When it comes to plant parenthood, not all of us are blessed with a green thumb. But that doesn't mean filling your space with luscious greenery is out of the question! For those who have trouble remembering to water their plants on a schedule, these self-watering planters are just the solution to your plant problems.
Self-watering planters work by drawing water from an internal reservoir — usually via a fabric cord or porous terracotta barrier. This moistens the soil, and from there, the plant's roots can absorb the amount of water they need. This method helps to prevent hard-to-fix issues from overwatering, such as root rot. If you have tropical plants that require keeping the soil moist, a self-watering planter can help prevent them from drying out: You'll just need to keep the reservoir topped off more often.
Whether you're a longtime horticulture enthusiast or new to the houseplant game, these 10 self-watering planters will keep your greens happy and thriving.
Terracotta and fluted glass? Yes, please. Terracotta is a porous material that can dry out quickly, but when placed in water, it actually allows the water to pass through the material and into the soil inside.
This planter is made of a fluted glass reservoir that houses a pedestal-like terracotta planter, so you just have to set it in the glass portion for perfectly watered plants.
We're big fans of the simple look of this self-watering planter from Wet Pot. This simple system also submerges a terracotta pot in a crystal-clear glass cup: This way, you can easily monitor the water level each day.
Sometimes, less is more. This pot can be used indoors or outdoors, and you can even fill the water reservoir without removing the planter on top. Simply pour some water into the saucer when it needs a refill, and you're good to go.
If you're looking for something that can double as a sculptural decor object, this self-watering planter from The Sill is just the thing.
Made of lightweight, matte aluminum, the two-part system works similarly to other self-watering planters: It uses a cord that soaks up water from the internal reservoir to keep the soil nice and moist. You can simply lift the bowl to check how much water is left in the bottom part.
When we're starting plants from seed with a gardening kit, all we want to do is check on them constantly ... and give them a little too much attention. This sweet self-watering planter from designer Anne Fletcher, however, will ensure that you don't overwater your precious seedlings.
Once you have your seeds planted in soil, just fill the reservoir cup, and the porous material of the planter will slowly draw it to the plants' roots as needed. You can see exactly how much water is left — so when it starts looking low, that's when you refill.
If you have a thin railing on your porch or balcony, it's the perfect place to hang this planter. Instead of drainage holes at the very bottom, this self-watering planter has an internal reservoir that saves excess water until the soil dries up.
Reviewers also love how sturdy this unit is, and how well it holds up to windy weather. Just make sure you measure your railing before you buy!
If your space lacks the natural light for a flourishing windowsill garden, check out the AeroGarden Harvest. This indoor planter can grow six 12-inch tall plants at a time in its hydroponic pod system, thanks to its 20-watt LED grow light. (It'll work wherever you can safely plug it in.)
It also features a sleek digital display with illuminated push-button controls, an internal water pump that periodically runs to help oxygenate the water, and built-in settings to remind users when to add more plant food and water.
Self-watering planters are great for dry climates — or for those times when you just don't feel like lugging a hose around the yard.
You can hang this affordable set of seven planters on a fence or wall — a great option for trailing plants. And if your space allows for it, you can even make an entire DIY plant wall with them!
Short on space? This contraption sits perfectly inside an aluminum can. Take your favorite craft beer cans and turn them into planters by using a can opener to remove the top, fill it with water, and insert the plastic self-watering component for a DIY planter.
If you want to amp up your gardening game, Lettuce Grow's Farmstand allows you to grow up to 36 plants in one container. Instead of sprinkling the individual plants with water, you can just fill up the base with a hose.
This system works more like a hydroponic garden than a traditional self-watering planter, but it comes with a kit that includes everything you need to have a lush garden.
Melanie YatesSenior Home Decor EditorMelanie is the senior home decor editor of Best Products, where she's been researching and testing out home and bedding products since 2015 — her work can also be found on House Beautiful and Women's Health.
Katherine PittmanAssociate EditorKatherine (Katie) is the associate editor of Best Products, where she gathers unique gift ideas, tests out buzzy products, and puts too many items in her cart for research — her work can also be found on MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Oprah Daily.
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