Eco-Friendly Self Watering Hanging Planter for Indoor Greens Reviewed

Love the idea of lush, green hanging plants but worried about keeping them watered? You’re not alone! Many of us struggle with the balancing act of watering our indoor gardens. The good news is, there’s a simple and eco-friendly solution. An eco-friendly self watering hanging planter for indoor greens is a game-changer for busy plant parents, providing a consistent moisture supply to keep your indoor greens thriving without the daily guesswork.

The Easiest Way to Keep Your Indoor Hanging Plants Thriving

The quickest way to ensure your indoor hanging plants get the perfect amount of water is by using a self-watering hanging planter. These planters use a reservoir and wicking system to provide a consistent supply of moisture directly to the plant’s roots, preventing both overwatering and underwatering.

What Are Self-Watering Hanging Planters and Why Do You Need One?

If you’re new to the world of indoor gardening, the term “self-watering” might sound like magic. While it’s not quite magic, it’s a brilliant piece of engineering designed to make plant care significantly easier, especially for those of us with a busy lifestyle or a tendency to forget watering day. A self-watering hanging planter is a container designed with a built-in water reservoir that supplies moisture to your plants as they need it.

At Gardening Tips with Emilie Sprout, we’ve seen these planters transform the confidence of beginner gardeners. They take the biggest variable—watering—and make it nearly foolproof, setting you up for success and a beautiful display of indoor greenery.

How do self-watering hanging planters work?

The secret behind these clever pots lies in a simple, yet effective, mechanism. Most self-watering planters consist of four main components: a growing bed for the plant and soil, a water reservoir at the bottom, a barrier to separate the two, and a wicking system.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. The Water Reservoir: This is a chamber at the bottom of the planter that you fill with water. It acts as a personal water tank for your plant.
2. The Wicking System: A wick, often made of cotton rope or a porous material, connects the water in the reservoir to the soil in the growing bed.
3. Capillary Action: This is the scientific principle that makes it all happen. The soil and the plant’s roots draw water up from the reservoir through the wick as needed, much like a sponge soaks up a spill. This process, also known as osmosis, ensures the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.

This system allows the plant to regulate its own water intake. It “sips” water when it’s thirsty, preventing the common problems of both overwatering and underwatering that plague many new plant parents.

What are the Benefits of self-watering hanging planters?

The advantages of switching to a self-watering system are numerous, making them a fantastic investment for anyone looking to cultivate an indoor garden with less stress.

• Prevents Over and Underwatering: This is the number one benefit. The system provides a consistent level of moisture, which is crucial for healthy plant growth. No more soggy roots or crispy, brown leaves.
• Saves Time and Reduces Worry: Forget daily watering chores. Depending on the planter size, plant type, and environment, you may only need to refill the reservoir every one to two weeks, or even longer. This is perfect for busy individuals or for keeping your plants happy while you’re on vacation.
• Promotes Healthier Root Growth: The consistent moisture encourages roots to grow deeper and stronger as they reach for the water source. This leads to a more robust and resilient plant overall.
• Conserves Water: These planters are highly efficient. Water is delivered directly to the roots, minimizing waste from runoff and reducing evaporation from the soil surface.
• Retains Nutrients: In traditional planters, essential nutrients are often washed out of the soil with excess water during drainage. Self-watering systems keep the water and dissolved nutrients contained within the pot, making them available to the plant for longer.

Why are they an Eco-friendly self-watering planters option?

In a world where sustainability is more important than ever, choosing an eco-friendly self-watering planter is a small but impactful step. Many modern planters are now made from sustainable and recycled materials, reducing their environmental footprint.

Look for planters made from:

• Recycled Plastics: Many brands create durable, stylish planters from post-consumer recycled plastics, diverting waste from landfills.
• Natural Fibers: Materials like coconut coir or bamboo offer biodegradable and renewable alternatives to traditional plastic.
• Stone and Clay: Natural materials like terracotta are inherently eco-friendly and biodegradable. They are porous, which helps with aeration and prevents root rot.

Beyond the materials, the very function of these planters is eco-conscious. By preventing overwatering and reducing evaporation, they are an excellent tool for water conservation, which is beneficial for both the planet and your utility bill.

What You’ll Need for Your Indoor Oasis

Getting started with your self-watering hanging garden is simple. Here are the essential items to gather:

• A stylish self-watering hanging planter: Choose a size and style that fits your space and your plant’s needs. We’ll review some great options below!
• High-quality potting mix: Use a light, fluffy potting mix designed for containers. This ensures good aeration and allows the wicking system to work effectively.
• Your favorite low-maintenance hanging plants: Pick plants that are well-suited to this type of planter (more on this later!).
• A sturdy hook for hanging: Ensure your ceiling or wall can support the weight of the planter, plant, soil, and water.

Our Top Picks: Eco-Friendly Self Watering Hanging Planter for Indoor Greens Reviewed

Navigating the world of planters can be overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve selected a few of our favorite types of eco-friendly self-watering hanging planters, perfect for different needs and styles.

Best for Beginners: The Minimalist Marvel

For those just starting their indoor gardening journey, we recommend a simple, no-fuss plastic planter made from recycled materials. These are often the most affordable and user-friendly. Look for a design with a clear water level indicator, which takes all the guesswork out of refilling the reservoir. A clean, minimalist design in white, grey, or black will complement any decor, allowing your beautiful indoor greenery to be the star of the show. Many of these are available as 12 inch self watering hanging planters, a versatile size for many popular houseplants.

Best for Large Plants: The Extra-Large and in Charge

If you have dreams of a large, cascading plant making a dramatic statement, you’ll need an extra large self watering hanging planter. Look for options in the 14 inch self watering hanging baskets or even 16 inch self watering hanging baskets range. These larger planters have a substantial water reservoir, meaning less frequent refilling for your bigger, thirstier plants. Durable materials like thick, UV-resistant recycled plastic are a must to support the extra weight and ensure longevity.

Best for a Touch of Style: The Macrame Masterpiece

For a bohemian or natural aesthetic, you can’t go wrong with a stylish self-watering planter paired with a macrame hanger. While the planter itself might be a simple recycled plastic pot, the addition of a macrame plant hanger elevates the look entirely. This combination offers the best of both worlds: the low-maintenance convenience of a self-watering system and the decorative appeal of a trendy plant holder.

Best for the DIY Enthusiast: A Simple DIY Self-Watering Hanging Planter

Feeling crafty? You can create your own diy self watering hanging planters with just a few household items. The most common method involves a recycled plastic bottle.

1. Cut the Bottle: Take a sturdy 2-liter plastic bottle and cut it in half.
2. Create the Wick: Poke a hole in the bottle cap and thread a piece of cotton rope or fabric through it. This will be your wick.
3. Assemble: Invert the top half of the bottle (the part with the cap) and place it inside the bottom half. The bottom half will serve as your water reservoir.
4. Plant: Add potting mix and your plant to the top section, ensuring the wick is embedded in the soil.
5. Water: Fill the reservoir through the gap, and you’ve got a functional, upcycled self-watering planter!

What Plants Thrive in Self-Watering Hanging Planters?

While many plants benefit from the consistent moisture of a self-watering planter, some are particularly well-suited for this system. Here are our top picks for beginners looking for low-maintenance hanging plants.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Often called Devil’s Ivy, Pothos is nearly indestructible and one of the best plants for beginners. Its trailing, heart-shaped leaves look stunning cascading from a hanging planter. It tolerates a wide range of light conditions and isn’t fussy about watering, making it a perfect match for a self-watering system.

Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Known for its air-purifying qualities and striking, upright leaves, the Snake Plant is incredibly low-maintenance. While it’s tolerant of drought, it appreciates the consistent, moderate moisture that a self-watering planter provides, as long as the soil is well-draining.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ Plant is another champion of neglect. Its wide, dark green leaves are beautiful, and it can survive in very low light. It stores water in its rhizomes, so it’s prone to root rot from overwatering. A self-watering planter helps by allowing the plant to take only the water it needs, preventing soggy soil.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

A classic for a reason, the Spider Plant is easy to care for and produces charming “babies” or plantlets that dangle from the mother plant. They look fantastic in hanging baskets and adapt well to the steady water supply of a self-watering pot.

Herbs

Many herbs, especially thirsty ones like basil and mint, can thrive in a hanging self-watering pot for herbs. This is a great space-saving solution for apartment living, allowing you to have fresh herbs on hand in your kitchen.

3 Mistakes to Avoid with Your Self-Watering Hanging Planter

While these planters are incredibly helpful, a few common mistakes can undermine their effectiveness. Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Overfilling the reservoir

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for filling the reservoir. Some planters have an overflow mechanism to prevent this, but many don’t. Overfilling can lead to the entire soil chamber becoming saturated, defeating the purpose of the wicking system and potentially causing root rot.

2. Using the wrong potting mix

Heavy garden soil or dense potting mix will become compacted and waterlogged. It’s essential to use a light, airy, well-draining potting mix specifically for containers. This allows for proper aeration and lets the capillary action work correctly.

3. Not cleaning the planter between plants

Over time, mineral salts from water and fertilizers can build up in the reservoir and wicking system. It’s a good practice to thoroughly clean the entire planter with soap and water whenever you’re repotting or changing out a plant. This prevents any potential buildup from harming your new plant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often do you have to fill a self watering hanging planter?

This depends on several factors: the size of the water reservoir, the type and size of the plant, and the ambient temperature and humidity. Generally, you can expect to refill it every 1 to 4 weeks. It’s best to check the water level indicator or peek into the reservoir weekly until you get a feel for your specific plant’s needs.

Can you use self-watering hanging planters outdoor?

Yes, many self-watering hanging planter outdoor models are designed for this purpose. When using them outdoors, it’s crucial to choose a model with an overflow drain. This allows excess rainwater to escape, preventing the planter from becoming a waterlogged swamp that could lead to root rot.

Do self-watering planters cause root rot?

When used correctly, self-watering planters actually help prevent root rot. Root rot is caused by roots sitting in stagnant, waterlogged soil without access to oxygen. A properly functioning self-watering planter keeps the soil consistently moist but not saturated. However, root rot can occur if you use the wrong dense soil, overfill the reservoir, or choose a plant (like a succulent) that prefers its soil to dry out completely between waterings.

With the right self watering hanging planter for indoor greens, you can enjoy the beauty of an indoor jungle without the stress of a demanding watering schedule. These eco-friendly planters conserve water, promote healthy plant growth, and make it easier than ever to create your own thriving indoor oasis. They are a perfect solution for busy people, beginners, and anyone looking to add a touch of green to their apartment living space.

What are your favorite plants to grow in hanging planters? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more tips on creating a thriving indoor garden, check out our complete guide to indoor plant care.