Are self-watering pots good for flowers?
William Brown
Published Mar 30, 2026
Are self-watering pots good for flowers?
Yes! Self-watering planters are a fantastic solution for most indoor plants, especially tropical plants, vegetables, annuals, and perennials. Houseplants that like moist soil probably do not need a self-watering planter though, as it’s hard to maintain the degree of necessary soil moisture.
What flowers do well in self-watering pots?
11 Plants that Thrive in Self-Watering Pot
- African Violets (Saintpaulia)
- Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)
- Pothos or Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum)
- Fiber Optic Plant (Isolepis Cernua)
- Umbrella Palm (Cyperus Alternifolius)
- Ferns (Polypodiopsida)
- Selaginella.
- Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia)
Do self-watering containers really work?
The Advantages. Using self-watering containers can be the best way to grow some plants, particularly vegetables. By providing a consistent level of moisture directly to the roots of plants, self-watering containers can increase plant health and yield.
What can I plant in a self watering planter?
Some of the best vegetables for self-watering pots are cherry tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, garlic, cilantro and other herbs. All of these can be grown in any USDA zone, but planting times vary, so check with your local University Extension Center for more information.
What is the best way to water hanging baskets?
When watering hanging baskets, be sure to apply water until water begins to flow out the bottom of the container. This ensures that the entire soil ball has been moistened. Do not let the potting mix dry out completely. Plants will wilt if the potting mix dries out excessively.
How do you make a self watering system?
Punch or cut small holes randomly through the body of the bottle, as shown in the photo. Dig a hole big enough to bury the bottle in either the center of the planter, or right next to the root system of a plant that is in ground. Pack soil up to the open neck of the bottle. Fill the bottle with water from the top.
Do self watering planters work for all plants?
Self-watering pots are not suitable for all plants: Self-watering pots are not suitable for succulents, orchids, and other plants that need to have their potting soil dry out between waterings. The constant moisture will cause root rot in these types of plants.
What do you put in the bottom of a self watering planter?
Another way to create a self-watering wicking pot is to place a layer of gravel or sand in the bottom third of a container that doesn’t have drainage holes, cover it with permeable cloth, and then fill the rest of the container with potting soil.
Do you drill holes in self watering pots?
The added chamber in a self-watering planter is a better solution to drilling holes in your planters. It serves as a place to store water where the plant can access it as-needed. This not only reduces water waste, but also it decreases the risk a plant will dry out and die due to lack of water.
