Discover the best outdoor furniture for quality, function & style
By Odinga FanuelAug 20, 2023
With the right garden furniture, you can revamp your outdoor space. To turn your yard or patio into a tranquil, enjoyable area, shop our editor picks.
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The best watering cans for maintaining healthy plants
A watering can is a must-have for hassle-free plant maintenance. Explore our top picks, and you might just find a watering can that suits your everyday needs.
Whether you have a garden or potted plants by the balcony, regular watering is essential to ensure your plants thrive and survive through different seasons. While you can use a variety of containers to feed your plants, a watering can simplifies the process.
When shopping for a watering can, look for options that are durable and has a generous capacity, so you can water several plants in one go. And to have more control over how much water you give at a time, choose a can with a narrow, long spout to better manage the water flow.
To help you shop without any guesswork, we identified the top picks for every gardener or plant owner. Keep scrolling to find the perfect one to help you care for your plant babies.
Read more: Check out the best garden hoses
Check out our picks of the best watering cans
Our favorite overall
Specifications
Weight: 0.56 pounds
Capacity: 1 gallon
Material: Plastic
Pros & Cons
Lightweight design
Rain head for even water distribution
Perfect size for everyday needs
Somewhat poor construction
Reviews say the volume is not quite a gallon
This NERUB Watering Can is our favorite for indoor and garden plants. It features an extra-long spout for convenient watering, while its one-piece construction minimizes the risk of leaks. The watertight head has a good gasket to prevent leaks, and the rain head design ensures even distribution.
The NERUB watering pitcher features a comfortable and balanced handle design for simple use, and the enlarged intake makes refilling the can easier. Its sturdy high-grade plastic construction is designed to serve you for years.
Best indoor watering can for houseplants
Specifications
Weight: 0.53 pounds
Capacity: 0.5 gallons
Material: Plastic
Pros & Cons
Available in different colors
Anti-fall construction prevents damage
Detachable head for two modes
Limited water capacity
Reviews complain about leaks
Indoor plants look great when they’re green and flourishing. With this Dr.Uang Watering Can, you can ensure your plants stay fresh and lush throughout the year. This 1.8-litre can features a detachable spray head design, which you can switch to a water column for irrigation, while its long spout lets you reach inaccessible areas.
This indoor watering can is made of plastic with thick walls for durability, and it’s made with anti-fall and compression technology to prevent breaking and aging. Apart from using it to water your plants, you can also use it during your kid’s baths.
Top option for hanging plants
Specifications
Weight: 0.99 lb
Capacity: Not specified
Material: Stainless steel
Pros & Cons
Copper finish to complement your garden
Comes as a pair
Heavy duty construction
Limited capacity
Likely to discolor
If you have hanging plants, the Better Homes & Gardens Metal Watering Can lets you water your plants in style. It has a classic watering can design for a unique copper look, while the easy-to-grip handle ensures comfortable watering.
The stainless steel construction ensures long-lasting use, while the powder-coated finish prevents rust. This watering pot is ideal for both outdoor and indoor use, and you can even use it to store a nutrient mixture for your plants.
Best mini-sized model
Specifications
Weight: 0.44 pounds
Capacity: 0.27 gallons
Material: Resin
Pros & Cons
Features measurement markings
Small size for convenient use
Modern translucent design
Limited capacity if you have several plants
It’s likely to leak
If you’re looking for a small watering can, this Expert Gardener Watering Can is the ideal pick at just 0.27 gallons. It’s the best water can for indoor plants, thanks to its long metal spout that allows you to get closer to plants.
The translucent gray design makes a stylish and functional addition to your garden supplies, and it has measurement markings so you can know the amount of water you’re using to water the plants.
Best-rated watering can
Specifications
Weight: Not specified
Capacity: 1 gallon
Material: Galvanized steel
Pros & Cons
Beautiful classic watering can
Features a removable spout
Holds enough water
Reviews complain about rusting
Expensive option
With a 4.7-star average rating, this Best Choice 1 Gallon Watering Can seems to be a favorite pick for many users. The can features top and side handles for convenient handling and carrying, and its rustic style with deep green and copper accents gives your gardening experience a vintage touch.
The can has a lightweight construction with a 1-gallon capacity to water several plants before a refill. Its diffusing spout gives your plants a gentle shower, and you can remove the spout for a direct stream.
Top budget option
Specifications
Weight: Not specified
Capacity: 2 gallons
Material: Plastic
Pros & Cons
Great water capacity
Ergonomic design
Adjustable spout
Reviews complain about leaks
Average quality
You can’t be wrong with this 2 Gal. Standard Watering Can if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option. The large capacity makes it the best watering can for outdoor plants, while its large opening makes refilling easy.
It has an ergonomic handle that stretches from the top to the side for effortless pouring, and a long, drip-resistant spout features a rosette for a heavy stream or gentle spray.
What to know before buying
When shopping for a watering can, there are a few things to consider. Here, we answer some frequently asked questions.
What size watering can should I get?
As a rule of thumb, the ideal can size should match the size of your plants and it also depends on the number of plants you have. Most cans are in the range of 0.5 to 3 gallons. A higher capacity allows you to water a lot of plants with one fill.
For most users, a 0.5 to 1-gallon can is adequate for indoor or outdoor plans. If you have fewer plants, opt for a lower capacity can. For example, a 0.5-gallon can will be perfect for watering about seven plants.
How often should I water my plants?
Plant or garden maintenance requires regular watering to ensure success. While watering frequency depends on several factors like season and type of plant, it’s important to be consistent to keep your plants looking green.
For example, for outdoor plants, it’s recommended to water them once a day and for indoor plants, every two to three days. You’ll need to water them more in the summer. Avoid overwatering your plants as they are likely to die due to root rot.
Plastic vs. metal: Which is better?
Metal and plastic materials are the typical options for watering cans. Your pick between the two depends on durability and affordability. If you want a durable option, a metal watering can make a great option. In this case, we recommend buying a galvanized metal can.
Plastic cans, on the other hand, are more affordable than their metal counterparts. They’re also lightweight and easy to carry. However, some plastics can contaminate your water, and this can be a bummer if you’re growing edibles.
Our verdict: Which watering cans are best?
Both indoor and outdoor plants need to be watered regularly to look lush and green all year round. Having a plant watering can at hand offers a convenient way for keeping your plants hydrated. Here are our picks that stand out and will suit your needs:
Better Homes & Gardens 2 Count Metal Watering Can: For hanging plants, these Homes & Gardens watering cans are light to lift and have long spouts to reach plants easily.
Dr.Uang Watering Can: Your indoor plants will be easier to maintain with this colorful Dr.Uang Watering Can. It offers a capacity of 0.5 gallons to water between three to seven plants.
Expert Gardener 34 Ounce Gray Resin Watering Can: Mini-sized cans look great for indoor use, and this Expert Gardener watering can makes the perfect pick. It’s simple, functional and fashionable for indoor watering,
Hopefully, these options will help you find the best watering can to keep your plants nourished and hydrated.
Prices updated on 08/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Odinga Fanuel
With over nine years working within media, Odinga Fanuel is passionate about sharing reliable information with everyday readers. For Smart Shopper, Odinga specializes in writing about tech products, household appliances, travel, automotive and more.
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