Abstract: There is provided a self-watering apparatus for growing plants comprising a soil retaining compartment and a first and second water reservoir compartments, the first reservoir compartment being of substantially lesser cross-sectional area than the second. The second water reservoir compartment is open to the atmosphere and by virtue of an interconnection between the first and second reservoirs, maintains the water level in the first. The apparatus provides three zones through which a root grows, a soil zone, an air zone and a water zone, which air zone is maintained at high humidity by virtue of the small cross-sectional area of the first water reservoir zone, which prevents injury to roots growing into the water zone and encourages root growth toward the water zone.