My Secret for Keeping Thirsty Plants Watered Is On Sale for Under $10 Right Now

These garden accessories keep my plants well-watered, even when I'm away for the weekend.
Back to the Roots Olla Pots buried with potted hydrangea and tomato plant
Photo: Kathleen Corlett

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My green thumb is a work in progress, and one of the biggest personal challenges is the watering. I’ve read all of the dos and don’ts for watering plants, and I try to incorporate as many tips into my process—when I remember to do it in the first place. This season, one product made all of the difference for my garden: an olla pot. On an average day, it’s a reasonably priced garden accessory. And right now, the Back to the Roots Olla Pot is just over $8 for Amazon Prime members—a no-brainer.

Best Price Ever

Back to the Roots Olla Pot

Back to the Roots Self-Watering Olla Pot

The classic design of this garden accessory has kept plants alive for more than 4,000 years in drier climates than my own backyard in New York. Once buried in the soil and filled with water, the porous terracotta surface will slowly release water to the roots of your thirsty plants. Each Back to the Roots pot holds 700 mL, which can support up to two large plants within an 18-inch diameter of the water source. Just refill every couple of days, and recork to prevent evaporation. A full olla pot should hold you over if you forget to water daily, or plan to take a weekend away this summer.

And these aren’t just for garden beds. I’ve buried mine in two containers, one pot with a drainage hole and another made of a breathable fabric. They may be the only reason that my hydrangeas and tomato plants are thriving, so I give this product two green thumbs up.

More Under-$25 Prime Day Deals for Easier Gardening

 
Young couple (heads not seen) use trowels to dig into a small raised garden bed on Astroturf, surrounded by gardening accessories.

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We’ll help you set up your first garden—whether that’s a few pots on your patio, a raised bed, or an in-ground plot out back—and select the right plants for your soil and region.

 
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Kathleen Corlett

Editor in Chief

As the editor-in-chief at BobVila.com, Kathleen Corlett is as passionate about crafting quality how-to guides for household projects as she is cleaning, organizing, and building DIY solutions for her own home in New York. She has worked on the Bob Vila team for 10 years; before that, Kathleen previously contributed to Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, and Cleveland magazines.


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