Self-Watering Pots for Houseplants?

Hi Fronds, I have been testing self-watering pots mainly for my begonias as I love their beautiful foliage. I also tried it with some other plants to see how they do. My conclusion is that these are great for begonias and probably ferns as they both like a lot of moisture. I tried it with calatheas as well and they don’t like it as much but I am thinking if you adjust your medium and make it more draining, it could work? I will definitely try this and see how it goes. For my peperomias, I’d try with caution. Whenever you introduce a new change, you should always monitor your plant in case you need to swoop in and save it. I added more perlite to my peperomia mix to see if they will be happier. I forgot that I ended putting my alocasia maharani in there and it seems to be doing ok. I spoke to a fellow plant lover and she too has a couple of alocasias in these pots and they seem to love it as well. So maybe alocasia like more moisture than I thought. It’s not clear when you read about watering needs for tropical plants how much moisture they actually need. This little experiment has definitely given me a little more insight into what “keep moist” means for different tropical plants.

Here are the links to the different pot sizes:

Regular pots

And if you want to hang your plants… Wall hanging pots:

I am planning to make a wall of plants with these.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!

My DIY tropical plant potting mix:

***DIY Soil Mix***

***For Drainage***

***Other soil bits***

***Nutrients/Fertilizers I add to my soil***

***Fertilizer I add to my water***

***Semi Hydro***

💡💡💡Artificial Lighting I use 🌞

***Plant Furniture***

***Humidifier***
I add hydrogen peroxide all my water to kill germs

These are the products I use. They are affiliated links from Amazon, which means I get a small percentage when you use the links to buy ANYTHING from Amazon and this will help me earn $1 💵 a day from my YouTube career with no additional cost to you! 🍻😊 a Win Win 💸👊

Find me on: 🌍

#botanicalwoman #selfwatering #pots

[dianebeckett]

I love the Self watering pot!!! I do not have any problems! Thank you for sharing!

[houseplantheather]

Great idea for Begonias and Ferns. I mainly collect Peperomia, but they really like to dry out, so I’d be hesitant to do this with them. If you try any more I’d definitely be interested in seeing how it turns out! Thanks for sharing!

[dianebeckett]

My Rex Begonias did well in the self watering pots! They do work!

[jonisolis]

You have a nice collection of plants! I am putting a lot of my plants in homemade wicking pots. You can have it give the plant a little less water by using thinner wicking thread. I use a piece of 100% acrylic yarn for most of my wicking pots. It is thinner than your wicking thread and might help some of the plants you have not to get overwatered. I would not use cotton as it rots. Also, for some plants that like more air I put the pot above the water container and use a pot with a lot of air holes in it.

[IMNENIGMA]

try making your own pon to allow air to get to the roots. self watering pots are basically for a chunkier mix, which is why they have net(orchid) pots in em

[_up_moon]

If I had to guess about why your Calathea are reacting that way, I'd guess the coconut husks have salts in them and when the plants expel water, it evaporates on the leaves and burns them.
I've been putting things in semi-hydro but I only started a few days ago.
Thank you for the video. I am especially interested in the Peperomia. I've been so hesitant to put them in a consistently moist substrate.

Edit: a note about your wicks. It's best to use synthetic material because the cotton wicks will break down over time.
I use regular synthetic yard with three strands knotted at the end and very loosely braided together and another knot at the other end. I wove it halfway up for an orchid of mine and it's probably my happiest orchid.

[WolfBandit]

Wow! I’m glad I came across this video. I need to buy some self watering pot. I need to put my ivy plants in one of thess.

[JanE]

I love your begonias .. They look so healthy. Will you share what potting medium you use? Thank you :)

[pattycakes]

Also struggling with my escargot begonia will try your method hopefully it survives 🤞🏼

[wildegenius]

Having PPP, Calatea and Maranta in Self watering, but with pon. Works great.

[maymilos]

Oh I love the new leafs on you pink Princess! How's she going can you do an update?

[ThePlantUtopia]

Very informative. I have bought some and I am going to try it with ferns.

[susanpratt]

My oxalis, and (finally) ferns are growing! My self waterers are a blessing as I could not get their watering down. Yea! Going to try with others that may prove appropriate. My cane angel wing? Mine don't have the basket liner, they have wicks. One is a terra cota pot inside a ceramic outside pot (not sure what it's called) that I have my club moss in and so far so good.🙂

[Matias-rnff]

You should try with another substrate for the ones that didn't work :) I've been trying PON, and most of the plants in that medium are doing great :)

[gardenstead]

You have a gorgeous 'Pink Princess' Philodendron! We want to get a few more pink plants as well. :)

[vincentmarquez]

what can you advice about using self-watering pots for aglaonema plants?

[reyakisakura]

My plants wont wick up any water. Think it could be the substrate? Which substrate would you recommend ?

[desireeong]

Where did you get your pots with no holes?

[carolsmith]

Very informative re watering thanks! What is the name of the begonia at .42 seconds? It glistens and is so beautiful-where did you buy it? Thanks so much.

[Ian_]

Hi Any updates on the begonia rex on self watering planters? Thanks