Okay, so I’ve been wanting to add some serious greenery to my balcony, but I’m notoriously bad at remembering to water plants. Plus, regular hanging planters dry out so fast, especially in the summer heat. So, I decided to go big or go home and try these extra-large self-watering hanging planters.
Getting Started
First, I found these massive planters online. They’re way bigger than I initially thought, which is great! The ones I got are plastic, which I like because they’re not super heavy. And it is white color, I like it.
The Setup
The planters have this inner basket thing that holds the soil and plants, and then a larger outer reservoir for the water. I filled the bottom reservoir with water first. There’s a little indicator that pops up to show you when it’s full, which is helpful because I tend to overdo things.
Next, I added my potting mix to the inner basket. I used a good quality mix that’s supposed to help with drainage. Then came the fun part – planting!
Planting!
- I picked out a mix of trailing petunias and some vibrant calibrachoa. I love how they spill over the edges of the planter.
- I gently loosened the roots of the plants from their nursery pots and arranged them in the inner basket. I made sure to leave some space for them to grow.
- Then, I carefully placed the inner basket into the outer reservoir. You kind of have to wiggle it in a bit to make sure it’s seated properly.
Hanging and Admiring
My husband helped me hang these beasts. They’re pretty heavy when they’re full of water and soil, so definitely a two-person job if you’re vertically challenged like me. We used some heavy-duty hooks that we screwed into the balcony railing. The result, at last!
The Results (So Far!)
It’s been a few weeks now, and I’m seriously impressed. My plants are thriving! They look so lush and full, and I haven’t had to water them once (except for filling up that reservoir). The water indicator is a lifesaver – I just check it every few days and top it up when it gets low. No more crispy, dried-out plants for this girl!
Honestly, these extra-large self-watering planters are a game-changer. They’ve allowed me to have the hanging garden of my dreams without the constant worry of underwatering. If you’re like me and struggle with consistent watering, I highly recommend giving these a try!
