A plant container includes a container body having a conduit extending between an inlet connection and an outlet connection. A float valve assembly is in communication with the conduit within the container body for automatically controlling fluid entry into the container body from the conduit. A soil retention element is arranged in the container body above the float valve assembly. A method of using the self-watering plant container includes adding soil to an interior volume of the container body above the soil retention element, planting at least one seed in the soil, and connecting a water supply to an inlet connection of the conduit.