It’s so easy! Learn how to water plants while you’re away with this incredibly easy wine bottle plant waterer project.
This five minute recycled wine bottle project allows the perfect amount of water flow, keeping your potted plants alive with ease!
It’s funny that I’m writing this post in the middle of what feels like a monsoon. We have seen so much rain over the past couple weeks that this isn’t even necessary to water plants right now (sorry to those in California, wish we could share).
But as soon as I leave town, we all know what will happen – my beautiful patio plants that I have been nurturing for the past few months will be left in the scorching heat, unattended, without a drop of rain in sight.
Wine Bottle Plant Waterer
It’s the dilemma I face each summer when we travel. Do I pay someone to come over and water plants? No. I hydrate them like I hydrate myself. With wine. Okay, with water, but someone has to drink the wine to make this possible.
I’ve brought you some fun plant ideas in the past, including posts about the best easy care plants, my favorite Meyer Lemon trees, Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, and my favorite ZZ plant.
“We might think we are nurturing out garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.”
-Jenny Uglow
I may not have the greenest thumb, but I am an avid recycler. I like to make the most from what I already have. And wine bottles? Well, I have a few of those.
Supply List
- Wine bottle
- Wine bottle cork
- Nail
How to Water Plants with a Wine Bottle
I created a self watering system from wine bottles in just a few easy steps:
- First, you’ll want to rinse and fill your wine bottle with water.
- Stick a cork in it. Literally! Simply push it down as far as it will go.
- Next, using a nail (preferably, if you can find one- I used a screw for these images because it was the easiest thing to find at the moment) create a hole going through the entire length of the cork and remove.
- Insert wine bottle upside down into plant and it will be hydrated for up to three days!
Water Plants While on Vacation
This project takes less than five minutes and your plants will thank you. They’re thirsty, and so are you! Everybody wins with this wine bottle recycling project.
You can also do this with water bottles by creating a hole in the top of the plastic lid, but wine bottles offer additional watering time and are a little more aesthetically pleasing, don’t you think?
Tips
If you’re struggling with keeping your potted plants from getting too dry, here’s a few tips that might help!
- Use a high-quality potting soil. One that holds and releases moisture will be extra beneficial!
- Too much water isn’t good either. Make sure that your plant has plenty of drainage so it only takes on the water it needs.
- Adding a layer of moss on top of your soil can also help prevent moisture loss – it’s just another layer of protection!
- Try the diaper trick! Yes… diapers. Especially if your container is shallow, it can be beneficial to place a diaper in the base of your container. It holds (and stores) water and helps keep the soil moist!
I’m not sure who is more anxious to see the sun, my flowers or me. Happy summer and happy travels!
Looking for more ways to recycle wine bottles (or excuses to need them)? Look no further. Learn how to make a Wine Bottle Tiki Torch!
How big does the hole need to be? We were excited about this idea, but the cork seems to swell and no water flows out.
Do you have to use a cork? I think it would work by just leaving the bottle open, wouldn’t it?
The cork helps facilitate the slow drink. Have a beautiful Fourth of July weekend!
I need to keep a tulsi plant hydrated for a week. How will I do that?
This has to be the most innovative and awesome idea for watering plants I’ve ever seen. It’s even pretty to look at.
I might do this even when I’m not away, I like it so much.
Thank you, Starr!
What a genius idea, and so perfect when traveling for a few days. And as a bonus you have to have a wine bottle to make look pretty – can’t wait to try!
Right? There’s more than one reason to enjoy a bottle.