16 best watering cans that will last a lifetime

When you need to water your plants, “you can’t beat a trusty watering can”, says Garden Answers contributor, Geoff Hodges. They are essential for areas of your outdoor space that you can’t reach with a hosepipe – and for when there’s a hosepipe ban.

This is also true for houseplants as Geoff continues, “Splashing water everywhere can damage furnishing… and can lead to damping off, botrytis (grey mould) and other plant diseases.” At Modern Gardens, we’re quenching plant thirst with the best watering cans for your foliage.

A watering can come in handy when you need to apply liquid feeds to all your prized plants and weedkiller to the ones you want to see the back of. Geoff recommends buying a second watering can specifically for your weedkiller. After all, you don’t want to have any mix-ups. Historically, water cans have been made from galvanised steel, but plastic has taken over – since it's lighter and cheaper to produce. They’re an attractive addition to your home.

We’ve rounded up a wide range of watering cans to cater to every requirement. Firstly, there is material – and we’ve given our thoughts on the best plastic and best metal watering cans for your plants. Next, we’ve got advice from Geoff on the best cans for the outdoors, showcasing our favourite companions for hanging plants, seedlings and for a vegetable patch. We have also featured some of the best indoor watering cans for your easy-to-care-for houseplants and herb garden.

What do I look for in a watering can?

Weight – A lighter can is easier to carry around when you’ve filled it up to the brim.

Balance – This is important as it can affect all aspects of utilising your new can: holding, carrying and pouring. Modern Gardens recommends reading reviews before you buy – or, go into a store. Geoff advises “if it feels awkward when empty, it’ll only feel worse when full".

Handle – A handle should be strong, solid and comfortable. If a handle has been poorly designed, it’s going to be uncomfortable to use for longer lengths of time.

Mouth  - With a wider opening, you can easily fill a can from a water source. However, you’ll notice that a narrow-er opening prevents spilling. So, finding a balance here should help.

Cross Bar – To make your watering can much easier to carry and use, most designs will feature a cross bar (or second handle) at the top, making the experience well-balanced and not front-heavy.

Rose – Believe it or not, a watering can’s sprinkling spout is often referred to as a 'rose'. Cans with a one-piece spout and rose tend to be cheaper and less efficient. Watch out for a quality rose.

Best Watering Cans

Outdoor

Indoor

Geoff notes: "Houseplants require careful watering and there are lots of attractive cans to choose from. Indoor cans tend to be smaller (up to 2 litres) with a narrower spout so you can deliver the water slowly in a controlled way."

Plant Misters

Geoff comments that "many suppliers now produce misters," which have hand-trigger and pump action to give your plant the water it may need. Some of them will come with adjustable nozzles, too.

We like misters because they're generally opaque and you can see how much water you have left. However, algae can build up quickly. These are well-suited to plants that need a humid, water-dense environment.

Need more inspiration? Check out our buyer's guide on plant misters. We've listed a few favourites below.

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FAQS

How do I store my plastic watering cans?

Though cheaper and full of colour, thinner plastic watering cans won’t last forever outside. Geoff explains that, “Cold, frost and high UV levels damage and degrade them”. However, he advises that a good-quality, thick plastic watering can “should last as long as metal ones do”.

To avoid distortion:

• Empty it between uses
• Store it upside down.
• Don’t leave it outside during cold weather – especially with water inside

What is a watering can rose?

Geoff has given us some expert advice on each type of rose.

Metal Roses – These usually come with metal watering cans and are generally made of brass or copper. Whereas, plastic cans are kitted out with roses of plastic, metal or both. Geoff says, “As long as the rose has been constructed and welded correctly, metal roses are less likely to leak.”

Plastic Roses – You’re faced with a few advantages and disadvantages with a plastic rose. Though you can remove the front easily to clean out any clogs in holes, they do often leak or dribble. "The best watering cans have a built-in water filter, which prevents the rose blocking,” adds Geoff.

Removable Roses – Whether screw-in or push, roses need to be easy to remove. However, they shouldn’t be so loose that they can’t take the weight of water when pouring and falling off, “especially when watering seedlings and young plants".

Hole Size – Hole size will differ between roses. Large holes deliver the water faster, so watering gets ticked off the list a little quicker. However, the larger droplets could damage seedlings. Geoff advises using a rose with smaller holes as this will be better suited to young plants.

Downspout – Some watering cans have a downspout, which Geoff says makes watering pots and containers easier because water can be directed at the soil or compost exactly where it’s needed.

Up or Down?  - Oval-shaped roses can be swivelled to face up or down. Facing up, the water comes gentler and finer – “better for seedlings and young plants”. This way, it won’t disturb the compost. On the other hand, facing down, the water is delivered faster and cans with a round rose simply water forwards, with no change in speed or flow.

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Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Modern Gardens Magazine, an all-rounder. When she’s not writing about houseplants, she’s tending to her own growing collection…