Plastic bottles might come from a range of sources, and rather than simply recycling these right away, we might consider first using them to grow plants. Many of us are trying to cut down on the amount of plastic that we bring into our homes. But there are times when plastic can accumulate in spite of our efforts. In some cases, using plastic bottles that have already arrived in our homes can prevent us from buying new plastic pots or other plastic items for our gardens. Interested in planting in plastic bottles? Read our definitive guide to find out how to get started!
Why Grow Plants In Plastic Bottles?
Of course, when considering growing plants in plastic bottles it is always important to think about what those bottles are made of (which specific type of plastic) and also what they contained.
As long as the plastic is food-grade and of the right type, and as long as it has not contained a poisonous substance, of course, then there should be no problem in using it in your garden in some way.
Most of the time, it is perfectly safe to grow plants, even edible ones, in plastic bottles. But they should of course be retired if and when they show signs of beginning to break down, and should then be recycled where possible.
I am certainly not recommending that you rush out or deliberately buy things in plastic bottles so that you can use them in the garden. This is just about finding ways to reuse and repurpose plastic that unavoidably comes into our lives.
If you happen to have plastic bottles, by all means use them in your garden. But if you have successfully avoided them, remember that there are plenty of other reclaimed and re-purposable materials and items that you might use as containers for growing your own at home.
The key thing to remember is that we should always look around us to discover the resources already at our disposal before we ever think about buying anything new for our homes or gardens.
Which Plants can Be Grown in Plastic Bottles?
Many plants can be grown in plastic bottles. Of course, which plants you will be able to place in a plastic bottle will depend on the size of that bottle.
Remember, whether you place a plastic bottle upright cut in half, or make a hole in its side in which to plant, there will only be a relatively restricted space for plant roots. This means that it is mostly shallower rooted plants that can do well in containers of this kind.
Some of the best options to consider for growing in plastic bottles include leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, chard, mustard leaves, rocket, a range of Asian greens etc…
If you are completely new to growing your own then growing a cut-and-come-again lettuce in a plastic bottle could be a good place to begin.
But it is also well worthwhile branching out and trying a range of other interesting leafy green vegetables, as this will make for far more interesting salads and mean that you can ring the changes with your homegrown diet.
A range of herbs are also wonderful for growing in this way as they won’t take up a lot of space and do not require a deeper layer of soil or growing medium. Herbs like basil, mint and parsley can also potentially grow well in a plastic bottle as long as you keep it well watered.
You can grow herbs and whichever other salad crops you wish to grow easily in plastic bottles on a windowsill indoors, or outside in a suitable spot in your garden.
Ideas for Planting in Plastic Bottles
Plastic bottles can potentially be used by gardeners in a wide range of different ways. For example, you might be able to:
- Use plastic bottles in place of plant pots/ containers.
- Make a windowsill propagator for seed sowing from a plastic bottle.
- Use plastic bottles as cloches to protect individual plants.
- Create a vertical garden structure with plastic bottles for a wall or fence.
- Or even make an entire greenhouse using plastic bottles to plant inside.
If you think about it, planting in plastic bottles is a surprisingly versatile way of recycling and you can potentially use them in your garden in a huge range of different ways. We’ll explore just some examples to inspire you below:
How to use Plastic Bottles as Containers
There are a few different ways that you can prepare a plastic bottle to use as a container. You might cut the bottle in half, and plant into the half bottle you create. You might make a hole in the side of a bottle and use the bottle vertically, or cut a hole in the side of the bottle and place it on its side to use as a container.
Think about the shape of the particular plastic bottle that you are using, as sometimes the shape of the bottle will dictate how it is best used as a container. Some plastic containers, such as milk containers for example, have moulded, built-in handles that can be useful if you are planning to hang your containers.
One of the good things about many plastic bottle containers is that you can hang them up to make the most of space that might not ordinarily be used in your polytunnel or elsewhere in your garden.
How to make a Plastic Bottle Propagator
You can also make a small and simple windowsill propagator for planting in plastic bottles if you cut one in half. A propagator is a container used to create a more sheltered and controlled environment for the propagation of plants from seed.
One half of a plastic bottle, for example, is sometimes used as the base in which we sow our seeds, and the other half cut off and placed back on top is the propagator lid, helping to keep temperatures up and conserve moisture.
How to Use Plastic Bottles as Cloches
Another way in which we might use plastic bottles is not to contain the growing medium for the plants, but to cover those plants as they grow.
We can use plastic bottles as cloches in a polytunnel, or elsewhere in a garden in order to extend the growing season and protect young plants from late frosts, or from certain pests, perhaps, while they are still small early in the year.
If you are using plastic bottles as cloches in your garden or on an allotment, out in the open, then it is best to use natural sticks or bamboo canes to secure them to the ground. Otherwise they can have a tendency to blow all over the place and may become more of an annoyance than a help.
How to make a Planting Tower Vertical Garden With Plastic Bottles
Planting in plastic bottles does not have to be limited to individual hanging containers useful in making the most of all the vertical space available as well as the horizontal space. They can also come in handy to make a range of different vertical garden solutions for small spaces.
One example that involves growing plants in plastic bottles involves using plastic bottles, often secured against a fence of wall, to make a planting tower perfect for growing a range of leafy crops.
The plastic bottles, with bases cut off and lids pierced, are sometimes positioned upside down, one stacking into the next. These are filled with a growing medium, and have holes cut into their sides to accept the plants. Water can be poured in at the top of the stack and should filter down to each of the plants growing out of the sides of the tower below.
How to make a Plastic Bottle Greenhouse
One great recycled greenhouse idea involves using plastic bottles. Large or small, a plastic bottle greenhouse could be a fun and quirky addition to your garden.
The bottles are used in place of greenhouse glazing or plastic sheets. They are strung on dowels or wires within a frame that is commonly of timber construction.
Remember, the timber can be recycled too. You can use reclaimed wood as well as reducing waste by making use of the plastic bottles to make the whole project as sustainable as possible.
Plastic bottles can also potentially be filled with soil and used as building blocks to make a range of different garden buildings. They might be used in this way to create the base of a greenhouse structure, a garden shed, a summerhouse… or more.
Remember, however you decide to start planting in plastic bottles, they won’t last forever and at some point, will still become a disposal problem. Reusing plastic bottles is not really a solution to the problem of plastics, since we are in effect just kicking the can down the road.
But using plastic bottles can prevent us from buying and using new plastic items when we don’t need to, and cutting down on our plastic use is certainly a step in the right direction. So, start planting in plastic bottles for yourself, and find a solution that works for you.
FAQs
Can you use plastic bottles as plant pots?
Yes, you can use plastic bottles as plant pots. They need to be cleaned, and holes should be made at the bottom for drainage. This is an effective recycling method that can support plant growth.
How do you water plants with old plastic bottles?
To water plants with old plastic bottles, fill them with water and poke small holes in the cap. Bury the bottle upside down near the plant, leaving the neck with the cap exposed. This setup allows for slow-release watering, which is especially beneficial during dry periods.
Sources
Osmond, C., (2019) How to Make a Bottle Tower Garden. Backyard Boss. [online] Available at: https://www.backyardboss.net/how-to-make-a-bottle-tower-garden [accessed 23/07/24]
