Footed Self-Watering Planter 25cm

Most self-watering pots look like equipment. This one is shaped like an oversized wine glass, with the bowl lifted clear of the surface on a short stem and a wide foot, so the plant sits at eye level on a side table instead of squatting on the floor. In plain white it reads as a piece of sculpture first and a planting system second, which is the right way round for something that lives in a sitting room.

Underneath the soil chamber sits a reservoir that feeds water up to the roots as the compost dries, which evens out the cycle of drought and flood that kills more houseplants than neglect ever does. A gauge on the outside shows how much water is left, so there is no guesswork and no lifting the plant out to check. Topping up every couple of weeks is usually enough, depending on the plant and the room.

The pot measures twenty-five centimetres across and thirty-six centimetres tall, which suits a medium houseplant with room to grow: a peace lily, a rubber plant, a decent fern. It is moulded from a lightweight, hard-wearing plastic, so it can be moved without help and used outdoors on a sheltered terrace in summer. Rinse the reservoir out when you repot, and empty it fully before any risk of frost.

• Material: moulded plastic, matt white finish
• Dimensions: 25cm diameter x 36cm high
• Self-watering reservoir with external water level indicator
• Suits medium houseplants; lightweight enough to move easily
• Suitable for sheltered outdoor use in summer - empty before frost
• Care: rinse the reservoir when repotting