Attn: These Self-Watering Planters Will Turn You Into a Responsible Plant Mom
Attn: These Self-Watering Planters Will Turn You Into a Responsible Plant Mom
You may love your collection of houseplants, but chances are you don't love keeping up with their watering schedule. Even low-maintenance plants require some work on your part, and nothing's worse than returning from a vacation (or a few busy days in the office) to realize your precious plants are as dead as a doornail. If you're just too damn busy to deal with daily maintenance, you might want to invest in some self-watering planters. By providing a consistent source of moisture to your greenery, you'll be able to go way longer between waterings—not to mention it'll make your life SO much easier.
So how do they work? While not all self-watering planters have the same design, most include a reservoir on the bottom for storing your water supply, as well as a perforated planting container on top that can draw water from the reservoir as needed. Many will often include fill tubes for pouring water directly into the reservoir, a water level indicator to take the guesswork out of the equation, and an overflow mechanism allowing water to drain out if it's filled past capacity. Here are a few of our fave options for plant parents looking to make their green bbs a lil more self-sufficient.
Our top picks for self-watering planters for 2023:
Ahead, check out all the best self-watering planters you can buy for houseplants of all shapes and sizes.
1) MoMA Self-Watering Wet Pot
MoMA
Food52
$40.00
Okay, but this stunner legit belongs in the MoMA. Available in three sizes, this modern self-watering pot is made with a hand-blown glass reservoir on the outside, which—once filled—slowly seeps water through the terracotta walls of the inner pot as needed. Magic! It's also dishwater-safe and able to be used both indoors and outdoors (though pls note that these pots aren't recommended for succulents or orchids).
THE REVIEWS: "I love this planter!" one tester writes. "Before using it, my desert rose always seemed to be too wet or too dry. Since using this planter, the plant is doing great, and all I have to do is add water to the glass container once a week!"
2) Room Essentials Self-Watering Planter, Set of 2
Room Essentials
Target
$3.00
Target's self-watering planters are seriously cheap AF—and best of all, they really do work! You can get a pack of two in six size options and three colorways, and each pot includes a small port for easy watering, as well as a built-in tray to retain water. They may not be the ~fanciest~ self-watering planters around (and monitoring the water levels is a bit tough due to the design), but these bad boys def get the job done.
THE REVIEWS: "These are so great!" raves one reviewer. "They are self-watering (which for the price is unheard of!) and keep my plants healthy! It can be hard to know when to water due to the self-watering aspect, but that’s okay! You can either water through the top of the plant or through the bottom notch."
3) Self-Watering Planter and Propagation Station
Uncommon Goods
$59.00
A self-watering pot and propagation station all in one, this creation from Uncommon Goods is seriously next-level. Here's how it works: Simply repot a mature plant into the self-watering pot, and add up to three cuttings from that plant (or any plant of your choice!) to the propagation glass, which takes from the same water source. Then, watch as the two thrive together with v little upkeep.
THE REVIEWS: According to one person, "Bought this gift for my plant-loving sister. It's not only high quality but really cute. The self-water function makes it all so easy."
4) Giraffe Creation Self-Watering Plant Pots, Set of 2
Giraffe Creation
Amazon
$19.99
Another great set of two, these nine-inch planters from Giraffe Creation feature a bottom reservoir design, which can store enough water to keep your plants supplied for up to two weeks. Each planter also comes with a clip-on watering lip, where you can add water directly, as well as a cotton rope that allows your plants to absorb water from the water reservoir up through their roots. Easy peasy!
THE REVIEWS: "As someone who loves plants but also kills them, I really like anything that helps me keep them alive. This self-watering pot set helps me better regulate how much water they get," one reviewer says. "It helps me avoid over-watering them, which seems to be a common issue for me. So far, my plants are still thriving, which is really nice!"
5) Ecopots Amsterdam Round Planter
eplanters.com
$30.98
Available in four size options and five colors, the Ecopots Amsterdam Round Planter is one of the most sustainable options out there. It's made from 80 percent recycled materials and natural stone, which gives it a natural-looking finish and an amazingly lightweight (yet durable) feel. And along with the self-watering system (which includes a water level indicator), you can opt to add on a saucer to protect your floors or tabletops.
THE REVIEWS: As one customer writes, "Some of my plants are so big that terracotta pots are too heavy, especially when I have to carry the plants to the bathroom to water. Ecopots are a lot like terracotta but way lighter. They’re very attractive and the plants are happy."
6) Santino Deco Self Watering Planter
Santino
Amazon
$16.99
The design of this bestselling Santino planter is simple: It's got an external pot with a water reservoir on the bottom, an inner pot with drainage holes for the plant to absorb water on top, and a clear window for checking the water level on the side. And since this budget-friendly bb comes in tons of different sizes, colors, and sets, you can buy one for every plant in your house.
THE REVIEWS: "This self-watering planter is both attractive and functional," one tester says. "It makes caring for my plant a breeze. I don’t have to worry about over or under watering. I just make sure the reservoir has water in the plant does the rest. My plant is flourishing in this planter."
7) Greenery Unlimited Fondra Self Watering Pot
Greenery Unlimited
$89.00
Designed in collaboration with Light + Ladder, the eight-inch Fondra pot is *truly* a work of art. The unique shape was created using 3D software to simulate the physics of gravitational impact (yes, really), and it was then printed, cast in plaster, and shaped into a masterpiece. The result: the world’s first procedurally generated self-watering planter, complete with aeration stones, a sub-irrigation insert, and v little work needed on your part.
THE REVIEWS: "This planter is as gorgeous as it is an incredible self-watering planter," one review reads. "My begonia instantly put out a ton of new growth as soon as I potted it into this planter. I get so many compliments on its unique shape and color. 10/10!!"
8) King's Gardening Clever Pot
King's Gardening
amazon.com
$19.99
Whoever said planters can't be cute?? This 10-inch self-watering pot from King's Gardening is designed with an animated cloud watering gauge, which changes colors to indicate when your water reserve needs to be refilled. Both sides of the planters include watering funnels for easy (and mess-free!) refilling, and if you're not into the lil cloud design, then you can also get this pot in an owl or puppy design.
THE REVIEWS: "I just love my Clever Pot," says one buyer. "At first, I thought the cost was a bit much, but many pots that are good cost about this much. This pot is adorable and is very useful, too. It is well made and does what it is supposed to do."
9) Lechuza Classico LS Premium Planter
Lechuza
amazon.com
$57.99
Do you have large houseplants that need some extra love? Lechuza has got ya covered. The Classico LS comes in five muted colors and five size options suitable for larger plants—plus, each planter includes a recessed planter liner, which allows for easy transport and repotting. Also included: a deep water reservoir with a water level indicator that allows you to go up to 12 weeks between waterings, as well as a specially-formulated plant substrate, which helps regulate the water supplied to your plant.
THE REVIEWS: As one reviewer notes, "I've had my Lechuza planter for over 2 years now. I fill the water reservoir once every 2 months. My indoor plant is thriving and looks healthy and beautiful. I highly recommend you give this watering method a try!"
10) Loop Living Small Self Watering Cylinder Planter
thesill.com
$58.00
Made with lightweight aluminum, this smart five-and-a-half-inch planter from Loop Living is seriously unique, as it relies on ancient metal-spinning techniques to keep water separate from your plant until it gets thirsty. It comes with a saucer, a cord for self-watering, a drainage hole, and tray, and you also have the option to pair it with Loop Living's Wall Plant Hanger.
If you're too busy to deal with daily maintenance, then self-watering planters may be exactly what you need. These are all the best self-watering pot options.