If only there was a way to provide just the right amount of water for your plants even if you are not present. But wait! There is the self-watering pot!
Read more to find out about this marvelous tool.
Plants That Should Use Self-Watering Pots
It is a universal truth that growing plants in self-watering pots will provide the proper amount of continuous moisture to the plants. One of the key issues growers have with many plants is that it is picky about the amount of water available to its roots. A self-watering pot neutralizes this difficulty in growing some plants that would otherwise be difficult to care for. Here are a few plants that benefit from using self-watering pots:
African Violet Overview
The African Violet is a popular compact houseplant that typically grows purple flowers, though there are varieties with other colors. They have short, fleshy leaves that are a bit furry and flowers that typically have 5 petals (though some varieties have more) that are either oval or heart-shaped. These plants do really well in self-watering plants and are typically fairly low maintenance when kept in the right environment.
Fittonia Overview
Also known as the Nerve Plant, Fittonias are a popular houseplant with vibrant leaves. They come in several different colors and variegations. While they typically do not grow to be very tall, they do spread out, vining a little bit. They need to have moist soil or the leaves will begin to suffer. The plant has a slight fuzz that covers the stems and the leaves, making it a soft plant to touch.
How Does a Self-Watering Container Work?
The self-water pot is an ingenious mechanism that employs three essential elements that will keep your plant watered over time. They are also good for keeping your plants watered while on vacation. These elements are as follows:
Best Self-Watering Pots
One of the primary reasons many do not use self watering pots is they are expensive. There are DIY videos available on the internet for making self watering pots much more inexpensively than purchasing them outright.
That being said, here are some of the more popular types of self-watering pots:
How to Choose a Pot Size
When it comes to choosing a container size for your plants, you should look into the individual need of the plant, as they will vary.
For instance, African Violets grow best in a pot not much larger in diameter than the plant. Being a little bit root bound is actually the best situation for an African Violet. Ceramic or plastic self-watering containers are the best pots for them.
However, thorough drainage is vital for the survival of this plant. Therefore, if a self-watering pot is not possible, be sure to use a pot with at least one drainage hole in the bottom. If an attractive ceramic pot with no drainage method is desired, pot the African Violet in a snug, plastic pot outfitted with drainage holes and slide the plastic pot inside the ceramic one – attractive, functional, and good for the plant!