What to Know About Self-Watering Planters Before Shopping

Wicking Method

Self-watering planters work in two different way—with a wick or a water reservoir.

“A wicking material can be used to wick-water a plant,” says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, a houseplant expert who runs the The Houseplant Guru blog. “Acrylic string or yarn is the best wick to use. Cotton can be used, but it rots, so is not the best choice.”

She adds that wicks can be placed in the pot, either inside the bottom or up the side, as long as none of the string hangs from the top of the soil, as that will wick water out of the plant.

The wick then hangs out a drainage hole into a water container, wicking up water into the potting mix.

For self-watering plants with reservoirs, the roots drink directly from a water reservoir at the bottom of the pot. 

“The plant roots draw the water up into the soil from the reservoir,” Eldred Steinkopt says. “Usually, there is a tube in the pot that you pour the water into to keep the reservoir full. There may also be an indicator that reminds you the reservoir is empty.”

Refill Frequency

The frequency with which you’ll need to refill your self-watering planter depends primarily on the size of the reservoir.

A large reservoir that can hold a lot of water may not need to be refilled for up to six weeks, while smaller reservoirs may need to be refilled every few days.

“Just because they are ‘self-watering,’ remember you still have to fill the reservoirs,” Eldred Steinkopf says. “This may be a longer or shorter period depending on the light levels, the type of plant, and the temperatures.”

Oxygen Circulation

Oxygen circulation around the roots is crucial to prevent root rot and to have a happy, healthy plant. Self-watering planters encourage air circulation in a few different ways, including drainage holes and slotted bottoms. 

Other Self-Watering Planters We Tested

Lechuza 15392 Cube Cottage Self-Watering Planter

While we loved the stylish design and the durability of this Lechuza planter, it did fall short, as the instructions for assembly were primarily in German. 

Keter Urban Bloomer 12.7 Gallon Raised Garden Bed with Self Watering Planter Box and Drainage Plug

This Keter planter disappointed us, as it felt flimsy and low quality—it even fell over on a windy day and damaged the plants. It was also unclear how to best use the planter, and the easy assembly did not make up for these shortcomings.

City Pickers 24,5 in. x 20.5 in. Patio Raised Garden Bed Grow Box Kit

This planter from City Pickers had a somewhat complex set-up, and to make it more complicated, the instructions arrived damaged and difficult to follow. In addition, the self-watering feature did not work and the plants in the pot quickly showed signs of distress. We did appreciate that the planter included wheels for easier movement.

A person checks the drainage on the Lechuza Cube Cottage Self-Watering Planter

Better Homes & Gardens

Your Questions, Answered

Can you overwater with self-watering pots?

While outdoor planters that have drainage holes or overflow systems are unlikely to be over-watered, self-watering planters used indoors with their drainage holes plugged are at risk for over-watering.

“If the potting mix is too heavy, meaning it is a mix that holds a lot of water, the plant could have too much water around its roots,” Eldred Steinkopf says. “This is especially true for inside plants—it may not be a big concern outside.”

In addition, she says you can over-water if the wick is too thick and it takes up too much water into the root area.

What plants are not suitable for self-watering pots?

While most plants are suitable for self-watering planters, some plants prefer drier conditions. “I would not use self-watering pots for cacti or other succulents…they have shallow root systems and prefer not to be moist all of the time,” Eldred-Steinkopf says.

Do self-watering planters cause root rot?

Root rot can happen under many circumstances, not just with self-watering planters.

“The soil mix used in the planter would be the reason for the rot,” Eldred Steinkopf says. “Also, choosing the wrong plant or the wrong thickness of wicking could result in root rot.”

Who We Are

This article was written by Better Homes & Gardens contributor Rachel Ahrnsen. She is a Master Gardener who spent hours researching self-watering planters. To write this article, she utilized testing insights from BHG’s in-house testing team. She also consulted Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, a houseplant expert who runs the The Houseplant Guru blog.