Gardening is a pastime activity that can provide you with the relaxation you need from daily stresses, and at the same time give you the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your effort in the form of produce. Despite these benefits, it can be difficult for the modern-day individual who is constantly busy, and moreover has trouble with either overwatering or under-watering the container plants.

Enter the convenient self-watering plant boxes that can make this hobby even more enjoyable and rewarding. Created for the needs of the modern gardener, these boxes contain a water reservoir you get to fill up only when the water level is low. You have the flexibility to do so with a garden hose, drip system, or watering can as one option, manually filling up the reservoir through the fill point, or clipping on a hose directly into the reservoir as the other option if you don’t like the idea of leaving plants exposed to the elements, like a lot of rain. 

The reason these plant boxes are better than your regular containers, other than ridding you of the chore of watering every single day, is because they give plants the chance to take water on their own when they need and as much as they need. This happens through a natural capillary wicking action that plants do on their own via the root system. The lack of stress from irregular watering gives you healthy and thriving plants.

Which Plants Like Self-Watering Pots?

While the self-watering plant boxes are ingenious and can be of help with creating the most beautiful and efficient urban garden in your home, not every plant does well in a self-watering system, as some require more or less water than others. As the boxes are available in a range of sizes, you can create a floor or vertical garden anywhere you see fit, be it the kitchen, the windowsill, or the balcony, counting on the following plants that thrive in a controlled environment with consistent moisture:

Herbs

These are essential ingredients to your meals when it comes to adding a boost in the flavour, variety, as well as colour, besides providing health benefits such as managing or preventing certain diseases (e.g. heart disease, cancer, diabetes). Having a self-water planter gives you the chance to reap all these advantages by providing you the adequate space and conditions for: 

Mint

Whether you like its taste in teas, desserts, or dishes, you can grow it in the convenience of your home knowing the planter keeps it well taken care of, much like chives, cilantro, and marjoram.

Thyme

Although this is a herb that requires slightly different conditions, like more dryness between watering, it can still do well in a smaller self-watering pot given that the moisture is controlled.

Oregano

Another Mediterranean herb that could do well with dryer conditions. Don’t be afraid to give this one a go especially given that it’s essential for so many dishes, like savoury BBQ and pizza. If you plant the wild oregano, you can also make your own oregano oil that’s know to be one of the best homemade antibiotics.

Basil

As the third herb that prefers more dryness, basil can do well in self-watering containers, just keep in mind it prefers more sunlight so it’s necessary to pick the right sunny spot for it to thrive well. 

Parsley

Commonly used as a garnish, it deserves its spot in your home herb garden. It does well in consistent moistening conditions like these planters provide, so it shouldn’t give you trouble.

Vegetables

If you want to live a more sustainable and efficient lifestyle, then having your own vegetable garden is a must, even if it’s in smaller containers at the yard or balcony. Some of the must-have vegetables for your garden include:

Tomatoes

There’s no vegetable self-container garden without these stars. Although technically they’re fruits, they’re considered as vegetables by nutritionists, hence the inclusion here. The reason they do well in this type of container, even the cherry and dwarf varieties, has to do with the fact they require consistent moisture during the early stages to ensure proper growth. 

Peppers

Whether you like them sweet or hot, you can get both in your garden, as they thrive pretty well in the self-watering pots thanks to there no being danger of root rot. 

Leafy Greens

If you’re a fan of lettuce, spinach, or arugula, this is your chance to get your own supply in your own home. The reliable and consistent watering can provide them with the needed moisture to remain tender and not bitter. 

Root Vegetables

From carrots to radishes, you can count on easy growth in a deeper self-watering pot to ensure proper growth of the root. 

Beans

Yes, even climbing vegetables like beans and peas can benefit from this system as long as you support them with a trellis. 

Flowers

For the sake of creating an edible garden, I chose not to talk about houseplants but focused on giving you a few examples of edible flowers you can grow and enrich your recipes with. To make sure you get the proper development and success of your garden as a whole, consider incorporating them in companion planting combos throughout the seasons. 

Nasturtiums

Easy to care for, needing moderate water supply, and plenty of sunshine, they’re best planted in spring. Considering the companion solution, you can pair them with bush tomatoes, eggplants, baby carrots, and butter lettuce. They can do well in summer too combined with cucumbers, lemon grass, mint, and strawberries. Whether you use them in salads, or garnishes, it’s best to pick them when fully open to get that wanted flavour.

Marigolds

Planted in spring or autumn, these flowers do great in containers as they require regular watering. Used fresh or dried, they go well with baby beetroot, red capsicum, and baby fennel in companion gardening as they help deter pests.

Pansies and Violets

Perfect for cooler temperatures, these flowers do well in spring as much as autumn and winter with consistent moisture. You can place them in partial to full sun areas, paired with radishes, broccoli, sugar snap peas, broad beans, and sage among other plants. Use them in petals or full flowers for decorating cakes and salads, or fun cocktails.