The water reservoir on the bottom clearly shows the current water level. A cotton rope suspended in the water reservoir brings water up to the soil and the plant’s roots, as needed, although the reservoir can show dirt after some time, it can be cleaned out periodically to keep that sparkling look. Emptying and refilling the water and cleaning out the reservoir can help keep your plants happy, which is always important. We love its minimalist, modern design that’s not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing. Made of authentic, food-safe ceramic and terra cotta, this tray’s material alone keeps the soil moist. It also naturally retains heat, so it creates the ideal environment to help your seedlings grow. Once planted, your herbs will be self-sufficient. Just water it and the planter will slowly water your plant for two weeks. A viewing window into the planter’s water reservoir at the bottom will let you easily see when it’s time to water again.

Indoor planters usually have a drainage hole, though some planters have more than one and others have none. Ideally, you should look for a planter with at least one drainage hole. Some include a plug that you can either leave in place or remove, depending on your watering routine. Since poor drainage is a common reason houseplants die, this is not a feature to be overlooked.

Indoor Herb Garden in Wooden Frame

The frost-free resin accounts for a higher price point, but this quality material should hold up for the long haul, so we think it’s still a great value. You should look forward to years of growing in this planter without having to worry about warping, fading, or other damage. It is styled to resemble copper but at a fraction of the cost and with the convenient addition of the self-watering feature. Most of the options on the market are plastic or ceramic, which tend to hold moisture longer. Ceramic pots are typically glazed with a coat of lacquer that prevents the soil from drying out at the same speed as it would in an unglazed clay or terra cotta planter. There’s also a bottom plate to collect excess water and keep the floor clean. However, for indoor use, you might want to add something a little bigger—after all, this one plate is collecting the excess water from 15 plants. This self-watering planter features a foolproof way to give your plants exactly what they need, when they need it. Just use a gardening hose or watering can to fill the reservoir with water. The roots will soak up water from the bottom, and the gauge at the top indicates the plant’s level of hydration. Three raindrop images will turn blue when the reservoir located at the bottom of the planter is full. The blue color fades away as the reservoir depletes of water, indicating when it’s time to add more. This planter also comes with a 10-year warranty.

The Lechuza Cube Cottage 50 Self-Watering Garden Planter is the best outdoor self-watering planter. The cube-shaped planter has a built-in water level indicator that lets you know exactly when it’s time to water it. There’s also a removable drainage plug on the bottom, which is important for outdoor planters so that excess water can drain after a heavy rain. Contemporary and chic, the Glowpear Self-Watering Urban Garden Planter is the right size to grow a handful of plants while fitting on a small outdoor patio. With this planter, you can grow vegetables, fruit, herbs, plants, flowers, and even take indoor plants outdoors since it comes with a clip-on drip tray. As far as shape, the shape doesn’t have an effect on the plant’s health or growth—it’s purely aesthetic. The water reservoir takes up half the space, so you won’t need to worry about having to use a ton of soil. The water capacity is 128 ounces, which lasts from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your plants. If you have it outside where it can collect rainwater, all you need to do is monitor the drainage holes to see whether you should add water. When you see water running out of the drain, you know the reservoir is full.Material and Durability: Think about where you want your plants to live. Inside or outside? Keep the material’s durability in mind, and where you want to put it, before making your final selection.