A self-watering, flat packed pot cover has been chosen as the 2024 RHS Sustainable Garden Product of the Year. Based on the Japanese art of origami, the POTR range in three sizes, is a self-assembly pot cover with internal wick to make plant watering efficient.

Andrew Flynn, Designer and a Founder of POTR explains that because the packaging in minimal, its critical for retailers to display an assembled POTR so customers can see how it works. In three sizes, retailing at £16 (11cm), £20 (15cm) and £24, they come in a range of colours. “The biggest we currently sell is 18cm diameter, but we would love to go bigger as it makes even more sense from a sustainability point of view and in terms of transport.” It would also help with garden centre displays. “It’s one of the things on our hit list,” he says.

Pots are manufactured in Edinburgh and currently retailers are selling at a 55%-60% margin.

Asked why the product stood out and was named winner, Judge and Dragon’s Den ‘dragon’, Deborah Meaden says: “It is truly, madly and deeply sustainable from the get-go. It uses it's a brilliant material – polyproline – which uses recycled product and is recyclable. But none of that matters if it isn't a cool looking product. You can have the most sustainable thing in the world, but if nobody wants to buy it, it doesn't have any impact whatsoever. I'm always looking for the reasons a product won’t work. But I'll be honest - I've struggled finding anything.” 

In a change to previous years, a Highly Commended was also given and presented to Kim Stead from Twool for its 100% British wool, Sustainable Garden Net. Retailing at £14.99, it’s perfect for supporting sweet peas and other annual climbers.