These striking containers are typically used as decorative items. They can be used for other plants and flowers as well, but they look especially lovely when used with plants that trail or hang. A number of materials, or a combination of materials, are used to make hanging baskets, including resin, plastic, coconut fibres, wrought iron, coated wire, and metal. Additionally, they come in a range of pricing ranges, from more economical options to more expensive ones. These containers work well for more compact layouts that won’t get overly heavy. Some have a self-watering reservoir, although cacti and succulents prefer a drier soil, thus this feature may not be perfect for them.
Advantages: Lightweight, appealing, and reasonably priced; appropriate for smaller arrangements for trailing and hanging plants.
Cons: If hanging in a windy area, containers and plants may be vulnerable to wind damage; if left outside, they may quickly become hot or dry out from exposure to the wind and sun; some metals may rust.
Size
Choose a pot that is just big enough for the plant to grow in, but not too big. The circumference of the appropriate pot is 5–10% greater than the size of the plant. Choose pots with a maximum excess space around the sides of an inch or two. The delicate roots will spread if the pot is too big before the plant has a chance to develop. There won’t be any room for the roots to spread in a pot that is too tiny.
Style
The ideal pot should not only complement your style and decor but also the physical properties of the plant. Tall pots look excellent with upright-growing succulents, like aloe. Low-growing cultivars, like Echeveria, look fantastic in little pots. Not to mention spillers with trailing growth tendencies like String of Pearls. Spillers in shallow pots or hanging plants look fantastic and grow well.
Material
There are many different types of materials for pots. The most prevalent materials are wood, terracotta, metal, ceramic, and resin. Terracotta or ceramic pots work best for succulent plants. Both of these materials allow for proper air and water circulation because they are both breathable. Just keep in mind that both ceramic and terracotta are weighty, especially after adding soil and plants.
Pick resin or plastic pots for larger plants, especially ones you plan to move around. Your back will thank you for using those lighter pots as you move or reposition plants.
Drainage
Before you plant and cultivate succulents, the most important thing to understand is that they don’t like a lot of water. Even before you develop a watering schedule, this is relevant. Without adequate drainage, water that accumulates at the bottom of a container without anywhere to go may cause root rot in your succulent.
The ideal pots for succulents, regardless of design, are planters with drainage holes in the bottom. Since many succulent planters lack drainage holes, you can use any of them as long as you keep in mind to water succulents sparingly and keep an eye on them frequently.
African Violets (Saintpaulia)
An indoor ornamental plant called an African Violet blooms most effectively when watered from the bottom up. It’s because watering a plant from top to bottom might cause the plant’s crown to decay.
It is also advantageous to use distilled water to enhance the health of African violets. To get rid of salt and dust, we can occasionally mist the leaves of African violets with water.
Water that is at room temperature must be used to water African violets. It is always recommended to choose self-watering pots because plants are vulnerable to quick leaf chilling. Ring Spots may appear on the leaves of African Violets if we soak them in cold water that is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (a condition of discoloration of leaves).
Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)
Once per week irrigation is necessary for Spaths or Peace Lilies. For my Peace Lilies, I like to use self-watering pots. The Peace Lillies are kept moist by a self-watering plant, which is the main cause of this.
Peace Lilies prefer high humidity and require moist soil to grow. The plant would receive the necessary amount of water from a self-watering pot while avoiding the risk of overwatering.
I frequently fill the water reservoir all the way to the top to ensure that my Peace Lilies have enough water. I’ll also make sure the dirt is completely dry before adding more soil to the pot.
Pothos or Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum)
Pothos grows well in a self-watering container for many of the same reasons as other plants do. Root rots can be prevented with a self-watering planter. Pothos either experiences it as a result of water shortage or excessive watering.
Our Potho can develop fungal infections and wilt its leaves if we overwater it. To avoid these issues, it is recommended to choose self-watering pots. Always allow the soil time to dry up in self-watering pots before adding more water to the reservoir. It is anything that facilitates Pothos’ nutrition acquisition.
I frequently add new dirt to my Pothos, especially when gaps appear. It is a great technique to occasionally provide the plant the nutrients it needs.
Fiber Optic Plant (Isolepis Cernua)
The fibre optic plant, sometimes referred to as low bulrush, is a semi-aquatic plant in its natural habitat. Therefore, this plant needs enough water to stay healthy. Water gardens are where most people cultivate their fibre optic plants. They can, however, also grow well in self-watering containers.
It is preferable to fill the reservoir all the way to the top because it needs a lot of moisture. We can’t allow the soil of a fibre optic plant dry out like we can with Pothos and other plants. It will cause it to wilt.
In a self-watering pot with medium sunlight, I’ve put my fibre optic plant. It aids in keeping my plant healthy in its self-watering container.
Umbrella Palm (Cyperus Alternifolius)
Umbrella Palms need a lot of water, just like Fiber Optic Plants need. It is a semi-aquatic plant as well. If we plant an umbrella palm in a self-watering planter, it can thrive.
We need to fill the reservoir all the way to the top and refill it frequently because it mostly grows in water. The plant can be replenished by regularly checking the pot and giving it water.
We need to make sure the roots of an umbrella palm are kept moist and damp. It will negatively impact the plant if its roots are dry. Brown spots appear on the tops of the umbrella palms’ leaves as a result of dehydration. This problem is readily solved if we have our umbrella palm planted in a self-watering pot.
Ferns (Polypodiopsida)
When we give ferns enough moisture, humidity, and peaty soil to grow in, they do well. By using water that is at normal temperature, we can guarantee the wellbeing of our ferns.
Ferns typically perish as a result of either inadequate or excessive irrigation. When ferns experience under-watering, the leaves turn yellow and become dry. On the other side, over watering can cause the leaves to become yellow and the roots to decay.
However, we can use self-watering pots to provide our ferns enough water. Additionally, we must routinely assess the plant’s needs for moisture.
We must refrain from watering the plant from the top once we have planted our ferns in self-watering pots. However, we can top-water our ferns once or twice a year to clean their foot system.
Selaginella
The plant selaginella requires high humidity levels. These plants may wilt and perish if there is not enough moisture. A Selaginella plant typically dies due to uprooting, which happens as a result of dehydration.
The plant may be able to recover its health if we give it enough water. To assure their growth and to offer a consistent supply of water, I have placed Selaginella plants in a self-watering pot.
Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia)
Similar to other predatory plants, pitcher plants demand particular care and attention. For them, having a suitable drainage system is crucial to their ability to develop. In addition, we need to guarantee that it gets enough water.
We can always rely on self-watering pots for that reason, especially in warmer climates. To make sure the plant receives the right amount of water in such locations, we must fill the reservoir each morning. For the self-watering container, we can also set up an automatic watering system.
For a pitcher plant, it is best to choose a self-watering pot that is between 16 and 20 cm wide. Here, the reservoir needs to be routinely topped over with four to six cm of water.
Cherry Tomatoes Plant
When we plant cherry tomatoes in large pots, they do well. The soil will have greater space to absorb water thanks to it. To provide us with a good crop, they require more water.
Split tomatoes and blossom end rot can both result from under-watering. Similar effects on the plant might also come from overwatering. Therefore, it is crucial to give the plant consistent amounts of water and nutrients to preserve its health. The soil must be moist, but that does not mean it must be humid.
Choosing a self-watering container will help us to give our Cherry Tomatoes a plentiful supply of water. We can water the plants automatically as well.
Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
Basil, which is often used in cooking, needs plenty of sunlight and mild weather. When the weather is hot and dry, it grows best. If it’s freezing outside, the plant might not make it.
By giving the plant a good environment to flourish in, we can prevent these issues. Basil plants can benefit from indoor cultivation, proximity to a windowsill, or exposure to fluorescent lighting.
Our basil plants, especially those kept inside, might benefit from a self-watering pot by getting the necessary amount of moisture. When the reservoir is empty and the ground is completely dry, we can replenish it.
Cilantro or Coriander (Coriandrum Sativum)
For survival, cilantro need a lot of moisture. The majority of people grow them in water, particularly in large pots. However, we can also use self-watering containers to cultivate our cilantro plants in soil.
The leaves of the cilantro plant get moist as we water it from top to bottom. Powdering mildew can grow on moist leaves. Self-watering pots can help us solve this issue because they don’t wet the leaves.
Which plants should not be grown in self-watering pots?
In this part, I won’t in any way discourage you from purchasing a self-watering planter. Nevertheless, it’s usually a good idea to consider a product from both angles before making a purchase. Here are several traps you need to be aware of.
Hot Weather Can Make the Water Evaporate
You might find yourself replenishing the planter more frequently in warm areas in particular because the water will evaporate more quickly. That is irritating because it negates the majority of the benefits of owning a self-watering planter.
Not Good for All Types of Plants
A self-watering planter is appropriate for many houseplants, as I said in the introduction. These include herbs, garlic, cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes, as well as other tropical plants and vegetables. If you enjoy annuals, they ought to thrive in a self-watering pot. Perennials, particularly hostas and Japanese irises, share the same characteristics.
However, plants that require extremely moist soil don’t fare as well in a self-watering planter. The self-watering planter can cause some indoor plants to dry out and overall suffer since this way of watering, from the bottom up, rarely provides as much moisture as they require.
Which houseplants are NOT great candidates for a self-watering container?
- One example is the umbrella papyrus/palm, Cyperus alternifolius, which is regarded as semi-aquatic. It grows best with a big, full saucer underneath it and prefers a lot of humidity in the air.
- Another semi-aquatic plant that prefers more moisture and water is the spike moss, commonly referred to as living moss or the Selaginella family of plants. Because the plant’s roots are shorter than those of other species of houseplants, using conventional potting soil inhibits water from reaching the roots.
- Isolepis cernua, the fiber-optic plant, gets its name from the way its inflorescences resemble fibre optics. It’s yet another semi-aquatic plant that can’t grow in a self-watering pot. Instead, place a saucer or basin filled with water underneath the plant.
Self-watering planters: Do they lead to root rot?
These container systems have the following drawbacks:
- Self-watering pots are not appropriate for all plants: Succulents, orchids, and other plants that require their potting soil to dry out between waterings should not be grown in self-watering pots. These kinds of plants will develop root rot as a result of the ongoing dampness.
- Self-watering pots are ineffective outside in humid or wet weather: High humidity and rain will cause outdoor self-watering containers to become soggy. Although it helps, an overflow outlet cannot stop extra water from entering the soil in the first place, wetting it rather than keeping it evenly moist.
Succulents prefer tight pots, right?
Succulents should be planted in pots that are about 10% broader than the plants themselves. Choose the shallow pot whenever the choice is between a deep or shallow pot. The pot’s depth should be 10% greater than the plant’s depth.
Let’s clarify using instances from real life:
- Grab a 2.5 (the best option) to 4 inch pot (the exact maximum size) for optimal outcomes if you have a 2 inch succulent.
- Grab a 4.5 (the best option) to 6 inch pot (the exact maximum size) for optimal results if you have a 4 inch succulent.
Are succulents tolerant of crowds?
Speaking with individuals about succulent care or watching succulent care “in the wild” has made me aware of some of the misconceptions around succulent plants in the horticultural community. Just stroll through the nurseries in garden centres, where staff members are highly qualified. There are numerous excellently kept ornamental plants, fruit trees, and beautifully managed bedding plants, all of which have been nourished, watered, and maintained. then go for the section with succulents. You’ll find plants that have been improperly labelled, overwatered, underwatered, and generally neglected. In response to requests for assistance from merchants and landscaping contractors, I pondered this for a long time.
Successful succulent care is a synthesis of numerous elements, just like taking care of other plants. soil, water, fertiliser, exposure, control of pests and diseases, upkeep, and most importantly, observing and asking questions about the health of the plants.
Observing the plants and wondering what is going on with them. Yes, I believe that this is the most crucial element in keeping succulent plants healthy and beautiful. Applying what you have learnt to this group of plants will go a long way toward success with them if you are a gardener with prior success cultivating other types of plants. A plant is most likely not healthy if it does not appear to be so. Like any other plant that does not appear to be healthy, a plant that is unhealthy is likely dealing with challenges relating to soil, water, fertiliser, pest and disease control, upkeep, or a combination of these issues.
Due to their adaptation to places where water is scarce for extended periods of time, succulent plants differ somewhat from normal herbaceous perennial plants. As a result, their relationship with water plays a significant role in what makes them special. When it comes to gathering and preserving water, succulent plants are particularly effective. Additionally, they are more vulnerable to issues if exposed to excessive water. One of the most important determining aspects in maintaining the health of succulents is water management.
Here are some general care instructions for succulents, including everything from water to soil to sunlight.
Soil
The secret to soil mix in containers and in the landscape is good drainage and aeration. The majority of commercial soil mixtures are a little too dense and hold a lot of water for succulents. Adding coarse perlite, crushed lava, or pumice to conventional potting mixtures will usually be sufficient to transform them into effective succulent potting mixtures. Normally, I advise mixing 1 part amendment with 4 parts potting mix. For succulents like cactus that require even more drainage and aeration, the proportion of amendment can be increased.
There are a number of high-quality choices available on the market if you want to purchase pre-mixed soil, including the E.B. Stone Cactus mix that we carry at the nursery.
Water
Thick stems and leaves that effectively gather and store water are characteristics of succulent plants. Traditional plant varieties have thin leaves and require more frequent hydration and watering. Even though the soil is damp, a plant like a coleus may wilt on a hot day. For the coleus to have more humidity and water availability, more regular watering is required. The succulent is less prone to wilt since it has water stored in its leaves and stem. Before being watered, succulent plants prefer to get close to being dry. The plant’s root ball stores the rest of the remaining moisture when the earth dries out. It’s time to water when this area is almost completely dry. Water the plant thoroughly so that the soil is completely saturated and some water runs out the bottom of the plant. Watering a succulent is very much the same as watering any other plant, only not as frequently.
When the environment is unfavourable, there is an exception to how you water a succulent. Poor air circulation, cloudy, dark days, and inadequate lighting may be examples of this. The plant will dry out extremely slowly in these conditions, so it will require controlled watering—giving it tiny doses of water—to prevent being overly wet for an extended period of time. Again, keeping plants healthy requires paying attention to what they need.
Fertilizer
Like most plants, succulents like being fed. Succulents vary from other plants in that they require less fertiliser less frequently since they are so effective. I do not suggest giving succulents any particular fertiliser. As you develop your plant-growing skills, experimenting with various fertilisers may improve the quality of your plants and/or blooms. Use a balanced fertiliser in the interim, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. To maintain a healthy, growing plant, a fertiliser that is well-balanced is essential. There are a variety of all-purpose fertilisers that will work; at the nursery, we carry and advise Maxsea All-Purpose Plant Food.
An overabundance of fertiliser will promote excessive growth, which gives the plant a weedy appearance. Insufficient water will cause the plant to go into suspended animation and appear to be motionless. I advise halving the stated dosage rate and fertilising no more frequently than once per month. Since most succulents become dormant throughout the winter, it’s usually not required to fertilise them.
Exposure
Succulent plants, like the majority of plants, prefer a climate with plenty of sunlight and clean air. Many people have misconceptions about succulents. One of the topics that people misinterpret is sunlight. When the topic of succulents is brought up, many people immediately think “desert.” In actuality, succulent plants grow most attractively when given a little sun protection. Succulent plants can develop good colour and form without being dried out by the heat of the midday sun if they are grown in a few hours of early sun throughout the warmer months of the year. Shade fabric, lattice, or even the partial shadowing offered by a tree will help break up the heat of the sun in a southern exposure when the sun is shining on the area all day. More light exposure will aid the plant in preserving its good shape and colour as winter draws closer. The plant will seem parched and burnt out if it receives too much sunlight. Too little sunshine causes the plant to extend out in search of more light, losing its beautiful compact structure.
Cold Tolerance
Information on the cold tolerance of several succulent plants was lacking until recently. If you don’t know a plant’s resistance to cold, I advise thinking it will freeze or suffer harm if the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or freezing. Plants can be protected from light frost using inexpensive materials like frost cloth. These materials work well to increase your level of protection by 4 to 6 degrees.
Pest and Disease Control
Aphids are always going to be aphids. Like other plants, succulents will be attacked by insects. The idea is to observe your plants, look more closely, and explore anything that seems abnormal. Like any other plant, succulents require the ideal exposure or location, as well as decent soil, appropriate watering, and fertiliser. You are less likely to encounter bugs if these factors are properly balanced.
Succulent plants are susceptible to the same bugs and diseases that affect other plants, which is a fact of life. Succulents require the same level of pest and disease monitoring as other plants. As with other plants, aphids typically target the blossoms and new growth on succulents. Like other plants, measly bugs live on the roots of the plant and lodge between the leaves near new development. They can also infest the soil. Earwigs and snails both eat on the leaves. Succulent leaves may get powdery mildew, especially after extended periods of bad weather. Not to mention the ants, of course. Farmers are ants. Ants use plants like succulents to develop bugs that will help feed all of their ant companions, just as you may rototill the dirt and plant carrot seeds for your habit of drinking carrot juice. Any ants you see on your plants, get rid of them.
Therefore, these so-called succulent plants are not bug-proof. Although they are hardy and can endure an infection for a long time, healthy, attractive plants must be watched over, and when an infestation does arise, it must be treated with.
You decide how to handle an infestation. To help identify the bug or disease, you may speak with someone at your neighbourhood nursery or your acquaintance who is an avid gardener. You decide whether to utilise organic materials or nuclear weapons, water, soap, q-tips, or chemicals. The most important thing is to address the issue as soon as you become aware of it.