I recently started a small, potted herb garden of chives and basil. So far, I'm in love! There's something incredibly satisfying about farming a few leaves with my handy kitchen shears and throwing the herbs into my latest meal. I've gotten so attached that I worry what'll happen to my little garden when I travel, so I tracked down these attractive self-watering planters.
Shown above from left to right:
1. Karim Rashid's Grobal Self-Watering Planter, $25.00 from A+R
2. WindowSill Self-Watering Planter, $39.95 from Indoor Flower Pots
3. Jubel Self-Watering Plant Pot, $9.99 from Ikea
4. Low Profile Self Watering Ceramic Pot with Plant, $22.99 from Hirts: Pots
5. Tierra-Derco Large Self Watering Tray, $34.99 from Tierra-Derco International
MORE SELF-WATERING PLANTERS ON APARTMENT THERAPY
• Build A Self-Watering Salad Table
• Live Screen Modular Self Watering Garden
(Images: As credited above.)






White Enamel Flatwa...
They are beautiful!
There are lots of great options on how to turn pots you already own into "self watering" pots as well. Just google them. I have been Saving some larger water bottles and 2 liter bottles to make slow drip irrigation for my pots inside and out by just drilling a couple of tiny holes in the tops and planting them next to the plant. Not only does that save you from having to buy something else, but it allows you to reuse something that would have had to be recycled or thrown away.
There is also the wicking method. Coil a length of cotton rope in the soil (do this when first planting, obvs) and put the other end in a water reservoir (which can be just a plastic bottle) next to the plant. One reservoir can be used for multiple plants that are close together.
Somewhat of a mixed message, as the plants used in 3 of the 4 photos above are either epiphytic bromeliads (don't take in water through the soil) or succulents (that love to dry out between waterings and can have a really tough time in constantly moist soil - especially indoors).
Sorry to seem cranky, but emphasizing design at the expense of basic horticultural advice, is a pet peeve....
Rosekraft, I'm actually glad you brought it up. I would hate for someone to duplicate the plantings above only to be disappointed at the results. What would really work with these planters are carnivorous plants! They love moist soil but don't like their crowns watered. Some typical carnies are venus flytraps, droseras, and pitcher plants. Sure, they're not the prettiest plants in the world, but stick a drosera next to a gnat-infested houseplant and all three of you will be very happy--the gnats are drawn to the drosera like moths to a flame.
I think 3 and 4 are switched. The IKEA planter is the one with the green circle. They also have larger ones, I have three of them growing mini citrus trees!
#5 seems easy to replicate. It looks like a window box saucer with Florist foam in the bottom?