11 Self-Watering Planters That Will Legit SAVE Your Greenery

Leave it to West Elm to design the most midcentury-looking self-watering planter (a concept that definitely did not exist in the post-War years). This bright blue one is our favorite, especially when paired next to the red metal lamp (sadly, it is not available anymore, but this one is still on offer!), and it is giving us serious Piet Mondrian vibes. Plus, unlike some of the other options on our list, this one is equal parts opaque and transparent, so you can see the magic happening without sacrificing style.

There's something kind of intriguing about a transparent self-watering planter because you can literally see the magic happening in front of you. You'll know when the soil is a little too dry, a little too wet, or a little too low. However, because this glass planter is self-watering, there's not a whole lot you, the plant parent, need to do. The culprit responsible for keeping your plants perfectly hydrated? A rope, which sucks up water from the base and delivers it to the soil when it's feeling a bit too dry.

This gorgeous planter is made from mouth-blown glass in a two-toned clear and olive green color. It uses a cotton water cord that slowly draws up moisture from a reservoir, making it both simple to use and beautiful to display. Fill the inner pot with soil and your moisture-loving plant of choice, and let nature do the rest.

This high-tech indoor plant system could be a great fit for the extra dedicated plant parent (and the high-maintenance plant babies). It's tall, sleek, and great for growing vegetables that need height but lack outdoor space. A built-in water pump sets water flowing through the columns a few times daily, but the water schedule is completely customizable to your plants' needs. It also pairs with an app that keeps track of the water levels and humidity, so it's as easy to use as possible.

For trailing, larger plants that you want to take up vertical real estate, like ferns, try one of hanging planters. You won't have to get up on a ladder every day to keep them hydrated. The clear plastic adds some texture with its ridges, but also allows you to see the water levels without needing to dig through soil. Even better: it comes with two planters for under $20!

House Beautiful gardening contributor and longtime plant lover Arricca Elin SanSone highly recommends this planter for gardeners who need to move their plants around. The sturdy casters on this garden bed make shifting it around on a patio much easier. There's a two-gallon water reservoir and a perforated aeration screen that promotes airflow, so you'll avoid drowning your plants' roots.

This compact planter is perfect for urban gardening, where you're more likely to have a fire escape or balcony than a back patio. The water fill point is easy to access at the top of the garden bed. For even more ease, a level indicator will let you know exactly when to refill the reservoir. When it gets colder and you want to move your plants indoors, use the included drip tray to prevent mess.

For senior gardeners who can't spend long hours bent over their favorite plants, raised garden beds are a great alternative to planting in rows. SanSone loves this pick for anyone who has back pain or knee issues, as the bed is at hip height to minimize time spent hunched over. Reviewers say it's easy to assemble. One shopper wrote: "I like these so well I have four of them and I bought one for my sister-in-law for her birthday. They're the perfect height no bending down. It has a nice shelf at the bottom to put pots and things on. They were also very easy to assemble."

Self-watering pots are supposed to be simple to use, and this one from West Elm lives up to that effective and easy design. Fill up the saucer at the spout, and sit back and watch your plants thrive as they slowly soak up the water through the cast stone planter. For colder climates or gardening in the winter, the pot is frost-proof to protect your plants.