This planter is a “wicking pot” without drainage holes – it works great, you just need to be mindful not to overwater. Mine only needs water every week or so: when the soil no longer feels moist and the pot feels light-weight.
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Materials Required:
- 1 crocheted pot (“Sabbath Rest Flower Pot” crochet pattern used for the planter in the photos)
- 1 plant
- Potting soil
- Perlite or pebbles
- 1 Old sock, or scrap fabric
- 3 Plastic shopping bags
- Scissors
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- 01 – outside bag
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- 02 – inside bag
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- 03 a – perlite in bottom
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- 03 b – perlite covered
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- 04 – dirt
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- 05 – plant
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- 06 – cut bags
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- 07 – trim bags close
1- Protective Barrier
Place the pot inside a plastic bag. Wrap the bag over the edges of the planter to the inside. This prevents the planter from getting dirt all over it while being stuffed.
2- Waterproof Liner
Place 2 plastic bags inside the planter, one at a time. Smooth them out against the edges of the planter as much as possible, and fold the tops over the edge of the planter to the outside.
3- Water Reservoir
This is optional, but is helpful since the planter will not have a hole in the bottom for excess water to escape. Place some pebbles or perlite into the bottom of the planter. You can either stuff a sock with perlite and coil it in the bottom of the planter, or you can just put an inch or two of perlite in the bottom of the planter and cover it with a scrap of fabric – tuck down the edges of the fabric as best you can – this is to prevent dirt from getting into the water reservoir.
4- Dirt
Stuff the planter with dirt – leaving a hole big enough for the plant. Try to pack and smooth the dirt against the edges of the planter, shaping it as you go. Stuff as much as you can around the sides up to the top – it can be difficult to fill these spaces after the plant is inside.
5- Plant
Put the plant in, and complete stuffing the pot with dirt. Keep in mind it is a soft/flexible planter, so the dirt shapes it – make it nicely rounded if you can.
6- Cut Bags
Cut the two inner bags close to the level of the soil. Be careful not to cut the plant or the planter. Then cut the outer bag, being extra careful not to cut the planter.
7- Finishing touches
Trim the edges of the bags close to the soil so that they are barely noticeable. CAREFULLY.
Water it from the top – keeping in mind there is a reservoir to catch extra water which should wick up into the soil.
