This unexpected IKEA houseplant hack is a watering game changer

Group of houseplants by window — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

The popularity of houseplants seems to be ever escalating, and I, for one, have a houseplant or two in every room. Apart from their aesthetic and their ability to bring nature inside our homes, they also have lots of other benefits.

One particular favorite is the peace lily. Apart from its beautiful blooms, it’s a popular choice because it acts as a mini air purifier, tolerates low light, and is easy to maintain. If you’re undecided which houseplant to choose, it’s a good all-rounder.

However, one thing that puts people off buying houseplants is knowing how to water them, as how thirsty they get depends not just on their environment but also on how they retain water. The balance of getting it just right can be unpredictable, even if you are used to caring for houseplants.

So when I came across Lorri Zander’s Instagram reel @lorrileezander showing a genius watering hack using IKEA pet bowls, I had to share it. What’s more, you don’t need to be a pet owner to try it.

How to make a self-watering IKEA planter

What you’ll need
2 x IKEA UTSÅDD Pet bowls (choose two different sizes)
Diamond drill bit, and drill
Wicking cord
Plants of your choice

In her Instagram reel, Zander shows how to make a self-watering planter using IKEA pet bowls with striking vertical stripes. I think they make an excellent choice, but you can use other bowls, just ensure one is larger than the other.

A post shared by Lorri Zander (@lorrileezander)
A photo posted by on

These are the steps Zanders follows:

1. Turn the largest bowl over with its base uppermost. Place some tape in a cross pattern over its center and wet the tape.

2. Take a drill with a diamond drill bit, and make a hole through the center of the bowl, before removing the tape.

3. Turn the bowl over and place your choice of plants inside. Lander places three small ivy plants in her pot.

4. Insert a length of wicking cord through the base of the bowl with the hole. The wicking cord carries the water from the bowl below to the roots of the plants above.

5. Fill the smaller bowl with water before placing the larger bowl on top. Allow the wicking cord to extend into the water.

You now have a decorative self-watering planter.

If you’re interested in gardening, you might like to explore the IKEA haul your yard needs: 12 must-have essentials I recommend as an amateur gardener to get your spring garden in full swing.

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Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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