Don't Toss Empty Medicine Bottles Without Trying A Clever Gardening Hack First

Pill bottles have a way of accumulating in a home. Supplements, allergy meds, prescriptions ... It's just a matter of time before you have many empty bottles rattling around in your junk drawer. Considering that they can be somewhat difficult to recycle because of their small size, any creative way to repurpose these prescription bottles is always welcome. Which is why using them as a container for water propagating stem cuttings is such a wonderful hack. Now you're keeping the bottles out of landfills and getting new plants out of it!

The key to propagating like a pro is not just dependent on the stem cuttings. Even the containers holding your cuttings are important. And you'll be surprised how perfectly suited these bottles are for water propagation. Their narrow openings are great for keeping your cuttings upright and your nodes submerged while ensuring the leaves don't droop into the water and rot. This small opening also reduces the water evaporation rate, which means you wouldn't be constantly refilling the bottles. However, you still need to keep an eye on them so your cutting doesn't dry out.

Another bonus is the fact that you can easily monitor your plant's new roots as they develop because these bottles are only slightly tinted, so they're quite easy to see through. This tint also helps prevent slimy algae formation. Unlike clear glass jars, which can encourage algae growth, the tinted plastic used for medicine bottles filters just enough light to slow down its development.

A little prep will go a long way to ensure these bottles help your cuttings propagate properly. First things first: Wash and sterilize the bottles thoroughly as leftover residue from medications (even tiny amounts) can affect plant health. After cleaning out the bottle with hot soapy water, go back and pour in a mixture of four parts water and one part bleach. Let it sit for some minutes before you wash again with hot water and mild soap. Then rinse out the bottle multiple times until the bleach smell disappears.

It's equally a good idea to remove the labels since your personal information would likely be on them, and you don't want anyone admiring your cuttings to get a glimpse of all that. Also, removing the labels will make root monitoring a lot easier, and the whole setup will be neater. Some labels are easy to peel off if you pour hot water into the bottle. For more stubborn ones, try peeling with your fingers and rubbing off any leftovers with olive oil.

And if you're wondering what to do with the bottle lids, you can repurpose them to create a supportive collar for your cuttings. Simply poke a small hole in the center of the lid (a heated needle or nail will work well) and insert the stem through it. Your medicine bottles can also be used to make seed storage a lot easier.