Are you looking for a water feature idea that won't break the bank? Even better, how about one that doesn't require a pesky power cord?

Then you're going to love this easy to assemble and budget-friendly Solar DIY Plant Pot Water Fountain that takes less than fifteen minutes to put together.

15 Minute Solar Stacked Flower Pot Fountain

You'll need two large flower pots, one larger than the other to make this flower pot fountain. If you already have large flower pots on hand, then this fountain will cost under $20 to make.

We made our stacked flower pot fountain for under $50 because I found the set of resin pots on sale for $35.

If you need to purchase pots like I did, look for large resin, plastic, or glazed flower pots.

You don't have to use the same size flower pots as mine because you can adjust the water flow accordingly by the type of spray head you use. I've included the dimensions of our flower pots for reference below.

Flower Pot Dimensions

The large flower pot is 18-inches in diameter on the top and 14-inches high. The smaller flower pot is 15-inches in diameter and 12-inches high.

The inspiration for our DIY water fountain was these solar power bird bath water pumps and I just had to have one. It comes with four spray nozzle heads so you can decide what type of spray you'd like for your fountain.

We chose to place our water fountain in a flower bed in the middle of our front yard. I love that we don't have to bury conduit under the grass to run an electrical cord for the water pump.

With a solar fountain, you have the convenience of a drop-and-go pump and let the sun do the work!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to make the solar flower pot water feature, almost all of the DIY projects shared here at Interior Frugalista have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

What You'll Need To Make It

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Supply List

Set of 2 Flower Pots (alternatives)
Flower Pot Saucer
Plastic pail
River rocks
Solar Power Bird Bath Fountain Pump OR Solar Powered Submersible Pump

When our solar pump was delivered it was raining outside. I couldn't wait to get started so while Mr. Rex ran for cover under the potting bench, I got to work building the fountain.

How To Make The Solar Plant Pot Water Fountain

I've included the eight simple steps below for building the solar fountain and you should have your fountain working within fifteen minutes.

Step 1 - Level The Ground

With a garden hoe level the ground where you'll be placing the fountain. Place a paving stone or sidewalk block to keep the bottom flower pot off the ground. You may want to bury the stone just a little so it's not visible.

Step 2 - Bottom Flower Pot

Set the largest flower pot on top of the stone.

Step 3 - Flower Pot Riser

Insert a large pail (or whatever you have on hand) into the bottom pot to serve as a base for the top flower pot.

Step 4 - Top Flower Pot Base

You will need a large saucer for the second pot to sit on. We already had this large plastic saucer on hand that just happened to be the perfect size to cover the top of the bottom pot. Unfortunately, the lip on the saucer made it a little too big to fit the opening so we trimmed it.

Step 5 - Stack Top Flower Pot

Stack the smaller flower pot in the center and fill the saucer with river rocks.

Step 6 - Top Flower Pot

If your top flower pot has a drainage hole, it will need to be sealed so the water doesn't drain out the pot.

Set a small tile over the drainage hole and attach it to the bottom of the pot with silicone. Run a bead of silicone along the edge of the tile as well to ensure a tight seal and allow it to cure for at least 24 hours before filling with water.

Step 7 - Set The Solar Pump

Drop the bird bath solar fountain in the top flower pot and watch the sun work it's magic!

Step 8 - How To Keep The Solar Pump In Center Of Pot

Now you may be wondering what those four galvanized wires are about. Because the pump floats in the flower pot, it often floats to the edge. When it does, the spray flows over the pot and rapidly drains the water.

Pro-Tip

This is a great tip for keeping the solar pump centered in the pot.

Insert galvanized wires into the foam floatations on the pump. Cut the wires to fit the distance from the pump to the sides of the pot. Now the solar pump is stationary and the spray falls back into the flower pot.

Does the fountain have to be in the direct sun?

Yes, the fountain must be situated in a sunny location. Because the pump doesn't have a rechargeable solar panel, it needs direct sun in order to work. It will not run on cloudy days nor will it run after dusk.

Option B - Solar-Powered Submersible Rechargeable Pump

If you would prefer that your water fountain run rain or shine and day or night, then here is another solar-powered submersible pump option.

It comes with a solar panel and rechargeable battery that lasts 5+ hours at night and recharges with the sun during the day. Bonus, it includes 5 LED lights that illuminate your water fountain at night.

Does the water have to be checked regularly?

The water will evaporate, especially on hot days. It's important that you check the water level in the top flower pot regularly and fill it as necessary.

That's it, enjoy your new solar fountain!

We also made this electrically powered Stacked Flower Pot Fountain for our backyard.

But if you want to get real fancy-schmancy and know your way around power tools, then you may like this amazing DIY Water Wall that we made for our deck which also acts as a privacy screen.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this solar fountain idea.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

If you enjoyed this DIY Solar Water Feature, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your Backyard Ideas or DIY Water Features board on Pinterest.

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

Our solar plant pot water fountain is featured at Country Living