The Best Self-Watering Planters Take Care of Your Plants for You (2024)

Our Top Picks

For a stylish, functional, and value-packed self-watering planter, you can't go wrong with this plastic planter pot from Room Essentials. It comes in five different sizes and six different colors, so you can match it to your other garden and home decor; plus, it has a very simple design that will ensure your plants steal the show.

To use this planter, you must add water via the small port near the base. The brand suggests using a narrow-spout watering can since the port is quite small; using one will ensure you don't make a mess. The water will collect in the bottom tray for the plant to use as needed. The only downside is that the more solid design can make it tougher to see when the water tray needs a refill.

All that said, this planter is very portable. At less than a pound, it's easy to move around as needed, but it also sturdy when it's filled up with your plant, soil, and water. The plastic housing is durable for outdoor use, but it can be used indoors as well for plants that don't require drainage holes.

_{Dimensions: Various︱Material: Plastic︱Placement: Indoors or outdoors}

This Bloem self-watering planter is another great option, and is very similar in design and price to our top pick. At under $15 for a single, 12-inch pot, it's an easy option if you're looking to stock up on planters that go with your indoor decor or can be used outdoors to house a variety of flowers, vegetables, and more. It features UV protection, so the color doesn't fade if you do choose to use it outdoors.

It differs from our best overall pick in how it holds water. Instead of having a water tray that you refill regularly, this self-watering planter has a disk or screen (included in purchase) that holds excess water that your plants absorb when they need it. While there is no water indicator, this planter still ensures you can go days without watering.

Unlike our best overall pick, this option also has optional drainage holes you can punch out. Otherwise, it has a sealed base to prevent any leakage. The planter is also made of resin versus plastic.

_{Dimensions: Various︱Material: Resin︱Placement: Indoors or outdoors}

This five-piece set from Amazon has all the features you need to keep your potted plants happy and watered, all for under $25. The plastic planters are best for indoor use—even though they can be used outdoor, per the product listing—because they're on the smaller side, making them a good option for houseplants versus your hydrangeas. The set comes with three 6-inch pots, one 4.1-inch pot, and one 3.2-inch pot. (You can purchase individual 4.2 or 9.3-inch pots, which are best for larger houseplants.)

We like the clear plastic water reservoir because, in comparison to our best overall and best value picks, it's so easy to see the current water level, so you never have to guess when you need to add more. A cotton rope that is suspended in the water reservoir brings the water up to the soil and the plant’s roots, and you can go as long as two weeks without needing a refill.

However, the reservoir can show dirt after some time, so it needs to be cleaned out periodically to keep its very clean and sparkling look. That said, especially when the water is clear, these planters (that come in either gray or white) have a modern design that can blend into any decor.

_{Dimensions: 6-inch, 4.1-inch, and 3.2-inch diameters︱Material: Plastic︱Placement: Indoors}

Made of weather-resistant cedar, this elevated planter that resembles a raised garden bed makes it easy to water outdoor plants without having to kneel, bend over, or reach up. You can use it for seedlings and most mature plants. It requires some assembly, but its tongue-and-groove construction minimizes the need for tools—phew.

The impressive, 6-gallon water reservoir (the largest on this list) is located all along the bottom of the planter box. Depending on how many plants you have and their stage of growth, your water can last a few days—or a few weeks. The garden bed includes a water level indicator and reservoir fill spout at one end to make refills a breeze.

While this pick can be used indoors without worrying about damage, it is designed for outdoor use and larger growing needs. It is also heavy to move once it is assembled and filled with water and soil, so we recommend putting it together as close to its final home in your yard as possible.

_{Dimensions: 22 x 48 x 30 inches︱Material: Cedar︱Placement: Indoors or outdoors}

The design-forward Lark Manor self-watering planter is worth the splurge because of its aesthetic design and large water reservoir. While the 1-gallon water reservoir isn't as large as our best outdoor pick's, it's still enough to last a few days to a few weeks, depending on your plants. And, if you have the planter placed outside where it can collect rainwater, all you need to do is monitor the drainage holes to see whether you should add water.

You know the reservoir is full when you see water running out of the drain. The drainage holes do make this a more weather- and rust-resistant pick, while the plastic housing makes the planter easier to move. That said, we recommend it for those who live in mild climates without bouts of snow and frost.

You can add it to your porch or doorway to make a statement. It's available in four neutral colors: white, black, espresso, and graphite gray, and ultimately commands a hefty presence thanks to its 3-foot, timeless design.

_{Dimensions: 15.6 x 15.6 x 32 inches︱Material: Plastic︱Placement: Indoors or outdoors}

Planter boxes and window boxes add charm and a cottage-like feel to any home, but they can be hard to install and maintain. We love the Mayne Fairfield Window Box Planter because it's powder-coated and made of resin. It also has UV protection, giving you the option to leave it up year-round without worrying about it fading.

Although it is double-walled and durable, it's lightweight when empty, so it's also easier to install than heavier options. But, this is the only option on this list that requires wall installation, so keep that in mind when you're shopping and making a final selection. To make that process easier, it comes with steel wall-mount brackets. A generous water reservoir lives underneath the planting area.

It's available in four neutral colors to fit the style of your home, much like our best decorative pick, including white, black, graphite gray, and espresso. It's also backed by a 15-year limited warranty in case you run into issues.

_{Dimensions: 11 x 36 x 10.8 inches︱Material: Resin︱Placement: Outdoors}

Hanging planters can be hard to reach or take down, so the less you have to water them, the better. We like this self-watering hanging planter from Latitude Run. Its marbled resin basket resembles stone, but it's lightweight enough to hang anywhere. A drainage hole with a rubber stopper at the base offers versatility, too.

That drainage hole comes in handy if you're hanging the planter outdoors. You'll need it when you have a large downpour and need to extract water toprevent water-logging—which is when soil hardens so no air or water can seep through. That said, if you opt to use the hanging planter indoors, the stopper keeps the water from making a mess.

This hanging planter comes in three colors and two sizes, with the bowl able to hold 107 or 197 gallons in total (depending on the size you choose). While the pot's exterior can look like plastic in some light, know that it's a sturdy option that can survive indoor or outdoor use.

Just keep a close eye on the water level, as the self-watering reservoir doesn't make it easy to see the current water level from the ground. The rope runs thin, as well.

_{Dimensions: 4.75 x 10 x 10 or 5.75 x 12 x 12 inches︱Material: Resin︱Placement: Indoors or outdoors}

We like this vertical self-watering planter from Mr. Stacky, because it offers room for a large capacity of plants despite having a relatively small footprint. It allows you to have more space on your patio or deck. And although this stackable option is not truly self-watering, all you need to do is water the top of the planter. All the excess water will trickle down to the other plants, saving you time watering each plant individually.

We also like that you are getting multiple pots with one purchase; it has room for 20 plants. You can customize the height, depending on the number of tiers you use. Five tiers are easy to stack, in our opinion. You can also choose from two colors, too: white and terracotta.

The vertical planter also comes with a drip tray to catch any extra water. It only weighs 3 pounds, so it's easy to move around your space—but it's also best for small, lightweight plants as a result. You'll want to avoid filling up the pots with too much soil and many plants to avoid tipping.

Like other picks on our list, it's not easy to see the amount of moisture in the soil—but, again, this planter isn't 100% self-watering. It minimizes how much watering you need to do at one time, but you'll still need to check in on your plants and soil to see if they require more water on, likely, a daily basis.

_{Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 28 inches︱Material: Plastic︱Placement: Outdoors}

While many of our favorite self-watering planters don't have an easy way to see the water level or moisture level of your soil, the water level indicator on the Window Garden Aquaphoric Self-Watering planter is easy to read and use, making it the perfect choice for those who are new to gardening or using self-watering planters. The water reservoir on the bottom is on the small side, but is also very easy to fill from the spout on the side. It’s conveniently located by the water level indicator, too.

The planter itself is also on the small side; it's about the size of a teapot. While we wish it came in more sizes, the small footprint is ideal for indoor apartment gardening, and fits easily on a windowsill or countertop. The plastic construction is also ideal for indoor use; it's easy to transport and move around your space as needed and contributes to the low price point.

This pick also includes soil, and comes in three different colors. And, despite its appeal to container-gardening beginners, it's also a good choice for experienced gardeners who want something small for herbs.

_{Dimensions: 5.3 x 5.3 x 5 inches︱Material: Plastic︱Placement: Indoors}

Final Verdict