Fill the base, set it on the shelf, and let the wick take it from there.
The Backyard Expressions self-watering set pairs three planters — small, medium and large, 8, 10 and 12 inches across — each with a reservoir in the base and a cotton wick that draws water up into the soil as it dries. A clear window shows how much water is left, a spout on the side lets you top it up without moving the plant, and the inner pot lifts out, with drainage holes that send extra water down into the reservoir rather than around the roots. One fill lasts up to a week, depending on the plant and the light.
The matte upper pot and speckled terracotta base are finished to look deliberate on a desk, an office credenza, a windowsill or a living room shelf, and the durable plastic will not chip or crack the way ceramic does while staying light enough to move a planted pot with one hand. They suit pothos, snake plant, succulents, spider plant, peace lily, philodendron, African violet, orchids, herbs and most common houseplants. To use them, fill the reservoir through the side spout and refill when the indicator reads empty, typically about once a week, though thirsty plants, brighter light and warmer rooms will shorten that. For newly potted plants, water from the top for the first two to three weeks until the roots reach the wick.
The set includes three planters in small, medium and large, enough to cover most of a collection or to move a plant up a size as it grows. Each one has a lift-out inner pot with drainage holes and a perforated, aerated base, so excess water drops into the reservoir instead of sitting around the roots. A clear water level indicator window on the outside of the base shows how much is left at a glance, and a side fill spout lets you top it up without lifting the plant, carrying it to the sink or disturbing the soil. Because the reservoir is built in, there are no separate saucers to knock over and no rings of water left on a shelf or desk.