Diary of a

Daydreamer

Easy DIY Solar Fountain

Create a beautiful, solar-powered water feature, no plumbing or electricity needed, perfect for beginners and budget-friendly gardens!

The daydream

I’ve always dreamed of having a peaceful water feature in my garden, but every time I looked into the cost of installing one, I’d immediately close the tab. Between the plumbing, electrical work, and pricey fountain, it just wasn’t realistic.

So when I realized I could build my own solar-powered fountain using just two pots and a small pump, I knew I had to give it a try. It turned out to be the perfect finishing touch to my DIY Mediterranean garden and the best part? It didn’t require any wiring, plumbing, or previous experience!

I have a few more Mediterranean-inspired garden projects in the works, so if you love affordable DIY ideas like this, make sure to subscribe to my blog or follow me on Instagram so you don’t miss what’s coming next!

Choosing the Right Pump

Before picking your pots, let’s talk about the heart of this project – the pump.

After a lot of searching, I chose a solar fountain pump with a cool sphere-style water effect that instantly made the fountain feel elegant and high-end. The best part is that it comes with a built-in battery, so it stores extra power for cloudy days. That means your fountain keeps running even when the sun isn’t shining, a small detail that makes a big difference.

If you’re looking for the absolute easiest option, there’s another pump that went viral recently. You literally just pop it into water, and voilà! Instant fountain! But it doesn’t have a battery, so it only works when the sun is out. Plus, because it floats on the surface, it tends to drift around rather than stay centered… and that would bug the heck out of me 😅.

Step 1: Choose Your Pots

Start by grabbing two pots of your choice. I used the same style in two different sizes so that when they’re stacked, they create a pretty tiered effect. You can use any design that suits your space, classic terracotta looks warm and rustic, while ceramic or stone-effect pots give a more polished finish.

Make sure both pots have drainage holes, as you’ll need one for the pump wire to pass through and the other to make sure your plants don’t get root rot.

All-white or all-black pebbles create a clean, modern vibe, while glass beads or polished stones add a touch of sparkle!

Step 2: The Smaller Pot

Disconnect the pump from the solar panel and thread the wire through the smaller pot. Leave enough slack so the pump can sit at the top, just peeking over the edge, I taped my wire in place to make sure it was secure. Once you’ve adjusted the wire position, seal the hole around the wire with exterior-safe. waterproof caulk to prevent leaks.

Let the caulk fully dry, I left mine overnight.
The next day, fill the small pot with a bit of water to check for leaks. If you notice any, dry it off and add another thin layer of caulk until it’s completely watertight. We don’t want our fountain running dry!

P.S. If you used tape don’t forget to remove it.

Step 3: The Larger Pot

Once your smaller pot is sealed and ready, feed the remaining wire through the larger pot. Fill the large pot with soil, leaving enough room at the top for the smaller pot to sit securely.

Set the smaller pot on top of the larger one. If you have any extra wire now is the time to pull it out of the bottom of the large pot, then we can adjust The pots until they’re nice and level. This is an important step, if the top pot is tilted, the water will flow unevenly. Take a moment to check from all angles and make sure it’s sitting straight before continuing.

Step 4: The Plants

Now for my favorite part… decorating! Add flowers or small plants around the edge where the two pots meet to blend everything together.

If you want a soft, romantic look, try trailing plants like lobelia, ivy, bacopa, or sweet alyssum that cascade beautifully over the sides. For a Mediterranean feel, small herbs like thyme or creeping rosemary look lovely too.

Just make sure to choose plants that won’t grow too tall or wild, you don’t want them overshadowing the fountain itself.

Step 5: Hide the Pump

Next, fill the top (smaller) pot with decorative stones or large pebbles. This helps raise the pump to the correct height and hides it from view. Don’t be afraid to cover the pump entirely, it will still work just fine. Just make sure to raise the spout slightly above the top of the pot so it sits above the water level.

I went with natural river rock because I love the organic, earthy feel, but you can easily customize the look to your style. All-white or all-black pebbles create a clean, modern vibe, while glass beads or polished stones add a touch of sparkle.

If you go with natural rocks, they often come with a layer of dust so you will want to wash them well to avoid clogging your pump.

Step 6: Fill and Test

Once everything’s in place, fill the smaller pot with clean water. Reconnect the solar panel and test your fountain to make sure it’s running as expected.

If you notice the flow isn’t even, adjust the pump height or check that your top pot is level. When it’s working perfectly, place your solar panel in a sunny spot so it can charge fully and keep the fountain flowing!

Most solar pumps come with a variety of fountain heads so you can experiment with different water effects. Try a few out until you find the one that fits your garden style best.

Top Tip: If your fountain sits on gravel, you can easily use the gravel to disguise the wire running from the pot to the solar panel. It’s a small touch that keeps everything neat and seamless.

Final thoughts

This project was such a satisfying reminder that you don’t need fancy tools or professional help to create something beautiful. With a few pots, a solar pump, and a little patience, you can build a peaceful garden fountain that looks far more expensive than it actually is.

I’m learning new DIY skills with every project I take on, and if you’ve been wanting to try something simple and rewarding, this is the perfect place to start.

If you’d like to watch this DIY fountain project from start to finish, I have a dedicated highlight on my Instagram where I share the full build and behind-the-scenes moments.

Thank you for reading

Stacey

Dawn of a Daydream

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