UFO Planter is a two-part floating planter designed to look like a tiny spaceship hovering above your table. The top part is the planter “dish” where the soil and plant sit, and the bottom part is a solid cone-shaped base that holds everything up. When assembled, the base creates the visual effect of a glowing beam or “tractor ray,” making it feel like your plant is the alien passenger.

Inside the design, the planter features small drainage holes so that any excess water falls into the base instead of leaking out. The base then acts as a reservoir. A cotton cord runs from this reservoir back up into the soil, slowly bringing the stored water back to the plant through absorption. This means the plant can re-hydrate itself over time — essentially a simple self-watering system hidden inside a playful, space-themed object.

The result is a practical and decorative planter that requires very little maintenance and adds personality to any room. It’s visually fun, conceptually clever, and works without electronics or complicated parts — just gravity, wicking, and a hint of extraterrestrial charm.

How to Print
The UFO Planter prints in two separate pieces: the top planter and the base. Both are printed flat on the build plate and do not require supports. I used a 0.2 mm layer height and around 20% infill. For the base, especially if printed in translucent filament, you can experiment with different infill patterns for visual effects, or increase wall thickness for a clean, smooth look. Make sure the base has at least six bottom layers to ensure it holds water without leaking.

Once printed, insert a cotton wick through the hollow channel inside the base so that one end sits in the water reservoir and the other reaches the soil inside the planter. Then simply place the planter on top, add soil and your plant, water once normally, and let the system regulate moisture on its own.