No More Wilted Plants: The Hands-Free Solution To Keeping Hanging Baskets Watered

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Growing plants in pots and hanging baskets is a popular way to bring greenery and color into your home. If you've ever had one of these plants wilt, it may have been because it got too dry. As you've likely discovered, containers lose moisture quickly, and you might even have to water them twice a day during a heat wave. If remembering this task is a problem, consider a more hands-free solution that keeps the soil in your hanging baskets moist: the SQKH self-watering hanging planters. These baskets use a built-in reservoir and a simple rope wick to steadily move water into the soil, helping keep plants hydrated between waterings.

These hanging planters are perfect for busy plant lovers who don't want to water their pots every day. Each 12-inch basket has a water reservoir in the base that you fill through a small spout or saucer on the side. Once water spills out, you'll know the reservoir is full, and you won't need to add water again until it's getting low, making it fairly hands-free. The planter section that holds the soil and the plant's roots sits above this reservoir, and a short piece of rope or wick lets water move upward into the soil through capillary action. This means the water uses adhesive forces to completely wet the wick even though it moves against gravity, much like the experiments you may have tried in a science classroom with colored water and a piece of paper towel.

The most crucial self-watering tools that will keep your plants hydrated and make these planters work so well are the wicks. Positioned correctly, they ensure the roots always have enough moisture to absorb without sitting in water. Because these are made from cotton, they will degrade over time, though. Keep an eye on this and replace them when needed. Always choose one made from natural materials like cotton, sisal, or jute. Avoid coated poly rope, as this won't absorb the water effectively. In a pinch, even shoelaces or knitting yarn will work, whether it's wool, cotton, or acrylic.

These self-watering planters are perfect for many houseplants, like philodendrons, pothos, ferns, anthuriums, and other tropical species. You could also use the baskets to grow colorful flowers outdoors like violas and petunias. Because the pots are quite large, you could use one for a mini herb garden and fill it with parsley, mint, chives, oregano, and thyme. In most cases, though, avoid growing succulents and cacti in these planters because these plants need the soil to dry out between waterings. Make sure you attach the base securely, because a few customers have said it can fall off if bumped. This could be a problem if you're hanging your plants indoors. You may also want to ensure your pots hang securely by using a large macrame hanger.

Although the system is designed to reduce daily watering, it's not completely maintenance-free. Check the reservoir before leaving home for an extended period, and watch the plants for signs of stress.