Recycling plastic soda bottles into planters for houseplants provides you with attractive planters that practically water themselves. Not only do they provide a practical solution to your plant’s needs, because they have a build-in reservoir for water, your plants never suffer from the effects of dry soil, and you are free to leave them unattended for several days without concern. You can safely display planters outside, but the reservoir may require frequent refills in warm weather.
Remove the label from a 2 liter soda bottle with a pair of scissors or sharp knife. Remove the cap and discard.
Wash the soda bottle in warm soapy water. Allow it to soak for 15 minutes to remove sticky residue from the label, if necessary. Scrape lightly with the knife if the residue resists your efforts.
Rinse the bottle with warm water to remove any soap residue and allow to air dry.
Draw a line around the circumference of the bottle four inches from the bottom. This is your cutting line.
Puncture a small hole on the line with the point of the scissors or knife. Cut along the line to remove the top of the bottle.
Set the bottom aside to make the water reservoir later.
Puncture three to four holes around the neck of the bottle with a small nail, approximately two inches from the cap. These form drainage holes for your planter.
Place a cotton ball in the mouth of the container to prevent soil from falling out of the planter, and to work as a wick to siphon moisture from the reservoir of water.
Turn the top upside down and fill it approximately three-fourths full with potting media.
Plant seedlings in the soil so the crown of the plants rest at soil level. Fill in around the roots with soil and firm in down gently with your hands to secure the plant.
Add 2 inches of water to the reserved bottom of the bottle. This forms the water reservoir for your planter.
Place the planter inside the bottom so the neck faces downward. The mouth of the bottle should touch — or nearly touch — the bottom of the reservoir.
Water your plants by lifting the planter and adding fresh water to the reservoir.