Crescent Garden Dot TruDrop Self-Watering Planter

I bought the 20" medium pot and was very surprised when I opened the box. It isn't as modern and clean looking as featured in the photos. The worst part is that I really can't return it because it is oversized. The slowest shipping via UPS was $45 and the slowest shipping vis USPS was actually higher at $52. I really feel like Gardeners should do a better job of letting customers know that returning their items will be a financial burden.

Purchased two of the 20 in in black for my front steps. Planted late spring/early summer. As others have said, some quality and consistency issues for me as well. One of my fill gauges doesn't work unless I bang my fist on the side where it is. I will try and fix it when the planter is empty in the winter, but to note that TruDrop does offer replacement items on their website so may do that. However, my other one works fine, so I just tend to gauge my water level for both off that. For someone who has a huge property but is prohibited from permanent irrigation by city bylaws, these are a godsend! Plants are thriving. I would like to see improvement in the quality, and I would love GS to stock the modern, square versions of these as the dots pattern is not my fav (though not noticeable from after.) I'd actually love to see this entire line, I love the gauge aspect of these vs other self-watering brands. Overall, I'd recommend, but if you have the patience, definitely plan to do a test fill with water before using to check everything is in order! And read the directions about unplugging the overflow valve! I think some negative reviews with "leaks" may have missed this - mine emits from the overflow when full as well, but as intended!

I have one 16" and two 26" planters in the bronze color. After less than one season, one of the larger planters started leaking and the reservoir indicator does not work. I have an all day, full sun patio in Zone 8 and the water reservoir helps to keep the containers from baking in the heat. I only water from the top to fertilize. The color is a good contrast for the plants. I recommend with reservations.

I'm very happy with this planter. It will help me grow plants that need more water than my landscaping beds, without needing to water frequently.

Great product.

Wasn't sure this size and shape would work for our new decorative weeping maple we were putting on our roof deck. It is a good size for the young tree while giving it 2-3 years growth. Love the reservoir - can leave and not worry about watering over short periods.

I bought 2 of these pots for my very busy daughter to put on her front porch. She loves them and they seem to be working as hoped. They are very nice looking and they were light enough for her to move where she wanted them. The design with the self watering feature is why I bought them. I would have given 5 stars but the price was just too high for them to be perfect. Also they went on sale after I bought them! Still they are what I wanted to give her and I'm very glad they are working so well for her.

I love these pots! I don't have to constantly water, it's great!

I am gradually changing all of my outdoor pots to this product. They are in amazing self watering product. Mine can go three weeks without watering in 90° plus temperatures. They are especially helpful if you have a second home or in a location where watering could be difficult. There are nope spouts or funnels in the center of your planning space, all the water is between the two walls of the pot. I keep a good water soluble plant food in my water and my plants thrive.

Love this product.

I needed something to keep my plants on my Phoenix patio alive during this hot summer. I bought one container and loved it so much I bought 3 more. They are attractive, efficient, and well worth the cost. I would need to water everyday maybe twice a day normally, but with these, I don't need to check them and add water until the 3rd day. Amazing for this Arizona heat. I would recommend them highly!!

It's great just as a pot but the only reason I bough them was for the "self-watering" aspect. They do not work as described!

The planters are a life-saver. I live in Phoenix and can't be outside several times a day watering my plants. I've ordered 4 of these in different sizes and love them all. I, too, had one delivered with a water indicator that had broken. Gardener's Supply resent a new indicator immediately. It was a non issue. The good one was in within a few days. I've tried out many self-waterers, and these are my favorites so far. I recommend them highly. (My sister is going to order one of the 16".)

Thisis a great planter for our hot summer weather. none to worry about over or under watering.

I purchased 3 large pots. My plants have burned edges even with water full. One leaks and tried to fix multiple times. My experience has been bad with this product. A lot of money for something that does not work well.

These pots are GREAT if you can get them. On 4/10/2018, I ordered 3 pots/1 pot arrived in a plastic sack and it was damaged. They sent another pot (26"), it too arrived in a plastic sack and damaged. By this time it is July. The 3rd attempt to deliver that last pot was a success; it arrived in a box and was not damaged but now it is August and too late to enjoy the summer blooms. I was so frustrated trying to get that 3rd pot & then to return the damaged pots: UPS would not take the pots in the plastic sacks that they were delivered in! For the 2 pots that did arrive: they do work. You can fill them up with water and not worry about them for a week or weeks depending on the weather: my geraniums and petunias looked great all through the summer heat.

I have 4 of these containers. I have a large backyard full of tree roots. This makes it difficult to plant in a couple of spots, so I often use planters to fill in the gaps. I work long hours and it's challenging to keep up with the watering (sometimes twice a day) on the long hot summer days. These tru dot containers have been my saving grace this season. When first planted you do need to water from the top until the roots are established (I did this for about a week). Then except for weekly fertilization and checking on the "3 blue water drops" it was at least 5 weeks before the reservoir needed to be refilled. I did have an issue with my very first one. When I filled the water reservoir the 3 blue water drops started to rise and then the chamber tipped over and out of site. I called customer service and they couldn't have been more helpful. They quickly replaced it. The new one was perfect and my plants did so well that I bought a few more in another size. These are expensive containers however I believe worth it. Quality plants can also be pricey. This is the first season that my flowers didn't die by the middle of the summer because I couldn't keep up with the watering. So no need to replant all new flowers in the middle of August.

I just got the largest planter and like its sturdiness and style. However, given the price, I am disappointed that the water level indicator doesn't appear to work. I watered the soil and then spent about 15 minutes filling the reservoir with my garden hose. The indicator on top that is supposed to tell you when the reservoir is full never changed. So, although it is self-watering, I will have to somehow figure out when I need to refill the self-watering reservoir (which will be difficult because there is no way to "see in" other than with the indicator).

This planter is awesome! I have purchased 3 of the 20" containers and have found that they can go up to 3 weeks without being refilled. We haven't hit the HOT months yet, but I anticipate they work will just as well, with maybe a few days less before filling again. I am just now experimenting with using water soluble fertilizer in them. I would highly recommend them for those who are gone from home for extended periods of time, due to work or vacation. It has allowed me to have potted flowers again and I have intentions of purchasing more. Thank you for such a wonderful product!

Using this as a front porch planter.