Self-watering pots have a few pros and cons that are worth understanding. Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
The roots draw up water from a reservoir below the pot as the roots grow down towards it. It means you don’t have to water so often, so it’s a great solution if you’re planning to be away for a while. The drawback is that it’s harder to monitor the moisture in the soil.
If the soil is dry but there is still water in the pot, it’s likely the plant is too small for the pot and the roots are failing to reach down far enough. You can remedy this by watering from the top and tip out the excess that drains through. If the soil is staying wet, you’ll need to restrict the amount of water in the reservoir.
Perfect plants for self-watering pots include ferns, or plants that prefer water away from their leaves like African violets. Make sure to give them a good soak every now and then, to flush out any excess fertiliser and mineral build up. Avoid using plants that prefer to dry out between watering, such as succulents, anthuriums and dracaenas. In general, self-watering pots need fertilising more often as constant water breaks down water soluble nutrients quickly.
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