If you have a load of empty bottles lying around don’t toss them in the bin just yet – experts say they can be transformed into highly efficient tools to help your plants thrive
It can be hard to know what to do with your empty water bottles once you’re finished with them – but experts say not to throw them out. Whether they’re plastic or glass, used bottles can be turned into vital watering systems for plants.
While you may be familiar with the classic watering can, that won’t cut it for thirsty plants. Watering systems are usually set up for plants that need a constant stream of H20. Rice and watercress are two crops that require a lot of water to grow. Equally, herbaceous plants like hostas, columbines and yarrows require a lot of moisture, particularly during a hot spell.
Plus, as the climate warms up, watering your plants frequently is becoming more important than ever. The UK experienced the warmest start to May in 2025 on record, according to the Met Office.
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Of course, purchasing an actual watering system can get expensive. Luckily, this genius used bottle hack can be just as effective.
Experts at Greenhouses Direct write: “You don’t need to spend a fortune on a watering system in container gardens or patios. Use a plastic or glass bottle to create a unique individual watering system for your pots, tubs and containers, even hanging baskets.”
When it comes to glass bottles, you should make a hole in the lid or cork. Then you simply fill it with water, turn it upside down and insert it into the soil.
Slow watering process
They explain: “The water will trickle out slowly and feed water to the plants. When it’s empty, just refill and start again.”
If you don’t have the right tools to make a hole in your glass bottle, they advise that you can loosen the screw lid instead. This will also allow a sufficient amount of water to trickle out to your plants.
For those with leftover plastic bottles, Greenhouses Direct say you should make a hole in the lid or neck of the bottle. Then, as with the glass bottles, you simply fill it and insert it into the soil.
An added benefit to using plastic bottles is that they’re easier cut through. Greenhouses Direct explains: “The advantage of plastic bottles is that you can cut the bottom off so it’s open when sitting in the soil, making it easier to top it up.
Although they warn gardeners to remember to make sure the bottle is stable and won’t fall over. Otherwise it can undo all of your hard work.
If you’re looking for another great way to reuse old plastic bottles, you can always try creating your own mini greenhouses. All you need is a scissors to cut them to the right shape to fit around your seedlings.
The transparent plastic allows the light to focus on plants, giving them a boost in the unpredictable British weather. It will also help protect them against greedy pests.