Debate: Is a self-watering planter worth the $45 or just a gimmick?

I dropped $45 on a self-watering planter from Home Depot for my cherry tomatoes last spring. It saved me from daily watering during a heat wave in July, but the reservoir got moldy after 3 weeks and I had to scrub it out. Some folks swear by them for balcony growing, but I'm wondering if a $10 pot with a saucer does the same job without the hassle. What's your take on these things - life saver or money pit?

2 comments

2 Comments

paul_lane801mo ago

Sounds like you bought a science experiment, not a planter.

dakota7871mo ago

Man, @paul_lane80, I once bought a "self-watering" pot that just grew moss instead, so I feel your pain.