Glass Planters: DIY Self-Watering Indoor Planter Idea

Glass planters can be both beautiful and practical, and this DIY self-watering planter shows how to create one using a water reservoir and wick system that delivers steady moisture to plant roots. Instead of plastic containers, this decorative design uses glass light globes and clear vases to make a stylish indoor planter that keeps plants hydrated for days with minimal maintenance. The transparent design also makes it easy to monitor water levels while growing houseplants like ferns, pothos, herbs, and African violets.

Content may contain affiliate links. When you shop the links, we receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business.

If you've ever searched for glass planters or a DIY self-watering planter and felt uninspired by plastic bottles and makeshift setups, this project is for you.

This version skips the clunky, utilitarian look and leans into something that actually belongs in your home. Inspired by a now-discontinued design from Ballard Designs, I recreated the concept using glass light globes and clear vases. The result is a beautiful glass planter that doubles as a self-watering system, looking right at home on a windowsill while quietly keeping plants hydrated.

It's simple to make, low-maintenance once assembled, and easy to pull together using thrifted or leftover materials. These glass planters work especially well for houseplants like pothos, spider plants, and maidenhair ferns, which appreciate reliable moisture and look beautiful displayed indoors.

Why most self watering planters aren't pretty

They're more functional than stylish

Let's be real. Most self watering planters you can buy are made for utility, not design. They're often plastic, clunky, and have awkward shapes or visible tubes that scream "function over form." Sure, they keep your plants watered, but they don't exactly earn a spot on your styled shelves.

The infamous soda bottle trick

You've probably seen this DIY method floating around. Flip a plastic bottle upside down into the soil and let gravity do its thing. It works. But it's not cute. At all. Unless you're going for a greenhouse-meets-garage aesthetic, it just doesn't fit into most home decor.

But aesthetic matters too

I believe even practical solutions should look beautiful. When something sits on your windowsill, entry table, or open shelving every day, you want it to blend in or even add something special to the space. The typical self watering planter? It doesn't check that box.

That's when I got creative

This DIY came straight out of that problem. I had seen elegant versions years ago from Ballard Designs. They were sleek and modern and also very pricey. So I decided to make my own. I used clear glass globes meant for light fixtures and paired them with simple glass vases. The result? A decorative self watering planter that looks high-end but cost next to nothing.

It's easy, it works, and it looks like something you actually want in your home. Let me show you how I made it.

What makes this DIY self-watering planter unique

It's made with everyday glassware

Instead of plastic tubs or soda bottles, I used two things you can find at any thrift store or home center - a glass light globe and a clear vase. Both are inexpensive and easy to find, but when paired together? They look like something straight out of a high-end catalog.

The globe becomes the planter

The trick is in the flip. The glass light globe sits upside down and becomes the planter, while the clear vase underneath acts as the water reservoir. A wick runs from the soil down into the water, so as the soil dries out, it pulls up just the moisture it needs. No tubing, no pump, no batteries. Just a simple wick system doing the work quietly in the background.

And it actually looks good

Let's be honest. If something's going to sit on your kitchen Island or bookshelf, it needs to be easy on the eyes. This planter looks like intentional decor, not a science project. You can dress it up with pebbles, moss, or even a decorative tray underneath if you want to go full Pinterest.

It's practical too

Besides being pretty, this setup works especially well for forgetful waterers or when you're heading out of town for a few days. I've tested mine through hot, dry weeks and my plants stayed perfectly hydrated. No wilting, no soggy mess, just happy, thriving greenery.

Choosing the right vase for your water reservoir

Next, I needed to figure out what to use for the bottom section 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.

Tip: You can find inexpensive glass vases at thrift stores, craft stores or the dollar store.

Best plants for self-watering planters (and where to buy them)

For this project, I chose two types of ferns along with a Ficus Pumila (creeping fig) that I had growing in a plastic hanging pot. I was going for that soft, trailing effect - and the delicate vines of the creeping fig delivered. The ferns added great texture and helped balance the arrangement.

When choosing plants for glass self-watering planters, I recommend going with ones that enjoy consistently moist soil. For example, maidenhair ferns are a beautiful fit, as are pothos and spider plants, which adapt well to a wick system when their roots stay slightly damp.

If you love flowering houseplants, you can also try African violets - just be sure the wick delivers water to the root zone without oversaturating. Jasmine and stephanotis can work too, as long as your planter is in a sunny spot and you're attentive to pruning and airflow.

Tip: Choose smaller, more delicate plants for these dainty glass planters. This will help maintain the aesthetic balance and ensure the plants have enough space to thrive comfortably.

Where to buy Plants: I bought these new 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.