowes while I was shopping for the lighting globes that way I could estimate how many I would need for this project. Plants typically come in plastic pots and are available at garden centers, grocery stores, and larger home improvement stores.

planters in front of the window in sunlight

Variations and Special Considerations

Various materials: My research revealed many different materials that could be used to make DIY self-watering planters. You can use PVC pipe cut into sections, or plastic bottles cut in 1/2 (the spout is inverted and holds the wick, and the bottom of the bottle holds the well of water.) You can also sit in a traditional plastic container the plant comes in and works a wick through the drainage holes. Then place the pot on a cup of water or another water-holding vessel.

String options: One article I read indicated that you can use regular cotton string. I decide to go with a self-watering wick that is specially made for this purpose as it is proven to work and was not very expensive.

Herbs: This setup would make a great kitchen herb garden. Most herbs would do well with this watering system as they require a lot of moisture. Picture a windowsill with several self-watering containers holding basil, thyme, rosemary, and cilantro. Beautiful!

Vegetables: My research also brought me to several outdoor vegetable garden setups. Most included tomato plants in a system for 5-gallon buckets. According to Mind Plants list cherry tomato plants do particularly well with this system.

How to Make a Pretty Indoor DIY Self-watering Planter

First cut a circle out of the coco liner that is a bit larger than the small opening of the lighting globe. With scissors cut a small hole in the middle of the coco liner circle. Feed the wick through the hole leaving approx 6″ hanging below and 6″ on the top. Tie a knot right above the hole in the coco liner piece then fit this piece into the globe. Sit the globe on the bottom of the planter. (vase)
Soak the moss in water and take sections of the moss and line the globe. The moss is more decorative than seeing the soil through the glass.
Add some potting mix to the bottom just above the coco liner circle and water for moist soil.
Remove each plant from its plastic pot and plant in the globe. Be sure to work the wick up in and around the plant roots so they get enough water.
Fill the vase with a good amount of water and place the planted globe in the opening with the wick hanging and touching the water.

Note: Step-by-step instructions are included below.

close up of two of the planters of this project

Caring for Your Self-watering Planters

Sunlight: Plants love the sun! Place your planters where it receives sunlight each day but not near a drafty window. My planters have been enjoying the afternoon sun that streams into my office.

Water level: Adjust the water level in the base container as needed. Keep in mind the soil surface may feel dry to the touch however the soil around the roots will be moist.

Wick adjustments: You can unravel the bottom of the wick for more water. For less, you can simply tie a knot in the wick as this is said to slow down the uptake of the water.

close up of a planter with wick showing in the vase with water

Frequently Asked Questions

Do self-watering planters cause root rot?

Some plants like orchids and succulents prefer a drier soil. These types of plants could potentially get root rot in a self-watering planter. It’s best to choose plants that like moist soil.

What plants are good for self-watering planters?

African violets, ferns, Philodendron/Pothos and many moisture-loving herbs and vegetables do well in this self-watering system.

Do I add rocks to the bottom of a self-watering planter?

It is not necessary to add rocks to the bottom of the water reservoir vase or glass globe when using this system.

Do I need a green thumb to care for a self-watering planter?

This system is intended to make plant care a breeze. Plant lovers who struggle to keep indoor plants alive often “over-care” for them by giving them an excess of water. Too much water and your plants are doomed! This system lets the plant decide how much water it needs taking the guesswork out of – to water plants or not.

5 from 3 votes