self watering pots, how do they work?

The sector of gardening and agriculture is living a few years of intense changes, due among other reasons to the ecological awareness that increasingly share a greater part of the population. As a result of this innovation in the sector, various systems arise that try not only to be ecological and save water, but also to facilitate the tasks daily of those who have it. One of these novel products is the self-watering pots, which are nothing other than self-irrigating systems that allow to detach from the daily care of the plants. But do you know how these self-growing pots work? If you do not know, continue reading and we will show you how to get the most out of it.

What are self-watering plant pots?

Before entering the subject, although we have already told you something about these products, it is convenient to know what exactly a self watering pot is. These pots are composed of a container with a water reserve system inside that works through a water tank, connected to pipes that perform the function of absorption to provide water to the plants.

How self-watering pots work

The employment model of the self- watering pots is very simple and anyone can use at home. For proper operation, you will only have to fill the absorption tubes with the desired substrate, always leaving a space for the roots, and then introduce the plant and fill the water tank, without exceeding the level that marks the container. With this system, you will get enough water for the plant for several weeks or even a month, without the worry of having to water them constantly.

In the upper part of the pots, usually one or two absorption wicks are attached, whose function is to keep the plant hydrated continuously. Similarly, these practical pots have a marker where you can check the water level at all times to prevent the plant from drying out, thus being able to refill it when necessary. This new system has been created in order to set aside hoses, which waste a lot of water.

What self-watering pot to choose?

Depending on the use that will be given or the type of plant, there are different pots in the market from which you can decide, but for this, you must first take into account:

• Plant size: If you have purchased a plant that will be tall at maturity, the most logical thing is that you acquire a large pot to allow the roots to grow fluently and not impede the correct growth of the plant.
• Material: There are plastic, wood, clay… but without a doubt you have to think which will be the most appropriate depending on the terrain where you are going to locate it, if there will be a risk of breakage or if it would make a difference if the pot is located outdoors or indoors.
• Location: If you are going to place the pot in the garden, the best would be to buy a model that has holes for better drainage in case of heavy rains. If you do not, it is very likely that the plant would over water and fail to survive. In contrast for interior, it is not necessary to have these holes.

What types of plants can I use?If you are concerned about the type of plant most suitable for self-watering pots, do not worry, since almost any type of decoration plant works correctly with this type of system. Obviously, you will not be able to use plants such as cactus or similar, since the most likely thing is that in a few days the cactus would be over watered because of the excess water that is not typical for this plant. The most suitable plants are those that need frequent watering.