Skip Expensive Self-Watering Pots: Try This IKEA DIY Instead

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There's a lot to love about self-watering pots. They mean you have fewer daily plant care chores, can keep your plants hydrated while you're away on vacation,  and can help you avoid wasting water. Unfortunately, the convenience can come with a hefty price tag. But you don't have to spend big to get the same basic benefits. With a simple garden find from IKEA, a planter liner, and a cotton wick, you can DIY a self-watering container for less.

To make one of these, you'll first need a basic plant pot. The simple but elegant IKEA FÖRENLIG is an excellent option. If you're going with a non-IKEA find, be sure to choose one without drainage holes in the bottom and made of a non-porous material like plastic, which will keep water in. It should also have a lip or narrower section near the bottom to support the liner. 

You'll also need a planter liner that is just a bit too big for your pot. You'll want it to sit on top of the lip in the upper section of the planter instead of completely fitting inside. This creates a space beneath the liner that can hold water. Your plant grows in the liner above, while a cotton cord or wick draws moisture upward from the reservoir as needed. 

To create your simple self-watering pot, begin by cutting your pot liner so that it is level with the top of your pot. Then, check that it has drainage holes and, if necessary, cut some into the bottom. Next, thread your cord or wick through one of those holes. Make sure part of the wick is inside the liner, and a long tail hangs out so that it can rest in the water reservoir. Then, you're ready to add your growing medium and plant to the liner. Finally, fill the bottom of your IKEA FÖRENLIG pot with water and put the liner inside. The finished setup should leave the plant and growing medium above the water, with the wick connecting them to the reservoir below.

@mariahgrows

IKEA Plant Pot Hack ⬇️ I really truly love it so much & the bonus is that this set up is SO EASY to maintain. Just refill the reserve when the soil has dried out A few more details ⬇️ 🪴 What plants will this work for? 🪴 Most houseplants will thrive in this set up 🙌 🪴 How does it work? The cotton cord absorbs the moisture & passes it on to the soil as it dries out. It really takes the stress out of over or underwatering 👏👏👏 🪴 Now what? Just refill the water occasionally & watch your plant THRIVE! It's the best feeling when things just 💫work✨ which is exactly what happened when this idea fell into place #gardening #gardeningtips

♬ This Will Be – audios4you

Once you've made the switch to a self-watering setup, keep in mind that your plant's feeding needs may change. Instead of using a water-soluble liquid fertilizer for your plants, try adding a slow-release granular fertilizer to the growing medium in these pots. You may also need to supplement calcium and magnesium, depending on what you're growing and the type of soil you're using.

If you want to add an extra feature to your DIY self-watering pot, consider putting in a water level gauge like the Yardwe water level gauges. This can make it easier to tell when the reservoir needs a refill. Of course, you can also just eyeball it or use the finger test to check if your soil is thirsty.