Gone are the days where succulents and decorative plants abound in living rooms, kitchens and patios. From cherry tomatoes to herbs and spices, households are growing their own garden right at the heart of their homes using self watering containers. Given such limited access to good soil, sunlight, and water, these magical pots have proven to deliver a huge difference in how urbanites see gardening in this day and age.
But what’s a self watering container? Does it offer advantages over old school no-drain-holes-in-the-bottom pots?
Self Watering Containers At A Glance
Self watering containers are usually made up of an inner and outer pot joined by a wick that helps pull up needed amount of water into the roots, a pipe, a barrier, soil, and some rocks. The outer pot usually serves as a water reservoir that can help supply water for several days. It can be made out of terra cotta, food buckets, whiskey barrels, fiber or plastic pots, empty wine bottles, and so on. This Aquaphoric Self Watering Planter, for instance, is made of plastic and comes in various colors to blend into your current home design.
Aquaphoric Self Watering Planter
Working on a “reservoir system,” self-watering containers usually has a storage tank at the bottom for you to fill with water enough to feed the plant for a week or so. An overflow hole helps drain excess water and as long as the reservoir is properly filled, a consistent level of moisture is being directed to the roots allowing the plant to thrive. This system offers a practical approach to water conservation without harming plants. With less exposure to sun, wind and disease-causing microorganisms like fungus and viruses, it also protects plants no matter the season.
Top Perks
Self-watering pots offer numerous advantages. Aside from being touted as the best choice of pots in container gardening, it prevents sporadic watering of plants which can sometimes stress them out. On the opposite side, over-watering can kill plants, too. With these magical pots, however, you can consistently nourish plants with just the right amount of water, oxygen and needed nutrients — even when you are on vacation. Providing consistent levels of moisture to the roots can help improve plant health and increase yield.
For many space-challenged urban homes, finding a location where one can easily water plants can be daunting. Now, you can grow vegetables, herbs, and spices as well as decorative plants and succulents right where you want them without any hitch. Dodging watering chore is also non-existent as these self-watering containers allow you to do it on weeks instead of just mere days.
These magical pots and planters bring about convenience and ease of watering chore never before imagined in the container gardening world. Now, urbanites don’t have to possess the so-called “green thumb” to be able to grow their own garden right at the heart of their homes. In that regard, it also offers a practical solution for them to grow their own supply of vegetables, herbs, and spices!
Best Choice of Plants
Source : galveston.agrilife.org
Self-watering containers are made unique with their water reservoirs. With wicks that draw water into the soil, these make plants that thrive in moist soil a perfect choice. Perennials like hostas and Japanese irises, and annuals like lobelia and meadowfoam, require regular watering but may require large-sized pots. In the same light, growing vegetables like carrots, cabbages, garlic, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, basil, lettuce, radishes, coriander, bush beans, kohlrabi, onions, peas, mint, thyme, Asian greens, chard, cucumber, eggplant, fennel, pole beans, leeks, peppers, parsley, rosemary, spinach, broccoli, okra, potatoes, beets, dill, and lemongrass are also great for this type of container provided that they choose the appropriate size of self watering pot or planter. Tropical plants like Peace Lillies and those belonging to the Coleus foliage family are also excellent for self watering containers. As always, it is important to know about a specific plant’s requirements before planting them into one.
