If you’re a connoisseur of fine wine, or just enjoy a tipple every now and then, you might like to hang onto your empty bottles to use as vases or for the memories, or both. But what other uses does an old wine bottle have once it’s been emptied?

It turns out, they can be repurposed into tools to keep your houseplants lush – and with a few simple tricks, you can even set up an automated, self-watering system that’s sure to give your plants the hydration they need even when you’re away from home. Is that music to your ears?

Here’s everything you need to know to put them to good use.


Why wine bottles?

Their long, narrow necks are perfect for easily directing water directly to a plant’s roots, where plants absorb water most efficiently. This is the exact reason why most watering cans also have long and narrow necks.

A standard 750ml wine bottle can also help you measure the ideal amount of water that your plants need, which is much better than guessing. You don’t want to dump too much or too little water onto your plants as it can be counterproductive.


If you’re overwatering, chances are you’re drowning your plant and leaving its roots to rot. The leaves will start turning into a dull, yellow shade and the probability of bringing it back to life is slim. On the other hand, underwatering can cause your plant’s leaves to droop down and look lifeless. So, regularly tracking the amount of water your plants get with a good ol’ wine bottle will certainly help avoid these gardening mishaps.


How to create your own self-watering system

Additionally, if you're willing to take things a step further and are looking to set up an automatic 'self-watering' system, old wine bottles are also a great choice for this. If you're going on a trip or just have a bad habit of never remembering to water your plants (I’m certainly guilty), simply sticking a wine bottle that’s filled with water directly into the soil lets the plant take in exactly as much water as it needs, when it needs it.



Screw-top wine bottles are ideal for this as you can easily poke a hole into the cap before screwing it onto the bottle. But if you have a corked wine bottle or don’t have any caps laying around, you can opt to use a plastic wrap or bag to cover it, before poking a hole and sticking it in a planter, upside down. A standard wine bottle is perfect for larger plants or at least those with plenty of room in the planter.


How reliable are self-watering systems?

We know it sounds too good to be true but opting for a self-watering system CAN be extremely helpful if you’re a frequent traveller. Of course, this doesn’t mean they’ll water your plants forever. Depending on how big your old wine bottle is, it can keep your plants hydrated for up to two weeks. After that point, you’ll need to take the bottle out, clean it thoroughly, and refill it.


It’s also worth noting that not all plants are good candidates for a self-watering system. If your plant needs to dry out between waterings (succulents and cacti are good examples), using this tip could lead to root rot. Some of the plants that will thrive using this system are Calatheas, Pothos, and Spider Plants. These types of plants benefit from getting more water.

It’s also not ideal to use a big bottle for a small plant as you may end up overwatering it. Consider using a larger bottle for big plants or plants that thrive in more water than usual.


Can I use other bottles to make a self-watering system?

Yes, you can! Any long-necked bottle will do the trick, so you’re welcome to have fun with interesting shapes. Whether you prefer drinking beer, gin, champagne, or sparkling water, your empty bottles are worth keeping around for the environment’s sake.


So, the next time you go on a week-long trip to visit family, be sure to remember this handy hack. It could help you level up your green thumb! Do you have any nifty gardening tips and tricks up your sleeve? Share them with us in the comments section below.