The Trendy Self-Watering Plants That Take Care Of Themselves (& Should You Try Them?)
For some plant owners, figuring out whether you're underwatering or overwatering your plants can feel just short of impossible. Some of the symptoms can be the same, like yellow or brown leaves, and it can take time to see if you're making things better or worse. You can neatly side-step this problem using a self-watering planter, allowing plants to gradually soak up as much water as needed. One brand, the Easyplant, has gained popularity for its stylish pots and effortless watering system.
Easyplant's slogan is "Our plants water themselves" — you only have to refill their reservoirs once a month. The company's mission is to make plant ownership as, well, easy as possible so even folks with a black thumb can get in on the action. Easyplant only sells planters as part of a complete package with the plants already potted. That means you don't have to figure out what soil to buy or which pot size to go with. All you have to do is order online, unbox your plants, and fill the water reservoirs.
For some people, this system is a great way to get some greenery indoors with minimal time or effort. It's worth a shot for frequent travelers, houseplant beginners, or anyone who isn't able to spend much time or energy on plant care. However, it has its downsides; it may not be right for those on a budget or who prefer to be more hands-on. Here's what customers say about Easyplant and whether you should buy one.
Easyplant pros and cons
Easyplant's design is similar to other self-watering planters, with a water reservoir on the bottom and a wick that transfers water to the plant roots. The difference, according to shoppers, is that the pots are more stylish, and there's a wider selection than what your typical garden store offers. The prices are also higher; at a minimum of $49 for the smallest plants, you pay a premium for aesthetics and convenience. In general, Easyplant does seem to make life easier for people who struggle to keep indoor plants alive. Most customers say their Easyplants arrived in good condition, safely packaged and easy to unbox, and the plant care directions are easy to understand. In the case of bruises or pests, the Easyplant team is responsive to fixing issues and offers a 90-day guarantee.
Aside from the high prices, the main complaint about Easyplant is that you can't buy the pots separately. An all-in-one system is convenient — until your plant outgrows its pot or the pot breaks. Easyplant says its plants will last in their pots for 12 to 18 months, and at that point, you'll have to switch to a new pot from a different store. On the plus side, you can reuse the empty pots for other plants. The system also isn't entirely foolproof. Some people have had issues with the self-watering components getting dislodged. The reservoir may never dry out or dry out sooner than expected, so it's best to check on it more often than just once a month. Some plants prefer to dry out between waterings, which needs to be taken into account as well.