If you like having indoor plants around the house but you’ve killed every plant from aloe to ZZ, a self-watering planter might just be the solution for you. Self-watering planters can be a great option for negligent plant parents who forget to water, but they’re also ideal for helicopter plant parents. One of the most common errors new plant owners make is overwatering, and self-watering planters ensure that your plants get only as much water as they need. And if you’re regularly traveling or away from home, self-watering planters will be your plant sitter.
Self-watering planters might sound high-tech, but they’re actually remarkably simple. Self-watering planters have a reservoir that sits at the bottom of the planter. This allows the plants to basically drink as much water as they need, rather than you having to estimate when it’s time to water them. All you need to do is refill the reservoir as needed. Plus, since the reservoir sits at the bottom of the planter, water is drawn up into the roots, as opposed to sitting on the leaves. That said, there are some plants that self-watering planters may not be ideal for. For example, self-watering planters aren’t ideal for succulents and cacti, which do better in drier settings.
We’ve rounded up some of the best self-watering planters, including stylish decorative planters for inside the home, as well as larger options you can use for outdoor plants. These are the self-watering planters to buy right now.
1. Wet Pot Systems Small Self Watering Pot
BEST OVERALL
The Wet Pot’s attractive design earned it a spot on the MOMA Design Store, which is pretty much a seal of approval for good design. The pot consists of a glass base and a ceramic pot that sits inside of it. The small gap on the lip of the pot makes it easy to refill.
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2. Bloem Lp1200 Lucca Self Watering Planter
BEST OUTDOOR
If you’re looking for a planter with a classic design, the Bloem Lucca self-watering planter is a great option to get. It’s available in a range of common sizes like 6″, 8″, 12″ and 14″. The plastic planter is UV-treated to help resist sun damage. Drainage holes help prevent overfilling.
3. GreeneryUnited Sutton 15 Self Watering Pot
MOST STYLISH
Unsurprisingly, Etsy has some of the best-looking and most unique pots and planters that you can buy. The GreeneryUnited storefront has this stylish self-watering pot, which has a ball shape with a narrow base for a modern look. It’s ceramic, and it comes in black, white, terracotta, and a beige color they call pale salmon. It’s a good option for smaller plants.
4. GardenBasix Self Watering Planter
BEST SPACE-SAVING
The rectangular design of this planter from GardenBasix makes it easy to plant multiple types of plants in one pot. It’s also space-saving and can sit on a kitchen counter, windowsill or shelf. It’s a great option for growing fresh herbs for your kitchen.
5. Urban Outfitters Izzie Self-Watering Planter
ALSO GREAT
Urban Outfitters’ clothes may be pretty trendy, but their home line consistently delivers stylish and classic-looking pieces. This planter is no exception. It consists of a terracotta-colored ceramic pot that sits in a ridged glass base. The base acts as the reservoir for the water, and the glass construction makes it easy to see how much water is inside. The base comes in clear or green glass.
6. Room Essentials Self-Watering Planter
BEST VALUE
Target’s aptly named Room Essentials has pretty much everything you need for your home or apartment at a typically very fair price. Many of Room Essentials’ offerings can have a dormy feel, but plenty of their products work well in a grown-up space. This planter has a very basic design and is available in multiple colors or sizes.
7. Lechuza Cubico Color 30 Self-Watering Garden Planter
BEST UPGRADE
The Lechuza Cubico self-watering planter is a great option if you have larger plants. It’s nearly 2′ tall, and it comes in white, dark brown or slate gray. It’s available in even larger sizes, too. The Lechuza planter works for indoors or outdoors. A water-level indicator makes it easy to ensure the reservoir is full. It’s a splurge for sure, so it’s best for any very dedicated plant lovers.
8. AeroGarden Harvest Slim
MOST HIGH-TECH
If your plants are decorative, then many of the other stylish options on this list will work well. But if you’re looking to grow herbs and produce to eat, then you might want something a little more advanced. This high-tech planter has energy-efficient LED grow lights, and there are indicators when you need to add water or plant food. Plus, the seed kit includes basil, parsley, dill, mint and thyme.