The 12 Best Self-Watering Planters of 2022

We love the plastic-free modern design of this planter, which consists of a terracotta planter nestled inside a larger glass reservoir. Fill the reservoir with water, and your plants roots will absorb just the right amount of water through the planter’s walls. The clear glass design makes it easy to see when it’s time to add more water. 

It’s available in three sizes, and can be used indoors or outdoors as long as the air temperature stays above freezing. If you have a favorite plant or flower that you’ve tried to grow in the past but haven’t succeeded, you might try again with a self-watering pot. It might be just the thing to help you make it work.

Price at time of publish: $85

If you’re crafty and have tools for cutting glass, this style of wine bottle planter is possible to DIY. Or you can save yourself some time and get an upcycled planter from a maker on Etsy, like this one based in California. These planters are perfect for planting herbs in front of a sunny window, and each one is created from an empty wine bottle. 

The self-watering rope is secured through the bottle’s cork, so virtually no part of the wine bottle goes unused. You can choose a planter with or without a chalkboard label.

This beautiful handcrafted pot features four holes around the base of the planter, allowing your plant to draw water up from the outer dish as needed. Each ceramic pot in made-to-order by Etsy maker Angela in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. She also offers white, green, and deeper shades of blue. 

Because each pot is handmade, the hight and diameter may vary, and may take two to four weeks to craft and ship. 

Price at time of publish: $65

If you truly want the most affordable solution, buy these watering spikes in bulk. They allow you to turn just about any existing gardening pot into a self-watering one. All you need is a recycled wine bottle or another glass bottle. Fill with water and then add to the spike for a slow-release watering system. These are popular to use while on vacation, and they work great for everyday use as well.  While it’s not a full planter, it’s a nice way to convert many of your favorite pots into a more sustainable option.

Price at time of publish: $26

Have your dream windowsill garden with this planter box. The shape of the container is purposefully designed to give your plants more room to take root and grow bigger. This set of three boxes comes in three colors—coffee, orange, and green. At around 10 inches long and 4 inches deep, they give you plenty of space for your favorite herbs.

The box material is sturdy, fade-free, crack-resistant, and safe for food. These would also make the perfect gift for a gardener in your life.

Price at time of publish: $31

Hanging planters in general don’t tend to be the most efficient when it comes to watering. As soon as you water most hanging baskets, it drips out and you need to add more. This leads to a lot of watering—and honestly, a lot of forgetting, which can lead to wilt-y or dead plants. But you don’t have to worry about that with self-watering hanging baskets.

They are perfect to use inside or out, and you can finally go on vacation without needing someone to stop in and check on your plants. This particular design comes in a two pack and has four different colors to choose from. They are made from a durable plastic that shouldn’t rust, peel, or fade.

Price at time of publish: $26

Are you looking for a container big enough to recreate one of those container recipes that you see at the garden center or online? This 14-inch cube will do it. It includes a liner, which you can lift out and in for easy planting. This also allows you to separate your plants from the water reservoir to aerate plant roots and give it room for optimal nutrition.

This planter also includes a drainage plug, so if excess water collects outside from rainwater, then you can easily drain it. You can choose from three different colors, all which mimic a classy concrete look. The planter weighs 3.3 pounds.

Price at time of publish: $90

This is one of the largest self-watering planters on the market, sitting around 44 inches wide by nearly 20 inches deep. It has a water gauge that will tell you exactly when you need to add more water. It also has an added drainage system in case it rains more than your plants need.

Put this planter anywhere you want (the rattan design is weather resistant), and it’s especially popular on a deck or patio. It’s big enough to grow your favorite flowers, veggies, or herbs. It weighs 18.5 pounds, so it’s sturdy but may not be easy to move when full.

Price at time of publish: $169

This affordable pot is specifically designed to keep insects out, which can often be a problem for indoor plants. In addition, it’s created to have good air circulation for overall root health—another must for houseplants. The water indicator will show you at a quick glance how much water you have left in the water reservoir, allowing you to reduce your watering to only once a week or even less. With more than 10 different pot colors to choose from, you’ll be able to find one that matches your decor.

Price at time of publish: $40

This unique ceramic planter will make a statement in anyone’s home, and it’s especially good for trailing houseplants as they grow and hang over the edges. According to the creator, it has a “patented sub-irrigation system that allows plants to drink from the roots, just as nature intended.” It’s not a very big planter, but you can be sure it’s one you’ll have for many years and will keep your plants thriving. It’s available in eight colors: pale salmon, terracotta, speckled egg, white, black, grey, yellow, and cobalt blue.

Price at time of publish: $37

If you’re interested in taking the hydroponic plunge, The Farmstand offers a flexible model that lets you grow anywhere from 12 to 36 plants. Available in five sizes, you can add or subtract stackable rings to accommodate your desired number of plants.

This planter is made from recycled plastic, and uses 95 percent less water than traditional gardening. It will need to be plugged in at all times to run the planter’s pump, and you may also want to consider adding a drip tray underneath it. For every 10 of these planters sold, one Farmstand is donated to schools, nonprofits and community organizations through a partnership with the Whole Kids Foundation. 

Price at time of publish: $399