DIY Ollas: A Simple Watering Solution for Your Garden

Hypothetical situation: You’ve got thirsty plants, but no interest in investing in a fancy irrigation system—or maybe you're just not ready yet. Hand-watering is always an option, but let’s be honest: it can be inconsistent, time-consuming, and easily forgotten on a busy day.

One budget-friendly and effective alternative is ollas—unglazed clay pot watering systems that slowly release moisture into the soil over time. While you can buy ollas online, they’re often expensive. Instead, you can make your own for a fraction of the price using materials from your local hardware store. It takes about 10 minutes to build one, and anyone can do it.

Supplies You'll Need:

Amazon Affiliate links or buy at your local hardware store.

• Two 8-inch unglazed clay pots ( https://amzn.to/4lc4OzF )

• One plastic bottle cap (from a soda or water bottle)

• Non-toxic silicone (clear or white; the kind used for aquariums https://amzn.to/4lz8BqA)

Assembly Instructions:

1. Seal the Drainage Hole: Glue the plastic bottle cap over the drainage hole of one clay pot. This will hold the water in.

2. Join the Pots Together: Apply a thick, even layer of silicone around the rim of the same pot. Carefully place the second pot upside-down on top, so the rims meet.

3. Seal the Edge: Use a piece of plastic or a gloved finger to smooth the silicone around the joint. For extra security, apply another layer of silicone around the outside edge and smooth it out.

4. Dry and Test: Let the silicone cure for several hours (refer to the label for the exact drying time). Once dry, fill the olla with water. If it’s sealed properly, you shouldn’t see any leaks; however, you should notice the outer surface slowly dampening as the water seeps through the clay.

Once you are confident that the olla is not leaking and working correctly, plant it in a pot in the garden or where you need plants that need water. You dig a hole and place the olla in the ground, leaving about 1 inch above the soil line. Use a pot watering dish to cover the hole to help prevent evaporation. Plants within about 6 inches will get plenty of water using this method. Plant four plants around each olla to maximize this process, and use mulch or straw around the pants. This will reduce the frequency of watering to every two to three days.

How to Use Your Olla:

• Dig a hole in your garden or container and bury the olla, leaving about 1 inch exposed above the soil line.

• Fill the olla with water and cover the opening using a clay saucer or lid to reduce evaporation and keep debris out.

• Plant within a 6-inch radius around the olla—about four small plants work well.

• For best results, add mulch or straw around your plants to retain moisture.

Your olla will slowly release water directly to the roots, reducing your need to water every 2–3 days and helping your plants thrive in hot or dry conditions.

• Dig a hole in your garden or container and bury the olla, leaving approximately 1 inch of the olla exposed above the soil line.

• Fill the olla with water and cover the opening using a clay saucer or lid to reduce evaporation and keep debris out.

• Plant within a 6-inch radius around the olla—about four small plants work well.

• For best results, add mulch or straw around your plants to retain moisture.

Your olla will slowly release water directly to the roots, reducing your need to water every 2–3 days and helping your plants thrive in hot or dry conditions.