Self-watering Pots designed for real plant people and real life
(written by someone who owns way too many plants)
If you’ve ever stood in front of your plants wondering,
“Did I water you already… or was that last week?”
you’re in the right place.
I’m Amanda, the plant-obsessed half behind The Curated Jungle, and like it so happens to go, I didn’t start with a plan to collect plants. It just… happened. And once it did, I realized pretty quickly that my plant care needed to be flexible, forgiving, and fit into my already full family life.
That’s why we spent years tweaking and perfecting our planters to be easy as can be, yet still beautiful enough to be worthy of our loving jungle collection.
Plant care doesn't have to be perfect for happy plants. Not with our pots.
🌿 The Curated Jungle family has over 300 personal plants growing in their home and studio!
A Self-Watering System That Won’t Drown Your Plants
There are a lot of “self-watering” pots out there. Some of them work by letting roots sit directly in water, which can feel a little nerve-wracking (and honestly, are one missed watering day away from not ending well).
Our pots are different.
Each Curated Jungle pot is designed with a contained planting area that sits above a deep saucer water reservoir. Water is stored below the plant and delivered gradually through a wick stick or cotton string you feed from the planting medium through the drain hole to the saucer.
What that means for your plant:
- Roots are never sitting in water
- The plant can’t be flooded
- Excess water drains away from the root zone
- If the reservoir fills too much, it overflows safely
Paired with a well-draining soil, this creates a balanced environment that supports healthy roots without constant monitoring.
😍 Good To Know: Our Self-watering pots can be used just like any pot with a saucer.
How To Water
(There’s No Wrong Way)
One of my favorite things about this system is how flexible it is.
You can:
- Water from the top like a traditional pot
- Add water directly to the saucer
- Do a mix of both, depending on the day
If you’re ever unsure whether your plant needs water, adding water to the saucer is a safe option. The plant will take what it needs, when it needs it, without sitting in excess moisture.
No strict schedules.
No guessing games.
No “oops, I already watered this” moments.
🌿 Self Watering Pots = Happy Plants
The Wick System (Simple, I Promise)
The wick connects the planting area to the water in the reservoir..
When planting, feed one of our Plant Wick Sticks, or a cotton string, through the drain hole to the planting medium and let the bottom sit in the saucer.
Instead of forcing water into the soil all at once, the wick allows moisture to move upward gradually as the plant needs it. This helps prevent the cycle of overwatering, drying out, and overcorrecting (we’ve all been there).
Let’s Talk About Soil (Without Making It Complicated)
Our self-watering pots work best with well-draining growing media. The more freely your soil drains, the more control you’ll have over moisture.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Very fast-draining mixes (like pon) will need the reservoir checked more often so it doesn't stay empty more than a day or two
(these soil mixes completely dry out easily and your plants DO NOT want that) - Slightly more retentive mixes (our fave is pon with a little tree fern) allow for longer gaps between refills
- Most well draining and chunky soils / plant medium can work beautifully with our self watering planters
The pots themselves are designed to adapt to different routines and plant parent styles. You don’t need to do the things “perfectly” for this system to work.
Our self-watering pots are designed to:
• Support healthy roots
• Reduce guesswork
• Prevent overwatering
• Make plant care feel easier
All without sacrificing the look and feel of a piece you actually want in your home.
Forgiving by design.
Elevated on purpose.
🌱 Pot Your Questions Here
Do I have to water a certain way?
Not at all.
You can water from the top, add water directly to the saucer, or do a mix of both. If you’re ever unsure whether your plant needs water, adding water to the saucer is an easy, low-risk option.
The system is designed to work with you, not require a specific routine.
How often do I need to refill the reservoir?
While that depends on the plant, the soil, and your environment.. a good go-to is to check the reservoir once a week and adjust to plant and seasonal needs.
Very fast-draining media may require more frequent refills, while slightly more retentive mixes allow for longer gaps between watering.
The system is flexible and adapts to different care styles.
Can I let the reservoir dry out?
Yes. Letting the reservoir dry out occasionally won’t harm the system.
Some soils and plants prefer short dry periods, while others do better with more consistent moisture. This setup gives you room to adjust without stress.
Are these planters suitable for outdoor use?
Yes! Our self-watering pots are perfect for indoor or outdoor use.
Because the planting area is separate from the reservoir, rain or heavy watering won’t flood the roots. Excess water drains away as intended.
Is this a “set-it-and-forget-it” system?
No — and that’s a good thing.
Our self watering pots are designed to reduce guesswork and prevent extremes, but plants still benefit from regular observation and care. these planters support real life, not neglect.
What types of plants work best in these planters?
Many houseplants and outdoor plants do well in this system when paired with the right soil.
Individual plant needs still matter, but the system is intentionally adaptable and works well for growing collections with mixed care habits.
We have everything from cactus, tropicals and Hoyas in our self watering planters. All have slightly different watering and soil needs (ex.cactus need to dry out longer between watering and have sandy extra well-draining soil, while tropicals like a well-draining mix and consistent moisture in the reservior).
Amanda - The Curated Jungle
A plant and pottery obsessed momma.