All about self-watering planters

What is a self-watering farmer?

Suppose you are a busy person who doesn’t stay at home for a long time. Or you don’t have anyone to water your plants regularly. Then it would help if you had self-watering planters. If you don’t want your plants to dry out or are at a difficult place like a balcony, you must purchase a self-watering farmer. You must be thinking of reading the name “self-watering planter” to mean an automatic watering system. But you wrong because such planters are made to become a consistent source of moisture to the growing plants. So you are not required to water them daily. Although every self-watering farmer looks different in shape and size, the primary technique is the same for all.

What are the parts and standard features of a water planter?

Every planter works the same; the water is directly poured into a reservoir and then sent to the planting container above it. A typical self-watering farmer consists of:

• Water reservoir

The top of the planter consists of a mix and plants and a water reservoir under it. There are a lot of pools that have different sizes for each container. The reservoirs range from 1 gallon to 5 gallons, according to planters. But before choosing any planter, always look at the size of the pool. It must be proportional to the planter’s size, so you don’t have to fill the reservoir every day. The reservoir must be enough to provide adequate moisture to the plant for a few days.

• Planting container
• Wicking mechanism
• Fill tube

Pour water directly into the reservoir by an opening known as a fill tube. The fill tube can be found at anyplace according to the company’s manufacturing. You will find some lines with caps made to avoid the pests and debris entering the reservoir. Fill tubes are attached directly to the pool so you can pour the water directly into it.

• Overflow spout

The planters come with an overflow mechanism to drain the water from the reservoir when it’s full. It’s essential for the water to drain out, so the plants don’t sit in too much water. Hence they will rot quickly.

• Water level indicator

Some renowned companies manufacture planters with a water level indicator. The indicator keeps you informed about the water in the reservoir. It’s a great system to give you a great idea about the water in the pool.

• Drainage hole with plug

The planters come with a drainage hole and plug so you can drain the water at the end of the season. It’s better to drain it before winters, so the water in the reservoir doesn’t freeze during winters.

How do self-watering planters work?

No matter how many different planters in the world exist, any farmer works in two ways only. Capillary action is the primary method of sending water from the reservoir to the plant.

1. The standard method is known as the “wick”—the wick installed in the reservoir from one end and the other in the potting mix. The wick is a capillary mat, an absorbent tube-shaped plug, or a thick string. So the wick is sucking water from the reservoir and sending it to the potting mix.
2. The other system is different from the wick, where the planting system sits in the water reservoir. The potting mix that sits in the water sends the water above to the plant through capillary action. This design is also ubiquitous.
3. The third design is very uncommon and rare—this Papular a self-watering system. Here the planter is designed so that the reservoir and the planting mix will never meet each other. This method is based on evaporation. The water from the reservoir evaporates in the summers to moisten soil at the bottom of the planter. Then the water from the bottom of the farmers spread throughout the earth. However, this design works in summers only so rejected by many users.

Why are the self-watering planters helpful?

• Regular moisture and less frequent watering

The most significant benefit of a self-watering plant the regular moisture given to your plant. There is no need to water the plants with your hand and even if you are forgetful. Especially during summers, the plants need to be watered twice. People don’t even have time to water their plants during job or work. On the other hand, a self-watering plant will work for a week.

• Use of water efficiently.

People often waste a lot of water while watering their plants. The water reservoir ensures that the water use efficiently and effectively. Rather than evaporating directly into the air, the water sent from the bottom absorbs in the soil only even when you water plants through a spray a lot of waterfalls on the ground without benefiting the plant.

• Avoids plants diseases

If you grow vegetables like tomatoes or phlox in the plant, they are often prone to get fungal diseases when the leaf remains wet. So the self-watering planter cancels out such issues by sending the water from the bottom. Grow your healthy vegetables through this method.

Note that you should not plant cactus and succulents in self-watering planters because they don’t grow well in moist conditions.

Best self-watering planters of 2021.

• Cole and Mason’s self-watering Herb keeper

The easy to refill planter comes with a handy pour spout. It is vast enough to adjust three pots within. The farmer has a water level indicator so you can know when to refill it. It’s made of plastic and size enough to fit in a fridge. This planter recommends being used for growing herbs. The herb stays fresh for a long time, with consistent moisture being provided. This triple herb keeper is one of the fanciest things on the list of self-watering planters. Besides keeping the herbs, it can work for any other plant, too—the next pads separating the water container from the plants are smartly designed. The plants won’t drown in the water and absorb the water according to their need.

• Tabor Tools self-watering planter

The stylish-looking Rattan self-watering planter is available in 8.5 and 11-inch sizes—these planters by Tabor Tools right to be kept in as indoor or outdoor plants. You can use them as an outdoor planter because of the availability of drainage plugs. The inner is easy to lift so that you can plant easily, and the overflow mechanism won’t allow a lot of water to stay in the planter. The reservoir of this planter is big enough to keep your plants hydrated for more than 28 days. A clear indicator shows you when it’s time to water the reservoir—the planter made of plastic.

• Vencer self-watering planter

You will find such planters only one in the list of self-watering growers. The shape is too unique, and no other company has made such a thing. It’s one of the shallowest and wider planters on the list. It comes in 11 inches of size and many unusual shapes. You can get the farmer at a very affordable rate, and it’s made of plastic. Plants like Begonias grow well in shallow pots like Vencer as they have a deep root that spreads sideward rather than going downwards. So if you are looking to plant any such plant, then this is the right choice. 

The shapes are usually round and rectangular. This planter has a water indicator, too, so you know the exact time of refilling the water again. The simple and straightforward design of Vencer is excellent to fit in any corner of the home.  Self Cleaning Oven

• Aquaphobic Herb Garden Tub

Ever wished to get a small herb garden placed right on the sunny window of your kitchen? Cooking and making tea using fresh herbs gives a great aroma. So if you wish to grow multiple herbs in a small area, then this self-watering planter is perfect and hassle-free to buy. You can grow several herb species in the same farmer. The Aquaphoric Herb Garden Tub is 15.75 inches long, making it most suitable for herbs like basil and mint. The fantastic thing is that this plastic self-watering planter comes with soil. The water level indicator shows you when it’s the right time to fill the reservoir again. The farmer is available in black and white color.