Here are three pretty ways to upcycle soda bottles and convert them into lovely planters! Using various sizes of bottles there are a whole variety of indoor plants you can use these for. There’s even one that waters itself! They take no time at all to make and can be a pretty edition to your kitchen or anywhere with some light that allows them to flourish! And these aren’t the only ideas! Check out our Touch of Gold DIY Planters from Soda Bottles and our Metro Modern Self Watering Planters from Soda Bottles.
Supplies Used
- Various size soda bottles. 2 liter, 32 oz, and a tall skinny one. The straight sided ones are best. Walmart has their own soda brand that works great.
- X-acto knife
- Hot Glue Gun
- String
- Goo Gone
- Free printables if desired (below)
- Black dry erase marker (to mark bottles for cutting)
- Thick water absorbent string or cord (for self watering planter)
- Permanent makers (used for decorating if desired)
- Drill (for self watering planter)
BOTTLE SIZES
This shows an example of the 32oz bottle and the tall skinny bottle I used in addition to a normal 2 liter size.
REMOVING LABELS
Remove the labels on all your bottles. After doing so use Goo Gone or something similar to get rid of the residue without marring the surface.
Trough Planter
This planter looks so awesome with a few cut out graphics attached to it. I used a 32 oz bottle. You can grab a download of the graphics seen or use your own. This would make a terrific gift!
FREE PDF OF LABELS
Cut an opening on one side of the bottle as shown.
Put in some small stones on the bottom for drainage. Add dirt and plants. Add your images. 
Herb Planter
Cute standup herb planter. You could have a whole row of these in the window sill. I used a tall skinny bottle for this but any size would work.
Draw an opening on the side of your bottle with a dry erase marker .
Cut an opening where you marked.
I used a permanent marker to make designs on the bottle. Put some stones and soil in. Add your herbs.
Self-Watering Planter
For this planter I used the larger standard 2 liter size bottle cut approximately 5″ up from the base.
Drill a hole in the lid for the string to go through. 
Take a thick jute type cord that will absorb water and feed it though the lid making a knot on the inside to keep it in place. Make it about 14″ long for this larger bottle. 
Attach the lid to the bottle.
Place water in the bottom portion and place the top upside down into it. Add some stones for drainage, your soil and your plant or seeds. IMPORTANT: You MUST water the plant yourself at first as the soil needs to start out damp. After that it should pull water up the string into the soil on it’s own. Make sure it never dries out of the water will not seep up the string.
