instructables

Soda Bottle Vertical Garden (for Indoors or Out!)

by Birdz of a Feather

Here in Canada, even though it’s Spring, it will be using what you have – to create a vertical garden. And
quite a while before our winter blahs turn to green the best part is that they are free! We’re not soda
pastures again. It’s a great time of year to introduce a drinkers, but we found an entire box of empties in our
cheap and cheerful hanging system to brighten up neighbour’s blue bin on pick up day (nicely organized
your indoor space with plants! in a Pringles box!) and wisked them away to make our
hanging garden.
Using empty soda bottles for this project ties in
perfectly to my philosophy of sustainable crafting –

Step 1: Watch the Video!

Watch the video - and subscribe to my YouTube channel while you're at it! Then follow along with the tutorial and
get planting!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NVxCXtAjUg

Soda Bottle Vertical Garden (for Indoors or Out!): Page 1

Step 2: Gather Materials

Along with the soda bottles, you’ll also need:

1/8² galvanized aircraft cable wire,

cable ferrules to crimp the wire,
a wire cutter and cable swage tool,
metal washers (#6),
S-hooks (3/4²),
a cork back metal ruler,
piece of metal strapping,
marker,
loop turner (or other long, thin object)
masking tape,
wood burner with a pointy tip,
aquarium gravel,
waterproof clear caulking or epoxy putty,
soil, and;
plants of course!

Step 3: Select Plants

I used a combination of succulents and Himalaya mix potted plants from Ikea. At $3.99 each, they’re a real bargain
and I was grateful to be able to nd them at this time of year!

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Step 4: Remove Lable and Measure

I used 5 bottles for my hanging garden, but you could make as many as you like. When the weather gets better
outdoors, they would make a great hanging screen on a massive scale too!

To start, remove the lable from the soda bottle. I used the lable to cut out a rectangular piece measuring 5 1/4² x 3².
I folded the lable in half lengthwise and marked the centre of each side.

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Step 5: Mark Corners and Holes

I applied the lable back onto the bottle through the middle of where it was glued. I found that with the
combination of the glue residue and static cling, my particular lable stuck really well.

Mark the four corners with the black marker and measure out no less than 5/16² from the centre on each side and
place two more dots on the bottle.

Step 6: Apply Metal Edge

Remove the lable. Apply two pieces of masking tape to a metal ruler and place on the bottle lining up two of the
dots you marked with the black marker. The metal ruler should be placed on the outside of the line you’re going to
cut – it will give you a cleaner line when using the wood burner.

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Step 7: Use Wood Burner to Cut

I use a wood burner to cut through the plastic (you and use the edge of the ruler to guide the wood
could also cut the plastic with an X-acto knife instead). burner along until you’ve reached the second dot at
Make sure you’re using the tool in a well ventilated the opposite end. Do this as steadily and quickly as
area; doing this step outdoors is ideal. Also ensure possible or you will distort the line if you leave it in a
sure you have a heat-proof surface to leave it on while spot for too long and over-melt the plastic. Once you
you work – and to be safe in case you forget to get the hang of it, you’ll be cutting through the
unplug it! I leave mine on stand with a metal tray plastic with ease. Remove the ruler then move it to
beneath it. the other side and cut through the bottle in the same
manner.
Heat up the wood burner with a pointy tip installed.
Insert the tip starting at the spot you marked earlier

Step 8: Cut Sides

I used a scrap piece of metal strapping and bent it into a curve around the bottle. I used it in the same manner as
the metal ruler to guide the wood burner and cut the plastic on the shorter end of the bottle. Once all 4 sides of
the rectangle are cut, you can remove the inner piece of plastic, but don’t toss it (we’ll use it later).

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Step 9: Make Holes

Take the tip of the wood burner a make a hole through the two dots you marked 5/16” out from the centre of the
lable. Only hold the tip for a second or you’ll make the hole too large; it only needs to be big enough to pass the
aircraft cable through.

Step 10: Mark Bottom Holes on Both Sides

With the bottle facing right side up, insert the long loop turner through the hole straight down until it reaches the
bottom of the bottle (you can even substitute a piece of spaghetti!). Mark the spot with the marker and do the same
for the other side. Turn the bottle upside down and burn a small hole through the two spots you marked.

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Step 11: Cut Aircraft Cable

Now we’re ready to construct the hanging system. Measure out two 12² pieces of aircraft cable for each bottle and
cut with wire snips.

Step 12: Loop One End & Crimp

Insert the wire through one end of the metal ferrule, bend it into a loop and insert the same end into the other side
of the ferrule. My loops were about 1/2² in length. Place the ferrule into the swage tool and squeeze it tight to seal
it on both ends of the metal.

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Step 13: Finished Wires

You’ll end up with wires that look like this:

Step 14: Hand Swage How-To

This video demonstrates how to hand swage (it’s not necessary to use the thimble shown in this project):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=RfLY6mOBzJ0

Step 15: Thread Washer and Wire

Thread a washer through the wire so it rests on the loop you just made. Insert the wire through the hole in the

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bottom of the bottle and through the top hole. Make a loop in the top of the wire using another ferrule as you did
before and fasten it with the swage tool.

Step 16: Plug Drainage Holes for Indoor Use

Continue with the rest of the bottles until each one ball and squish it around the holes. If using caulk, to
has two wires threaded through the holes with control it from oozing too much onto the wires, you
washers on the bottom to support the weight. can squeeze some out onto a plastic lid and use
something like a co ee stirrer to apply it around the
If using outdoors, be sure to add a few more drainage holes on the inside of the bottle. Make sure the wires
holes in the bottom. For indoor settings, I would are sitting tight against the bottom of the bottle (you
suggest adding a drop of waterproof clear caulking or could tape them as they dry if you have to) and let the
epoxy putty to cover the bottom two holes (from the caulk or epoxy dry according to the package
inside) so you don’t get water leaking through and directions before moving onto planting.
dripping down the wires. The epoxy putty will be
easier to work with because you can roll it into a tiny

Step 17: Planting and Installation

Lay down some plastic on your table surface to catch the mess if doing this indoors! Gather up your plants and
planting materials (soil, gravel, scoop). Be sure to purchase a soil suitable for your plants; here I’m using cactus soil
for one of the succulents.
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Step 18: Add Gravel for Drainage

Remember the plastic piece you saved from the Put a layer of aquarium gravel in the bottom. This is
middle of the bottle? I used it to con ne the soil to optional, but it helps with drainage. (Note that if
the middle section of the bottle (so I could conserve you're doing this project for outdoors you can skip the
on the amount of gravel I had to use), but you can gravel altogether and just add more holes in the
choose not to use it if you prefer and ll the whole bottom of each bottle for drainage).
container out to the sides. Cut the plastic in half along
the width and insert it into the bottle so the concave Add a layer of soil to give the roots something to grow
part surrounds the wire (facing inward). into.

Step 19: Add Plant Material

Lift the plant out of its container and work loose most of the soil around the roots. Plant in the bottle and surround
with more soil to secure. Don't over ll the soil or it will wash over the edges when you water the plants.

Continue planting the rest of the bottles until they're all done. Now you're ready to hang!

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Step 20: Transport Bottles to Installation Site to Assemble

I put all the nished bottles into a cardboard box and screw them into the wood trim the same width apart
transferred them to the kitchen. I installed my as the wire holding the bottle (approx. 5 3/4"). I
hanging garden on the side of the sliding door that is created two new hanging wires (about 24" long) and
non-working so we still have access to our backyard. hung them from the curtain rings to start the garden
To prepare, I hung two shower curtain rings over the at a suitable height. We used 3/4" S-hooks as
curtain rod above my sliding glass doors. If you don't connectors.
have a curtain rod, you can substitute eye hooks and

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Step 21: Install Using S-Hooks

My husband hung each bottle, one at a time, connecting them as he went with the S-hooks in between until he
reached the bottom.

Step 22: Reveal

It's hard to get a good picture with the backlight from the window, so I tried closing the binds, but I can attest that
the hanging garden looks stunning in the kitchen! You could change the con guration and adapt this idea for any
window; just add a few more columns and stagger the plants.

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Step 23: Please Vote :)

I hope you enjoyed this sustainable gardening project; if you did, please vote! You can subscribe to more
sustainable ideas at Birdz of a Feather.

Nice work!

Nice! I had hydroponic bottle planters which got moldy a while ago, and this looks like a perfect
solution!
Let me know if you give it a try :)

Simple. Easy to understand. Made it in an afternoon. From comments, covered bottles with duct
tape. Plants love it!

Thanks for recyclable idea!

Wow - it looks beautiful! Thanks for trying it and sharing the picture!!! The plants look very happy :)
Can I ask what they are?

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It's funny you ask. The bottom plant is one i got for my birthday in February, it's a succulent but I've
forgotten its name. I bought the two hanging ones on top from someone on the side of the road.
They had no name and every time a stem breaks I re plant. So there's more and more. I have
spider plant, and i snapped some growth off of some plants in places. I'm very good at getting
cuttings to grow so pretty much if I break it I grow it. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
Thanks for the info; it was helpful :)

Transparent bottles look nice, but my experience shows that there will soon grow algae in there. In
addition, exposing the roots to sunlight is unhealthy for plants. I think that you should paint the
bottels.
Thanks for the advice! I wasn't aware of there being a problem with algae. Were your bottles
indoors too?
>Were your bottles indoors too?
Yes,they were.
good idea, thanx for the Intel. One problem I can avoid before I start.

something I just thought of for this project. For herbs, would it be alright to use smaller bottles?

The particular bottles I used for this are 1 L which I think are best for succulents. For herbs, I would
likely use 2L bottles to give the herbs enough soil and nutrients but you could certainly try a few to
see if have success.
2L bottles with damp soul would be quite heavy. Consider this when figuring out how to hang them.

Good point. The breaking strength of the aircraft cable used is over 5000 pounds, so that isn't a
concern. But you would need to ensure that whatever it's hanging from is well secured to
something like studs in a wall (or brick or a specially built frame if outdoors).
I love it. I was thinking about using paracord instead of wire, using knots to support it and
connecting them. I have several colors of the cord, including reflecting cord. What do you think?
I've been looking into vertical gardening for some time now, cities are starting to utilize it as well.
Makes sense, and reduces pest problems too. One other thing, if I were to put a few small holes in
the bottom of all but the very bottom planter, I'd only have to water the top plant. The rest would get
trickle water, witch should be just fine. What's your opinion of that. I have a lot of seeds, veggies
and herbs to grow. They could be taken outside on nice days as well. I'd put the system on a rack
with wheels for easy moving.
You need to water each container to avoid water-logging them. Also. Depending on what type of
fertilizer you use, the lower containers might get too much salt run off. The rule is that after water
percolated through the soil. Indoor it out, the water that drips out the bottom is thrown out- down
the drain. Put on mulch, etc.
I think all your ideas are great! I only used the aircraft cable because I had it; the cord would
certainly add a colourful element :)
If you did the trickle down setup, it would probably be best for outdoors so you could add holes in
the bottom one; otherwise you might run the risk of the very bottom plant getting waterlogged.
However, one suggestion would be to leave the bottom container completely empty to catch the
water so you don't run into that problem. I love the idea of putting it on a rack so it can easily be
moved. Good luck with your project; I'd be very interested in hearing back on what you ended up
doing and how it goes !
Did you use 1 liter or 2 liter bottles, may have missed what size you used, and I'm sure it doesn't
matter. Thank you, love it. As far as the Algae concern, is there something you can use to control it
in the clear containers? Thanks.

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This one was only a litre but 2 litre would likely be better because it holds more soil. Re algae, one
suggestion might be to perhaps try growing succulents instead - they don't need much water so
probably wouldn't foster algae growth. I haven't encountered the problem myself and actually
wasn't aware that Algae might be a problem until someone mentioned it in the comments so
perhaps someone who's experienced this problem could chime in? I'd be interested in hearing
more about any personal experience with it :)
Thank you for taking the time to respond. My wife and I have no "green thumb" at all, but I think I'm
going to try at least one bottle and see how it goes. Thanks again and have a great day.
Good luck with your project; I'd love to hear back on how it goes!

I admire your resourcefulness and ingenuity with this project! A very positive end result with
minimal materials! You got my vote.
Thank you lefty9!

I will be downsizing from a 2850 sqft house to a 920 sqft apartment in June. This will be a fun
project for my new place. Thank you!!
Plants are always a lovely addition to any space; good luck with the move :)

Lovely! Thank you

Thanks Andrea (and you're welcome)!

Neat instructable! :) When you water these, does water drain out of the wire holes?

Thank you! I plugged the holes with waterproof epoxy; it's in the instructions but I forgot to get a
picture of that part :) If you plan on making these for outdoors you can actually add a few drain
holes in addition to the ones for the wires.
It has been my experience that clear containers used for growing invite the growth of Algae. I
would suggest using darker colored bottles. Nice instructions.
Thanks for the info; I wasn't aware of that. I guess I can always transplant into another colour or
paint the bottles.
They look great! A really good Instructable, thanks for sharing.

Thank you! I love to having more plants in the house; vertical is the way to go :)

Beautiful job!

Thanks so much!

Great idea, and a great instructable.

Your steps, photos, cover image are all top-notch. Very nicely done! :)
Thank you seamster; I appreciate your kind words :)

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