Do you want to experiment with growing your monstera in a self-watering pot, but you are afraid of causing damage to this beautiful plant? If yes, then stop worrying and read this article carefully.
We have a decent experience growing monsteras using self-watering pots, and we are willing to help you with our knowledge.
Let’s get started!
Can Monstera Grow in Self Watering Pot?
Monstera can grow in self-watering pots because they provide a constant water supply while reducing root rot’s probability significantly.
In fact, the roots of monstera can quickly rot if the plant gets overwatered. When you grow this plant in regular pots, the chances of overwatering increase because you arbitrarily provide the plant with water. However, if you use a self-watering pot, the plant will get water only when needed.
Self-watering pots have been around for years and have significantly impacted the gardening community. It is becoming a prevalent method of caring for houseplants because they reduce the stress and strain caused by repeated watering.
This type of pot builds a reservoir in the bottom container to hold water. The reservoir then releases the water slowly and evenly into the pot, keeping the soil evenly moist.
There are two types of self-watering pots, and both of them have a reservoir in the bottom that delivers water to the soil. But the method of transporting water to the plant differs in each case.
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The first self-watering pot has a unique medium between the base and the soil that transports water to the plant. This medium is generally made out of LECA. This medium keeps water flowing slowly from the reservoir to the soil without any human intervention.
The other self-watering pot uses a string-wicking system to provide the plant with water. In this pot, the water reservoir is separated from the pot via a gap which is excellent for plants that are sensitive to overwatering. In this case, water gravitates to the soil via a string that connects the reservoir to the pot.
When you hear about self-watering pots, you should not imagine a pot that gets water from the fountain itself. In fact, a self-watering pot has a water level indicator on the top that will tell you exactly when to add water to the reservoir.
These pots are great if you want to save time or travel a lot and leave your plants home for long periods.
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What Are the Advantages of Growing Monstera in Self-Watering Pots?
The main benefit of self-watering pots for monstera is that they reduce the risk of overwatering while providing a steady water source. They also help save water and the time you spend watering this plant.
Let’s go over all the advantages that self-watering pots can provide to monstera and explain them one by one:
They Help to save Time: Instead of manually watering your monstera every few days, you will only fill the reservoir every few months, then sit back and enjoy other activities while your plant is growing.
They Reduce the Risk of Overwatering and Root Rot: self-watering pots allow the water to seep into the pot slowly over time. This provides the plant with a constant supply of water that meets its requirements. As a result, overwatering and root rot are less likely to happen with these pots.
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They Also Help You to Save water: when you use a self-watering pot, you only have to refill the reservoir once every few months and let the plant get water as needed. However, when you use a regular pot, you will be obliged to fill the pot every other week and let water flow through the drainage holes.
They Reduce the Risk of Underwatering: self-watering pots ensure a constant water flow for the plant. This helps the plant stay hydrated continuously, which is highly beneficial, especially during hot summer days.
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What Are the Drawbacks of Growing Monstera in Self-Watering Pots?
Like most plants, monstera is not immune to some drawbacks associated with growing it in self-watering pots. Let’s go over them one by one:
They are More Expensive: These pots are not cheap because they are complicated to manufacture. They can be expensive for people who are used to buying regular pots. In fact, these pots come with many elements that increase their price heavily. The water reservoir, the string, the valve, and the water level indicator increase these pot prices significantly.
Most of Them Are Made of Non-Porous Materials: most self-watering pots are made of plastic which is the worst material for growing monstera. Generally, this plant requires a pot made of a porous material such as clay or ceramic.
They Are Not Very Durable: While they are made of high-quality plastic, they are not durable. They might break or chip because of the pressure applied by the weight of the plant and the water reservoir.
They Can Make You Forget Your Plant: by watering your monstera regularly, you will unconsciously pay attention to any problem that may happen to the leaves, stems, soil, or even the pot. However, when you use a self-watering pot, you may forget to check your plant for months. During this period, a fungus or a pest can hit your plant and eradicate it without you noticing any damage.
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They Are Heavy and Require More Space: self-watering pots are not designed for small areas such as offices and tiny rooms. They come with a heave water reservoir that may increase the surface occupied by the plant by 50%. Additionally, these pots are weighty, especially when you fill the reservoir with water. Therefore, if you move your plants a lot, then you should stay away from them.
They Have a Short Life Span: These pots are not long-lasting, as they can only last a few years before they start to rust. When that happens, you will have to buy another one. Considering their high price, buying a new self-watering pot every few years would not be a wise investment unless you are someone who does not have the time to water the plants regularly.
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