In the event you journey regularly or simply don’t have a inexperienced thumb, self-watering planters is likely to be the answer to maintaining your vegetation wholesome. To search out the perfect choices, we examined a dozen planters over the course of 4 months, noting how simple they have been to make use of and the way properly our vegetation fared.
However how precisely do they work? “Self-watering pots work by capillary motion,” says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, plant knowledgeable of The Houseplant Guru. “The water reservoir on the backside of the planter is crammed and the plant soaks it up from the underside. If a wicking materials is used, the wick attracts the water up into the plant. The plant father or mother solely has to maintain the reservoir stuffed with water in order that the plant can draw up the water.”
Whether or not you’re searching for a dangling self-watering basket in your parched petunias or a big, putting planter with an enormous water reservoir for a sunny deck, the record under has one thing for each gardener.
What We Advocate
We examined a dozen standard self-watering planters in the marketplace in our properties, evaluating every primarily based on its effectiveness, design, ease of use, options, and worth. To study extra about how we examined self-watering planters, try our testing course of under.
Although the Tierra Verde Sonata planter is made out of recycled tires, it has the high-end look of fiberglass. It is available in seven totally different dimensions and shapes, so you could find the right one in your area. We selected a traditional rectangular design, which appeared fashionable and blended properly into our area.
This trough-style planter is nearly indestructible—they’re designed to withstand cracking and crumbling, even in freezing temperatures. The producer even gives a 365-day no-cracking assure. There have been no indicators of weathering or harm on the finish of the testing interval.
We breezed by way of the setup; all that’s required is to slip two divider panels into place, which assist assist the construction of the planter. If utilizing open air, you’ll doubtless wish to take away the drainage plugs to make sure the planters don’t get water-logged in heavy rain.
To refill the reservoir, we merely watered the soil and extra water collected within the reservoir under. We have been very impressed at how these planters stored outside vegetation vibrant and wholesome, even in sizzling 90 diploma climate. We refilled the water reservoir of those planters each week or so, although it may be troublesome to know when to refill due to the shortage of a water gauge.
Product Particulars: Sizes: 4, 10.3, 12, 14, 18, 24, and 28 inches | Materials: Recycled rubber | Indoor/Out of doors: Indoor and outside
Key Phrases to Know
- Wicking: Absorbing or drawing off liquid utilizing capillary motion. That is how vegetation absorb water in self-watering planters.
- Oxygen circulation: Oxygen circulation is essential for root well being. Many self-watering planters have drainage holes or different design options to encourage air move.
These pots from Gardenix are the perfect self-watering planters for the price range acutely aware. The nested pot set has an internal plant holder with legs to make sure your vegetation are lifted above the water, which helps stop root rot. These planters even have a water-level indicator that can assist you know when it’s time to water.
This pot comes with coco coir soil as a part of the self-watering system. Coco coir is product of coconut shell fibers and is understood for its glorious water retention and drainage. This planting medium helps guarantee your plant’s roots get oxygen in addition to water. The producer recommends you employ common potting combine along with the coco coir.
We have been impressed by how simple this was to place collectively—it solely took three minutes to assemble by inserting the inside pot into the outside pot and sliding the water indicator into place. To refill the reservoir, you merely pour water into the slot between the inside and exterior pots.
This pot is out there in a number of colours: white, grey, purple, and teal. We cherished that the pots didn’t seem like plastic, however famous that the fabric appeared like it might expertise weathering if used outdoors.
Product Particulars: Sizes: 7 inches | Materials: Plastic, polypropylene | Indoor/Out of doors: Indoor
In the event you’re seeking to splurge, we predict the Crescent Backyard pot is value it. The planter is designed with recycled, high-grade polyethylene to keep away from fading within the sizzling summer season solar and cracking in chilly winters. Regardless that it’s product of a heavy-duty materials, we discovered the planter surprisingly light-weight and simple to maneuver. The double-walled design helps defend plant roots from excessive temperature modifications and likewise presents further reservoir area for water. These planters are constructed to final and the producer presents a 10-year restricted guarantee.
You’ll be able to go as much as six weeks with out watering with this planter, and it has a useful water stage indicator for straightforward monitoring. It is available in 4 sizes and 11 totally different colours in tasteful impartial shades. We appreciated that this planter resembled a clay pot and that it got here prepared to make use of out of the field—it even consists of an instruction booklet with planting suggestions and a plant styling information.
The reservoir was simple to fill from the rim of the planter; there’s a drainage gap and it’s endorsed to take away the purple waterproof plug to stop overwatering when utilizing open air. When the reservoir is full, a hidden overfill tube will drain out the surplus water, serving to to stop root rot. The one draw back we seen was the value, however thought the prime quality and longevity made it a worthwhile funding.
Product Particulars: Sizes: 18, 22, 26, and 30 inches | Materials: Excessive-density polyethylene | Indoor/Out of doors: Out of doors
For a trendy indoor choice, we advocate the HBServices planter. It encompasses a high pot with slotted cutouts on the underside and hole legs which might be inserted right into a reservoir. This design retains the roots above the water, serving to to stop overwatering. The open slats on the underside of the pot additionally assist maintain the roots oxygenated by encouraging air circulation, stopping root rot. To examine the water stage, merely carry the highest as much as examine the water reservoir beneath.
The underside reservoir saucer is functionally designed, with risers that carry it off the bottom to stop water stains on the ground. We additionally appreciated utilizing the handy watering clip to fill the reservoir.
Although this planter is product of plastic, it has color-fast properties and a shiny look that makes it seem much like ceramic. Nevertheless, it isn’t essentially the most sturdy plastic, and it might crack or chip if dropped.
Product Particulars: Sizes: 8 inches | Materials: Plastic, polypropylene | Indoor/Out of doors: Indoor
Hanging vegetation, particularly these stored on porches, will be troublesome to maintain watered. They’re usually below overhangs in order that they don’t obtain rainfall, and to achieve them, you could want to tug out a heavy step stool. A self-watering hanging planter is the right answer to maintain your hanging outside vegetation hydrated.
This selection has a traditional wicker design that lends itself to nearly any area and features a chain for hanging. The planter has a gauge with most and minimal traces, so it is simple to inform if you must add water. There’s additionally a water port for straightforward filling and a drainage plug. Nevertheless, the port so as to add water is small, so it’s simple to overlook when watering.
It solely took a couple of minutes to arrange; simply insert the water-level indicator into its slot, put the liner into the outer shell, and hold. We appreciated that it had a detachable internal liner that made it simpler to plant and unplant. The planter and its chains held up properly over the testing interval with none points.
The climate was highly regarded over the testing interval, so we needed to refill each different day or so because the water reservoir is small, which was a draw back of this planter. The pot does have an overflow system that may drain out water when the reservoir is just too full, which helps stop waterlogged soil.
Product Particulars: Sizes: 10.75 inches | Materials: Polyester | Indoor/Out of doors: Out of doors
This contemporary planter arrives as a set of three. They’re product of sturdy plastic and units are available in 9 totally different stable and speckled colours so you possibly can choose one that may simply mix into your decor.
The planter self-waters by way of a wicking wire, which have to be put in on the backside of the pot by feeding it by way of the drainage holes within the backside of the planter. A wicking wire attracts water up from the reservoir to the roots.
There is not a gauge or indicator, so to examine the water stage we needed to bodily look into the opening between the planter and the reservoir or stick our finger in to really feel for water, which was inconvenient. Nevertheless, we cherished the clip-on funnel used to pour water into the reservoir.
Drainage holes on the backside of the pot improve airflow to the roots for plant well being. Nevertheless, we discovered it troublesome to lock the underside water reservoir into place and even dropped the reservoir just a few occasions. Due to this, we advise checking that it’s locked in place earlier than filling with water.
Product Particulars: Sizes: 9,10, and 12 inches | Materials: Plastic | Indoor/Out of doors: Indoor
This set of three rectangular planters are designed for use on window sills and are nice for rising herbs. Herbs, equivalent to basil and thyme, usually require a whole lot of daylight and can do greatest if positioned in a sunny window. The planters are light-weight in order that they aren’t too heavy for a windowsill, even with a full water reservoir.
There’s a useful nook water-filling port, which you should use whereas the highest pot continues to be in place to shortly fill the reservoir. There’s additionally a viewing window so you possibly can simply examine the water stage contained in the planter. These planters can last as long as two weeks with out watering and have two wicking strips per pot. As a result of the climate was sizzling through the testing interval and we have been utilizing the pots open air, the water reservoirs wanted to be refilled about each three days.
Nevertheless, the planters overfilled simply when it rained, which might result in root rot and plant harm. We additionally didn’t like that there was no simple technique to drain extra water out of the planter. These elements led us to conclude that these planters are greatest used indoors.
Product Particulars: Sizes: 5.5 inches | Materials: Plastic | Indoor/Out of doors: Indoor
The Winston Porter Cameron planter advertises all-weather sturdiness with UV safety, and lives as much as its promise. We thought this planter carried out exceptionally properly, lasting a complete winter open air with none cracks or fading. The plastic is coated with a plastic resin that provides it a pleasant matte end and helps defend it from the weather. This planter is available in 14 totally different colours and eight sizes so you possibly can customise it to suit your wants.
The self-watering disc on this planter helps stop root rot and permits roots to obtain oxygen. Nevertheless, this planter doesn’t include pre-drilled drainage holes, so if you’d like drainage you’ll need to drill the holes your self. We opted to not drill holes and didn’t expertise any root rot or heavy overflow.
When stored outdoors, this planter hardly ever wanted to be watered and the vegetation thrived. The planter is extremely low-maintenance and sturdy.
Product Particulars: Sizes: 5.25, 7, 8.5, 10.25, 13.75, 15, and 17 inches | Materials: Plastic, resin | Indoor/Out of doors: Each
The Backside Line
The earth-friendly Tierra Verde Sonata planter gives each type and performance and is the perfect total self-watering planter. This fashionable planter retains vegetation well-watered and is nearly indestructible, designed to withstand cracking and crumbling even in freezing temperatures.
Our Testing Course of
Our testing group adopted a step-by-step testing course of to judge every planter, testing all of the planters for a collective whole of 5,184 hours. First, we unboxed the planters and set them up, noting if directions have been supplied and the way simple they have been to comply with in addition to the time it took to arrange. We noticed the feel and appear of the planters and whether or not they have been product of excessive or low high quality materials.
Then, we planted the pots and positioned them in our properties, utilizing them over a interval of weeks to months. We used the water indicator if the planter had one and recorded how simple it was to see the water stage and refill the reservoir.
We rated the planters on the model and if it enhanced their area. In addition they famous if the design included drainage and air flow to stop root rot. We often checked the soil moisture to see if the planter was self-watering successfully and noticed if their vegetation confirmed any indicators of misery or well being.
On the finish of the testing interval, we recorded any harm or weathering the planters skilled. We additionally famous our total expertise with the planter, and whether or not we thought it was well worth the worth.
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What to Know About Self-Watering Planters Earlier than Purchasing
Wicking Technique
Self-watering planters work in two other ways.
Some self-watering planters make the most of a wick to maintain the soil inside moist. “A wicking materials can be utilized to wick-water a plant,” Eldred Steinkopf says. “Acrylic string or yarn is the perfect wick to make use of. Cotton can be utilized, but it surely rots, so just isn’t your best option.”
She provides that wicks will be positioned within the pot, both inside the underside or up the facet, so long as not one of the string hangs from the highest of the soil, as that may wick water out of the plant. The wick then hangs out a drainage gap right into a water container, wicking up water into the potting combine.
Different self-watering pots don’t have any wick, and as an alternative the roots drink straight from a water reservoir on the backside of the pot.
On this case, “the plant roots draw the water up into the soil from the reservoir,” Eldred Steinkopf says. “Often, there’s a tube within the pot that you just pour the water into to maintain the reservoir full. There might also be an indicator that reminds you the reservoir is empty,” she says.
Refill Frequency
The frequency with which you’ll must refill your self-watering planter relies upon totally on the scale of the reservoir. A big reservoir that may maintain a whole lot of water might not have to be refilled for as much as six weeks, whereas smaller reservoirs might have to be refilled each few days.
Eldred Steinkopf cautions, “Simply because they’re ‘self-watering,’ bear in mind you continue to should fill the reservoirs; this can be an extended or shorter interval relying on the sunshine ranges, the kind of plant, and the temperature.”
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Oxygen Circulation
Oxygen circulation across the roots is essential to stop root rot and to have a contented, wholesome plant. Self-watering planters encourage air circulation in just a few other ways, together with drainage holes and slotted bottoms.
Materials
Most self-watering planters are product of artificial supplies, equivalent to plastic or rubber. These supplies are sometimes engineered to keep away from sun-bleaching in the summertime and cracking within the chilly winter months. Nevertheless, some plastics are higher than others, and lower-quality plastic pots will do greatest indoors.
Different Self-Watering Planters We Examined
Lechuza 15392 Dice Cottage Self-Watering Planter
Whereas we cherished the trendy design and the sturdiness of this Lechuza planter, it did fall brief, because the directions for meeting have been primarily in German.
Keter City Bloomer 12.7 Gallon Raised Backyard Mattress with Self Watering Planter Field and Drainage Plug
This Keter planter disillusioned us, because it felt flimsy and low high quality—it even fell over on a windy day and broken the vegetation. It was additionally unclear find out how to greatest use the planter, and the straightforward meeting didn’t make up for these shortcomings.
Metropolis Pickers 24,5 in. x 20.5 in. Patio Raised Backyard Mattress Develop Field Package
This planter from Metropolis Pickers had a considerably advanced set-up, and to make it extra sophisticated, the directions arrived broken and troublesome to comply with. As well as, the self-watering characteristic didn’t work and the vegetation within the pot shortly confirmed indicators of misery. We did recognize that the planter included wheels for simpler motion.
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Your Questions, Answered
Are you able to overwater with self-watering pots?
Whereas outside planters which have drainage holes or overflow programs are unlikely to be over-watered, self-watering planters used indoors with their drainage holes plugged are in danger for over-watering.
“If the potting combine is just too heavy, that means it’s a combine that holds a whole lot of water, the plant might have an excessive amount of water round its roots,” Eldred Steinkopf says. “That is very true for inside vegetation—it will not be an enormous concern outdoors.”
As well as, she says you possibly can over-water if the wick is just too thick and it takes up an excessive amount of water into the foundation space.
What vegetation should not appropriate for self-watering pots?
Whereas most vegetation are appropriate for self-watering planters, Eldred-Steinkopf advises, “I might not use self-watering pots for cacti or different succulents…they’ve shallow root programs and like to not be moist all the time.”
Do self-watering planters trigger root rot?
Root rot can occur below many circumstances, not simply with self-watering planters. “The soil combine used within the planter could be the explanation for the rot,” Eldred Steinkopf says. “Additionally, selecting the improper plant or the improper thickness of wicking might end in root rot.”
Who We Are
This text was written by Higher Houses & Gardens contributor Rachel Ahrnsen. She is a Grasp Gardener who spent hours researching self-watering planters. To put in writing this text, she utilized testing insights from BHG’s in-house testing group. She additionally consulted Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, a houseplant knowledgeable who runs the The Houseplant Guru weblog.
What’s BHG Recommends?
Subsequent to all the merchandise on this record, you’ll have seen our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Merchandise that earn the seal have been put by way of rigorous testing to verify they’re value a spot in your house. We purchase a lot of the merchandise we take a look at ourselves, however often we’re supplied samples by corporations if shopping for is not an choice. In these instances, we use the identical testing standards we use to check the bought merchandise.