Seven self-watering pots we tested over a hot summer

A hidden reservoir wicks moisture up to the roots, so thirsty plants stay happy for up to two weeks. We ran seven through a run of 35°C days.

How they work

Water sits in a base reservoir; a wick or soil column draws it up as the plant needs it. You top up the reservoir, not the soil, which keeps leaves dry and roots evenly moist.

The one we’d buy

The terracotta self-watering pot kept our basil and ferns going through a heatwave without a single wilt. It’s the pot we now recommend first.