The Affordable Solution To Keeping Your Potted Plants Hydrated Is Hiding At Walmart

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Keeping a collection of houseplants alive means juggling location and light exposure and being on the lookout for pests and diseases. In the middle of all this, you've got to make sure that your green buddies are getting enough water, but not too much, as one of the biggest mistakes you could make with your container garden is overwatering. But, if keeping your plants happy is adding to your stress, Walmart has a solution that can take the guesswork out of watering: a Mainstays Aquaterra Self Watering Planter. This nifty planter is a game-changer that comes in under $5. 

The self-watering pots are simply designed, but highly effective at keeping soil a consistent level of dampness. The inner pot is made from terracotta and fits into a plastic outer layer. The plastic pot has an attractive rippled texture and is big enough to leave a space that acts as a water reservoir for the inner pot. The terracotta inner is porous and absorbs the water, transferring it into the soil at a steady rate, ensuring the soil is kept evenly moist at all times. As the outer pot is plastic, you can easily see when the water level is low, which takes the guesswork out of watering. Plastic is also a light material that is more budget-friendly than using glass for the outer pot. 

This self-watering planter is best suited to plants that need constantly moist soil. However, it's not recommended for houseplants that you barely need to water.

If you can't get your hands on the Walmart self-watering planters, or you'd like something more suited to the planters you already have, making your own is pretty straight-forward. Essentially, you'll need two pots. One must fit into the other, leaving a bit of space between the two for the water reservoir. The top of the outer pot should be blocked off by the lip of the inner to prevent evaporation. 

The key to making your DIY self-watering planter work is choosing the right materials for both pots. The inner pot needs to be porous enough to allow water seepage. Clay-based pots, particularly terracotta, are ideal, though check that the pot you intend to use is unglazed both inside and out as glazing seals the surface and prevents moisture transfer.

The outside pot of your self-watering setup needs to be non-porous to hold the water over a long period of time, allowing the inner pot to absorb and distribute water to the soil at a constant rate. Plastic is an option, though not many plastic containers are good-looking. A sealed ceramic pot, such as the Ninehaoou Vintage Planter Large Ceramic Plant Pot, will work well as it is sealed on the inside. You can also opt for fiberglass planters, though you may be wondering what fiberglass planters are and whether they are the best choice. Fiberglass is lightweight, durable, and is watertight to prevent seepage from the inside pot leaking out.