If you’ve been tossing out empty jars or plastic bottles, it’s time to rethink. These common household items can be transformed into free, stylish, and effective planters for growing herbs, cuttings, or even small vegetables.
In this article, you’ll learn how to reuse bottles and jars to grow plants indoors or outdoors — no money, no waste, just creativity.
Why Use Bottles and Jars for Plants?
- Free and abundant — you probably already have some
- Eco-friendly — keeps plastic and glass out of landfills
- Space-saving — perfect for small homes, balconies, or shelves
- Customizable — decorate, cut, or hang however you like
- Great for water or soil-based growing
Let’s explore how to turn trash into plant treasures.
Best Plants to Grow in Bottles and Jars
For Water-Only Growing (Hydroponic or Cuttings):
- Pothos
- Basil
- Mint
- Green onions
- Spider plant babies
- Coleus
- Sweet potato vines
For Soil Growing (Small Plants):
- Succulents
- Lettuce
- Chives
- Parsley
- Mini flowers like marigolds or violets
1. How to Prepare Plastic Bottles for Planting
Basic Instructions:
- Cut the bottle in half or cut out a window on the side.
- Use the bottom as a pot, or turn the top upside down into the base to create a self-watering system.
- Poke holes for drainage if using soil.
Decoration Tip: Wrap with twine, paint the outside, or cut into creative shapes.
2. How to Use Glass Jars for Propagation
Glass jars are ideal for water propagation.
Steps:
- Fill with clean water.
- Add your cutting (e.g. pothos, basil, mint).
- Place near indirect sunlight.
- Change water every 3–5 days.
Roots will form in 1–3 weeks, and you can either keep the plant in water or transplant to soil.
Bonus: Clear jars let you watch the root growth!
3. Hanging Bottle Garden
Make vertical use of your space.
How:
- Tie string or wire around bottle necks.
- Hang from a rod, wall hooks, or balcony railing.
- Use drip holes at the bottom for drainage.
Great for herbs or cascading plants like strawberries or pothos.
4. Self-Watering Bottle Planter
Use the top and bottom of a bottle to create a wicking system.
What You Need:
- 1 plastic bottle
- Cotton string or fabric strip
- Soil and your plant
Instructions:
- Cut the bottle in half.
- Invert the top and place into the bottom half.
- Insert wick through the cap.
- Fill the top with soil and the bottom with water.
The wick pulls up water as needed — perfect for busy gardeners.
5. Growing Herbs in Mason Jars
Mason jars don’t have drainage holes, so they’re better for herbs that don’t mind damp soil (like mint).
Tips:
- Add pebbles or gravel at the bottom for drainage.
- Use a thin layer of activated charcoal (optional) to prevent odor.
- Water carefully — don’t flood the roots.
These look beautiful on a windowsill or kitchen counter.
6. Vertical Bottle Wall for Greens
Grow salad greens or herbs in a space-efficient vertical wall.
What You’ll Need:
- Several bottles cut horizontally
- A wall or hanging frame
- Soil and seedlings
Line up the bottles, secure them, and grow leafy greens like lettuce or arugula.
Perfect for balconies and small patios.
7. Decorating Your Bottle Planters
Let your creativity shine!
- Paint the outside with waterproof paint
- Add labels with plant names
- Glue fabric, buttons, or recycled paper for texture
- Use chalkboard paint for reusable labeling
Functional and decorative — your bottle garden becomes part of your home design.
Final Thoughts
Reusing bottles and jars for planting isn’t just about saving money — it’s about growing more with less, reducing waste, and adding creativity to your space.
With a few cuts and a little water or soil, you can grow a thriving mini-garden from what others throw away. Start with one bottle, one jar, one cutting — and watch your garden grow from the simplest of containers.