How I Make My Own Self-Watering Clear Pots

Why I Started Making My Own Pots

When I first started collecting, I tried every kind of pot I could find. Some held too much water, others dried out too fast, and a few looked nice but didn’t work at all. Most of them also made it hard to see what was happening under the surface.

Eventually, I started making my own. I use things I already have around the house, and they work better than anything I’ve bought. Almost every plant in my collection now grows in a clear, self-watering setup that costs just a few dollars to make.

Why I Use Clear Pots

I like clear pots because I can see what’s happening with the roots. I can tell when the mix is drying out or when the roots are growing. If something looks off, I can catch it before it turns into a problem.

I also tend to water a little too often. Seeing condensation on the sides or a bit of moisture in the mix reminds me to wait. It keeps me from overdoing it.

Roots like light too, especially anthurium and alocasia. The clear walls let me monitor moisture and root growth without guessing, which helps me keep everything balanced.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need much to make these. Most of it you probably already have:

• Clear plastic cups in different sizes (I use 16 oz, 12 oz, 5 oz, or smaller for seedlings)

• A soldering iron or heated tool for holes

• Wicking cord

• A second cup or container for the reservoir

If you’re working with seedlings or corms, a clear tote with a grow light helps keep conditions steady.

How I Make Them

I change the setup slightly depending on the plant.

For Most Plants

I use a 16-ounce clear cup and melt small holes around the bottom and sides. The holes add airflow and let extra water drain out.

Then I thread a wick through one of the holes so it can pull water from below. The cup sits inside a slightly larger one that acts as the reservoir. The wick keeps the mix evenly moist without soaking the roots.

Before potting the plant, I sprinkle the roots with mycorrhizae. It helps reduce transplant shock and encourages healthy growth.

For Alocasia Corms

For corms, I go smaller. I use a plastic shot glass, melt holes around the bottom and sides, and add a wick. The cup sits inside a 5-ounce dessert cup that holds water. It keeps things damp enough for rooting but never soggy.

For Anthurium Seedlings

For seedlings, I use 5-ounce bathroom cups with holes on the sides and bottom. Instead of double-cupping, I place them in a tote with the other seedlings and bottom water the entire tote. It keeps humidity consistent and lets them take in water as they need it.

The Tote Setup

When I bring in new plants or work with seedlings, I keep them in a clear tote with a grow light. It keeps humidity and light steady and makes it easier to monitor everything in one place. The light stays on a timer for 10 to 12 hours a day.

This setup has made a huge difference. The plants root faster, stay hydrated longer, and I can see any changes right away. It’s also easy to clean, which helps prevent pests.

Why It Works

These DIY setups keep things simple. The roots get air, the mix stays evenly moist, and I can see what’s happening at all times.

They’re inexpensive, easy to adjust, and work for plants of all sizes. Once you start using clear self-watering pots, plant care becomes easier because you stop guessing and start paying attention.

What I’ve Learned

You don’t need fancy systems to grow healthy plants. Roots just need air, moisture, and space to grow.

Making your own pots gives you control over all of that. It’s affordable, it works, and it helps you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. Once you try it, you probably won’t go back.