Self-Watering Pots: Know These 8 Things Before You Start Using Them

Are you tired of watering your plants every day? Then we got a solution for you. 

Self-watering plants are a great way to stay hydrated without ever having to leave your home. Not only is this a convenient way to keep plants healthy, but it’s also a great way to save money on water bills. 

In this post, we will discuss self-watering pots that water your plants while you are away. Now you can water your plants automatically and never forget to water them again.

What are self-watering pots?

A self-watering pot is a container that can water plants automatically. The pot contains a reservoir of water that is connected to the soil in the pot. 

When the soil in the pot becomes dry, the reservoir will begin to water the plant. This allows plants to be watered automatically, without having to worry about forgetting to water them.

How do self-watering pots work?

Self-watering containers are a little bit different from your regular container pots. They generally consist of two containers. One is the container where the plant is planted the other one is the water reservoir.

The planting container has a minimum of two holes, one for the overflowing of water and the other one for placing a wick. The wick connects the planting container with the water reservoir, so it keeps the soil moist.

Self-watering containers use a wick to bring water up from the reservoir to the soil in the pot. The wick is made of a material that absorbs water, such as cotton, and it is attached to the bottom of the pot where the water is stored. The wick extends up into the soil, where it absorbs moisture and brings it back down to the reservoir.

Capillary action helps to move the water along the wick and into the soil. This occurs when liquid molecules are attracted to solid molecules, which creates a force that pulls the liquid up through small spaces or tubes. 

In a self-watering container, this force helps to move water from the reservoir up to the soil and then back down again. 

It waters plants slowly and evenly, which helps to conserve water and minimize the risk of over-watering.

How to use a self watering pot:

To make a self-watering container. start by finding a pot with a wide bottom that will serve as the reservoir. The pot should be at least 2 inches deep, but deeper is better. You can also use an old planting pot and create a reservoir out of it. 

Next, find a smaller pot or planter that will fit inside the first pot. This will be the planting pot. Drill or poke holes in the bottom of the planting pot. 

Put the wick through the hole and attach it to the bottom of the planting pot. The other end of the wick will draw water up from the reservoir and keep your plants watered, so make sure it is long enough to reach the bottom of the reservoir.

Once your self-watering container has been prepared, put the soil into the planting pot and water it. The excess water will go out from the pot through the hole.

After planting your seeds or transplants in the pot, you add water to the reservoir. Now when the soil of the container will be dry, the water will go from the reservoir to the planting container.

It is a natural way for the plants to soak up the water from the soil rather than receive it from the top.

Check out this beautiful self-watering planter for big trees

best potting mix for self-watering pots:

When it comes to choosing the best soil or potting mix for self-watering pots, drainage and aeration are key. The potting mix should be light and fluffy, with excellent drainage so that excess water can flow freely out of the pot. It should also have good aeration so that the soil can breathe and help keep the roots healthy.

A soil mix with compost, perlite, and vermiculite is ideal for these kinds of pots. The compost will help with drainage and aeration, while the perlite and vermiculite will help keep the soil light and airy. 

Alternatively, you can choose a mix that is specifically designed for use in self-watering pots, or ask an expert at your local garden center for advice.

There are many different types of potting mixes available, so it’s important to do your research before you buy.

Benefits of using self-watering Containers:

Self-watering pots have been on the market for a few years now and are becoming more popular. They offer a number of advantages for gardeners.

The main advantage of self-watering pots is that they take care of the watering for you. You don’t have to worry about forgetting to water your plants, or overwatering them. This can be especially helpful for people who are busy or away from home often.

Self-watering pots are a great way to keep your plants healthy, without having to worry about over or under-watering them. They work by using a wick system that helps the water absorb slowly into the soil. 

This is especially helpful for plants that need a lot of water, like tomatoes or cucumbers. It also encourages deep root growth. 

Since all of the nutrients are retained in your container, you don’t have to worry about fertilizing your plants as often.

They’re easy to use – you just fill the pot with water, and the plant takes what it needs. You don’t have to worry about under or over watering, because the self-watering system takes care of that for you.

Self-watering pots also help to prevent over and under-watering, which can both be damaging to plants.

Check out this beautiful self-watering planter for big trees

Downsides of using self-watering pots:

Self-watering pots can be a great way to keep your plants watered, but they do have some problems.

One problem is that they can build up mosquitoes since the water stays in the pot. There are two ways to avoid the problem you can either use a screen or mosquito netting to keep the bugs out or you can change the water frequently to make sure this does not happen.

Self-watering pots are also not suitable for every plant. You can grow selected plants that thrive in this system. For example, plants that don’t need frequent watering, like cactus and succulents, may not grow well in self-watering pots and may suffer root rot. Also, the pot may not be big enough to hold enough water for larger plants.

They can be more expensive than traditional pots. 

They can be heavier, take more space than your traditional pots, and are difficult to move around.

ideal plants for self-watering planters:

You can grow a variety of plants in self-watering pots, but it’s important to choose plants that like moist soil. Some good types of plants to grow in self-watering pots include 

• Tomatoes, 
• Cucumbers, 
• Peppers,
• cabbage, 
• garlic, 
• carrots, 
• cilantro, and other leafy vegetables 
• Perennials 

Plants to avoid:

Plants that are not suitable for self-watering pots are those that require little water. These plants may die if they are placed in a pot that provides a continuous water supply. Here are some of the plants you should avoid growing in a self-watering pot:

• Snake plant
• Rosemary
• Succulents
• Cactus

It is crucial that you research the specific needs of a plant before placing it in a self-watering pot.

Conclusion:

Using a self-watering pot is a great way to ensure your plants are getting the water they need. They are perfect for people who travel often, have busy jobs, or just want to spend more time with their families. 

So if you’re looking for an easy and efficient way to water your plants, be sure to try a self-watering pot!