A retractable hose box is lovely to use in the right spot: pull out what you need, water the beds and guide it back without a loose coil across the patio. In the wrong corner, even a long hose spends its life catching on things.
I’ve installed both the wall-mounted Gardena RollUp and the ground-spike version. The wall model keeps the floor clear near a well-placed tap. The ground model gives more choice of position where a suitable wall is missing, provided the ground holds the spike securely.
I’d choose the position before choosing the box. Both the wall RollUp M and ground RollUp M include a 20m watering hose, but the route from the tap to the reel matters too. Here’s the check I use.
Place the reel before judging hose length
On my ground-spike installation, screwing the spike in took some effort, but the reel felt secure once anchored. The wall bracket height and freedom to swivel mattered more in daily use than the headline 20m length. I guide the last stretch back on both versions.
Trace two journeys: the supply hose from the tap to the box, and the watering hose from the box to the farthest bed. A central reel may shorten the second route while making the first cross a path or mowing line. Lay a rope around furniture and corners, leave working slack at the far end, then mark how the inlet will get there. If either route becomes a permanent trip or snag point, rethink the position.
On paper, a 20 m hose seems to cover a broad area. In a real garden it travels around corners, past furniture and through gaps, and you need working slack at the far end. Walk the hose route from the proposed reel position to the furthest area. Measure that route, not a straight line across the lawn. An illustrative 15 m straight-line distance can easily require more hose when a path and borders force a detour.
The wall unit mounts near a suitable wall and Gardena says its bracket swivels more than 180°. That works well beside a house or garage if the wall, fixings and tap position all suit. Do not assume the supplied plugs are correct for every brick, block, render or insulation system; follow the installation instructions and seek appropriate fixing advice for your wall.
The ground-spike unit can be placed in a bed or lawn and swivels through 360° according to Gardena. It avoids wall drilling, but requires a suitable patch of ground and clearance to turn. It is a poor fit for paving unless you choose a product specifically designed for a terrace mounting. Keep its position away from fragile planting and mower routes.
What is actually included?
| Check | Wall RollUp M, 18610-20 | Garden RollUp M, 18614-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Hose | 20 m, 11 mm | 20 m, 11 mm |
| Mount | Wall bracket with screws and plugs | Ground spike and assembly aid |
| Movement | More than 180° bracket swivel | 360° swivel |
| Buying link | Wall-mounted box on Amazon | Ground-spike box on Amazon |
Gardena describes both as ready-to-use sets with hose, connection elements and a nozzle. The installations are different, so do not buy a wall kit expecting a spike, or the spike kit expecting a wall bracket. Compare the exact article number on the live retailer page; colours and regional bundles may vary.
Winter and maintenance checks
Both UK product pages list frost protection. Gardena says its hose boxes are made for outdoor use, but that is not a reason to leave trapped water in attached fittings contrary to its instructions. Follow the product manual for winter preparation, disconnect or drain fittings where instructed, and protect the outdoor tap as appropriate. Check the warranty conditions too: Gardena lists five years after registration, with registration required within its stated period.
A retracting hose should rewind under control. Let the mechanism draw it back as designed; keep children and loose objects clear of the route. Inspect the hose for kinks and the mount for movement rather than pulling against a blocked reel.
The practical buying decision
Choose the wall RollUp M if the wall is suitable and the tap and route make that location natural. Choose the ground RollUp M when a central garden position reduces the hose run and the soil can hold the spike as directed. For a watering system with timers or sprinklers, see our watering system comparison; a hose box is storage and delivery, not an automatic irrigation controller.
Sources and specification checks
Manufacturer specifications checked 19 September 2026. Check current retailer variant and terms. Featured image is an AI-generated illustrative scene, not a product test photograph; supporting graphics are original.
