Misco 1354/3-072 Flare Self Watering Planter, 13.8-Inch, Latte

This planter is even prettier in real life. Works like a charm and doesn't need gravel or anything else - just put soil and plant into the planter and you are set.The Features I LOVE:The filling well is large enough so that you can actually see what the water level is without having to stick your finger in (I hate that I have to do that with my other pots), and it really does hold enough water to last about two weeks.The looks of the planter is very pleasing to the eye. It looks much heavier than it actually is and unless you touch it, you would think that it is made of terracotta or some stone material.The color is also very neutral and will 'sit pretty' in almost any environment.The size is substantial. Deep enough for good root growth, wide enough to accommodate a fairly large plant, yet still small enough to fit into an average size room without being obtrusive.I love the fact that even filled with soil and plant this planter does not get so heavy that I can't move it at will or whim. As a senior, I have to be mindful of what I lift - especially from floor level - this pot is well with-in my ability thanks to it's light weight yet very sturdy construction.Overall, I couldn't be happier with this planter and from the looks of things either could my plant! I highly recommend this planter on all fronts!

anyone who takes a look and ignorantly claims they induce root rot has just simply not tried them. I have used these for years for both perennials and annuals both indoor and out. I agree with the posters who say the old pots without the lips were much better. So, the new 13.8 inch is equivalent to the old 12 inch.the dimensions for the 13.8 are about 14 for the lip, 12 inch usable and 8 inch for the base. 11.5 from base to lip high and about 9.5 from base to usable high.The self watering aspect doesn't kick in until the plant and roots are established. I have tested during the winter indoors and kept the water well filled constantly and the top soil is completely dry even after months (and that is good absorbent soil.) So to start with seeds, you need to spray until the plants can survive top watering. But once the plant is established, it's as easy as pie. Stick your finger in the hole. If there is water, do nothing, If it is dry fill up the hole with water. I have kept plants alive and thriving for years this waythese pots are about worthless if you don't have the proper watering can. I found mine at Walmart, but they are only available there early in the spring. Finally, I found them (not that I need one, but to tell others) on the web. Made by novelty mfg. Do a google search on "half gallon watering cans" and you will find them for about 6 bucks.It was hard to replace my old beautiful terra cottas, but these survive the winters outdoors without cracking, and are light enough to bring indoors for the winter. And all I do is stick my finger in the hole and add water when dry.Root rot? You just haven't tried or used them.

I'm using three of these to grow tiny baby citrus trees for their first year. These pots will soon be too small for the citrus trees which are currently about 18" tall and they'll soon be repurposed for other plants but they've done very well so far.I picked these pots specifically because it looked like they had a larger water reservoir than a traditional pot-saucer combination but the looks are deceiving and the water reservoir is very small, certainly no larger than a saucer. Additionally the fill lip is rather small and very difficult to pour into. My original plan was to upgrade to the larger sizes of the same pots as the trees grew but I'm just as likely to buy traditional pot-saucer combinations instead now that I've tried these. Not better, not worse.*Update 1 year later*I am reducing the rating from 5 to 3 stars. These pots have some design issues that make them an inferior choice when compared to a simple pot-saucer combination. Firstly the reservoir is very small and difficult to use as its fill lip is recessed under the flare of the pot itself. This means it can only be bottom-watered by tilting the whole pot and plant back at which point the water will run out the lower side as the permanently-attached saucer still has a sill/seam. Additionally when I removed my citrus trees two additional issues were apparent. Firstly the soil had run down into the already tiny reservoir and filled it so that little or no water was being stored. Second the roots had followed the soil down through the plastic grating at the bottom and formed a mat under the pot in the saucer area. This further reduced the water storage capacity and made the transplant MUCH more traumatic and difficult for the plant than it needed to be. I would NOT buy these again and would not recommend them. I'm debating using them for decorative flowers or just tossing them out.

These are fantastic self-watering planters. The main reason I got this was because I have some carnivorous plants that require constant water. Sometimes, life gets a little busy and you forget to water them. That's when this planter becomes convenient.— TO USE —There are two parts to this planter, the main upper section, and a smaller semi-blocked off section at the bottom. This semi-blocked off section is mainly meant for water and not soil. To use this properly, you have to be able to separate the water from the soil, but connect the two with a wick of some sort.For me, I cut a piece of 1/4" thick rope (or twine), and made sure it touched the bottom of the inner pot and stuck out a bit into the main section. Then, to prevent the soil from falling in, I cut a piece of  New York Fiberglass Screening  (optional), along with layering on sphagnum moss and placed them on top of the bottom. These one or two pieces help with the soil separation from water. *Then* I put in the soil and pot my plants.— SUMMARY —It may all seem like a lot of work, but it's really not. Find a wick, cut a circular piece, layer on moss, soil and plants in last. If you buy this, you might as well prep it and use it properly. Now, when you water, any excess will collect at the bottom, and the wick will drive water up from the bottom. Their roots won't be flooded, and it will get the water it needs when they need it. This can be very helpful on short trips away. Recommended. New York Fiberglass Screening

I bought 4 of the 16 inch latte colored planters. Also 2 Earthbox planters. I like the Misco planters for flowers and the Earthboxes for vegetables. I didn't give this 5 stars because there wasn't any directions. You don't just put in dirt, flowers and water. By watching Youtube videos on the Earthboxes I learned you want to create a wicking effect. With the last 2 Misco's I did it a little different than the first 2. I added a small of water, then a small layer of my potting mix. After adding each layer of potting mix I added a small amount of water. The Earthboxes provide covers which help keep in moisture and pests out. Rather than a filmsy plastic bag I'm using a recycled white window shade cut to the size of the planter. In my area in south Texas it's advised to use the white side.It's not self watering. You can add buckets with siphons to sit beside the palnters that will water longer without having to water everyday. My plants being in full sun on a deck with no shade need a lot of water. Sometimes twice a day. Also there's a strong wind. So covers will help to keep the water in.For me it's easier to plant in the Misco planters. I bought some of the smaller sizes at Waltmart in the same latte color. I got a nice wire caddy for 3 dollars at Walmart. The wooden ones for the same size at Walmart were 7 dollars and 12 dollars here.The drawback to country living is not being able to have easy disposal of the large cardboard boxes that the planters arrived in from Amazon. The largest size planter at Walmart was 13 inches. I really love these planters and will add more next year.