Roman Self Watering Trough Planter

The Roman trough is a 600mm polypropylene planter with a built in self watering reservoir, sold in charcoal, grey and terracotta. It holds 14 to 16 litres of mix in a long narrow profile that fits a railing, a sill or a courtyard wall. The reservoir is the reason to choose it: you top the base up rather than watering the surface every day.

Why you'll love it

• The reservoir does the watering. A water store under the soil releases moisture as plants draw on it, evening out the dry spells that finish off shallow rooted herbs.
• Long and narrow by design. At 600mm end to end and 203mm across, it fits where a round pot cannot.
• Light to move. Polypropylene keeps the empty weight low, so you can shift a planted trough without help.
• Three colourways. Charcoal, grey and terracotta at the same size, so you can run a matched line.

Sizes and what fits in them

One size, three finishes. The measurements are the whole planter, not the soil space.

• 600mm long, 203mm wide, 178mm high. Roughly 14 to 16 litres of mix once filled.
• Herbs. Five or six seedlings in a row, or four established plants.
• Leafy greens. A cut and come again row of lettuce, rocket or spinach.
• Flowers and compact foliage. Three to five annuals, or a low run of foliage along a balcony edge.

Material, weathering and drainage

Material. Polypropylene in a moulded Roman profile. It wipes clean with a damp cloth, and it does not stain the way unsealed clay does.

Outdoors. Rated for both indoor and outdoor use, so a balcony, patio or kitchen sill all suit it. It is not sold with a frost rating, so in cold districts drain the reservoir before winter.

Drainage. This is a self watering planter, not a free draining one. There are no conventional drainage holes: the integrated system holds water at the base and the mix draws it up. Refill as needed and let the system regulate from there. Rain fills it too, so some overhead cover gives you more control in a wet spell.

What to expect when it arrives

The 600mm trough ships empty and unplanted, boxed for transport, with the reservoir dry. Water from the top for the first fortnight while roots find their way down, then switch to topping up the reservoir. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95.

Related pots and planting

• See the full trough planter range
• Other self watering pots
• Herbs and edibles to plant in it
• How to get watering right