How to Create an Automatic Plant Watering Device from a Hot Sauce Bottle

Identify plants that must be watered/cared for while you are away. Also, you will need to consider the plant size as you may need to use multiple watering devices per potted plant or planted area. Add up the number of potted plants versus in-ground plants that will need attention. If you need a self-watering device for in-ground plants, you may want to consider using a plastic instead of glass bottle for safety reasons.Create an Automatic Plant Watering Device Step 1Bullet1.jpg

Empty and clean out a hot sauce bottle. It’s very important to clean the hot sauce bottle thoroughly as you don’t want any spicy juice to get into the soil. Pop off the top (the top that allows the hot sauce to slowly leak from the bottle) and fill the bottle with hot soapy water. Rinse and allow to dry.Create an Automatic Plant Watering Device Step 2Bullet1.jpg Consider removing the bottle label so it doesn’t soak into the soil while the hot sauce bottle is doing its job.Create an Automatic Plant Watering Device Step 2Bullet2.jpg

Fill the bottle with water. If you want to feed your plants while they are being watered, add a small amount of plant food to the bottle first, then add the water. Replace the pop top lid and shake.

Identify an area near the plant to place the bottle. The bottle should be placed near enough to the plant so the water can seep down to the roots, but not so close so that it damages the plant.

Turn the bottle upside down, while plugging the opening with your finger. Plunge the bottle into the soil, while at the same time removing your finger.

Finished.