How to Turn Anything Into a Self-Watering Pot

Supplies

Plant pot: Use a nursery pot, decorative planter, or both. (I usually go with the double-pot method.)
Riser: Something to keep the plant elevated above the water. I've linked the risers I use here or you can DIY one by cutting the bottom off a nursery pot.
Reservoir: A container to hold water. I often repurpose things I already have, but I’ve also linked a few reservoir options here that fit well under most pots.
Wick: Any absorbent rope or material that pulls water up into the soil. I’ve linked my favorite wick material here—it’s reusable and works with most setups.

Use a chunky, well-draining mix. My peatless mix works great for this!
Let the reservoir dry out before refilling—unless the plant likes to stay moist. Adjust based on each plant's needs.
Always drench the topsoil with water treated with BTI drops each time you water. This helps prevent fungus gnats by killing larvae in the top layer of soil.
Get creative! Old food containers, jars, or bowls work perfectly as reservoirs.