What is an Olla and How Do I use it in My Garden?
The Olla is the ultimate "set-and-forget" irrigation tool for any garden, but especially your Raised Beds and Planter Boxes. Buried in the soil, this porous terracotta pot naturally releases water directly to the roots only when they need it. No electricity, no plastic, no wasted water.
We are always looking for ways to combine the natural beauty of Western Red Cedar with high-efficiency gardening. If you’ve ever struggled with wilting plants during a heatwave or wondered how you can cut back costs and time spent watering, the solution might be 4,000 years old.
The science is simple: Soil Moisture Tension. When the soil is dry, it pulls moisture through the clay walls of the Olla. Once the soil is hydrated, the flow stops. Your plants effectively "call" for water exactly when they are thirsty.
Coverage & Sizing Guide
We offer 3 various sizes for your garden space. You can always safely size up to ensure deep hydration during hotter months.
-
Small (500ml): Hydrates 1 – 1.3 ft radius. Perfect for smaller planters and herbs.
-
Medium (1L): Hydrates 2 ft radius. The "all-rounder", perfect for our most popular 18” x 48” raised garden bed.
-
Large (3L): Hydrates 3 – 3.3 ft radius. Maximum coverage for spaces like our 18” x 72” raised garden bed.
How to Use It
We have kept things super easy:
-
Bury your Olla up to the neck.
-
Plant your flowers or vegetables in a circle around it.
-
Fill it with water and place the lid on top to stop evaporation and pests.
PRO TIP: For the first 2 weeks, continue to surface water as needed while keeping the Olla full. This ensures your new plants stay hydrated until their root systems grow deep enough to reach the Olla’s moisture zone.
Winter Care Note
Important: Terracotta is porous and can crack in cold if water freezes inside it. When temperatures start dropping in the autumn, make sure to dig up your Olla, empty any remaining water, and store it indoors for the winter.
The Highlights
-
Vacation-Ready: Once established keeps plants hydrated for several days on one fill.
-
Water Savings: Zero evaporation; water goes straight to the roots.
-
Healthier Plants: Encourages deep root systems and prevents surface-level weeds/fungus.
-
100% Sustainable: Plastic-free, toxin-free, and biodegradable terracotta.
Ready to put Your Garden on Auto Pilot?
Stop guessing when to water and let your plants take the lead. Whether you are growing an organic veggie patch or a beautiful floral display, the Olla is the most sustainable way to ensure a lush, healthy harvest.
I purchased the Olla pots for my two new cedar planters. I live in zone 5 and it can get very cold for several months over the winter. Should I remove the pot during that time? I will have the beds covered with the purchased covers as well. I want to take good care of them so they last for years!
———
Cedar Planters replied:
Hi Lee
That’s a great question even with the covers on, we highly recommend removing your Olla pots for the winter, in Zone 5 especially . As terracotta is porous, it absorbs moisture from the soil. When the ground freezes, that trapped water expands and can crack the clay.
To keep them safe for years, just dig them up in late autumn, empty them out, and store them indoors (like a shed or garage) until spring. Your cedar planters and covers will handle the winter perfectly!
Happy Planting!
I have already put bulbs and plants in my 60" planter box. Today I purchased the large Olla. Should I wait until next season to plant it?
———
Cedar Planters replied:
Hi Nancy,
They will be beautiful for sure! We would suggest that you carefully add the olla now if the bulbs and plants have not yet fully rooted or bloomed, and you can keep it in during the warmer months while things become established. Alternatively, you can also wait and add the olla next season—just be sure to remove it when temperatures come down. Happy Planting!
Leave a comment