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Cacti & Succulents

Planter appropriate for succulents?

13 years ago

Hello All,

I am a complete beginner at growing succulents. I recently came across some interesting planters at an irresistable price, but I'm not sure if they would be appropriate for c/s.

They are called self watering clay pots... a traditional pot shape with an outer shell designed to be filled with water. The inner pot is not glazed where it would contact the water, allowing the transfer of liquid. I set them up with water, but no soil or plants as soon as I got them home. Four hours later, the inner pot had absorbed enough water to color but none had pooled inside.

Being new at this, I'm not certain if the amount of water wicking through a consistently wet clay pot would be too much, just right, or not enough!

They are similar to the one in the link below:

Here is a link that might be useful: Self watering pot

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Comments (9)

norma_2006
13 years ago
I don't think cactus and succulents should be in constantly damp soil. Even a bathtub would work it has a drainage hole. Any thing that holds soil that has a hole is good, cover the hole with screen to keep the bugs out. I would perfer that you give a thorough watering and wait until the soil completely dries out before watering again. Measure with a chop stick or a pencil, by leaving in the soil 5 minutes and feel if it is damp on the end. Norma
User
13 years ago
Hi Lexie,

Sorry, but no, the short answer is these pots are not for succulents, rather more for things like African Violets, (or perhaps ferns), which want some moisture ALL the time.

It happens that would likely cause rot &/or death for many succulents (too much moisture).
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I'm at sunny Manila, Philippines right now! :) Nice tropical archipelago. Tons of sun and humidity most of the year.. we also have a rainy season which started this month and will end hopefully before Christmas.. That means it's hot as per usual everyday (it's noon now and 31C or 88F) with rain showers all throughout the day everyday. Some days the rain will fall longer than usual (few hours).. And we also get storms/monsoons/typhoons often. My cacti and succulent go in during those heavy downpours. I also have a home in Indonesia.. Another hot archipelago. My grandmother's plants grow amazingly there too. She has agaves that bloom in her backyard! And yes about the balcony.. Mine in particular hugs the corner of the house (it's an L shape.. so I have my cacti wire shelf in a "sweet spot" which is technically under an awning (shielded from harsh noon sun) but gets a lot of morning and afternoon light. I put more delicate plants in the lower tiers of the shelf so it gets more dappled sunlight. Works well so far! Regarding my planter.. I'm not too happy just yet.. I will pass by the garden center this afternoon (or after I hear advice from you guys) and see if they have choices of taller succulents for the top row.. I'll also check if they have "spillers" or those drooping kinds. I couldn't find them last week. :)
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beachplant
13 years ago
PG & Norma are correct, it's jut too wet for them. I have seen sanseveria growing in them but I wouldn't try it. They are great for anything that likes a moist environment, there are a couple on my desk with African violets in them and they thrive. I've got some philodendrums rooting in a couple of them at the house, they'll outgrow the pots quickly though.
Tally HO!
lexie1397
Original Author
13 years ago
Wow, thank you all for such quick responses. I'm glad I came here to ask before I potted something up! I like the possibility of growing african violets in them... I've never had good luck with them as I tend to be a drink and dry kind of waterer!
happyhartshorne
13 years ago
I second the suggestion of growing african violets in self-watering containers. :-) I've grown several in those types of containers that did very well.
jade_man
13 years ago
hello Lexi,
i have started many jade leaves with great success in the past. this summer i found the web site below. i have started an experiment with jade leaves and adenium obesum to see if it is possible. it does seem to be possible, despite conventional wisdom. i have changed the medium to screened and rinsed turface. i do think that it is possible for you to use those pots with the proper medium. with the proper medium i believe even a succulent can be quite happy in a constantly moist environment, the medium must allow for moisture and air to be constantly present.

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Here is a link that might be useful: alternate to conventional wisdom
happyhartshorne
13 years ago
Wow, Jade Man: Those baby jades look great! How long did it take from the time you took the cuttings to the time you took the pictures above?
jade_man
13 years ago
it was about the first week in July. they are growing faster than any other leaf cuttings i have ever started. i am very pleased with them. i will post if i ever find a negative effect to hydro-culture growing of jades and adeniums. and thank you.
User
13 years ago
Well I'd like to remind folks that Self watering pots, growing Hydro & Wick Watering are all different things & a newbie may not know/understand this. I particularly wouldn't suggest this about succulents for newbies.

(It happens I grow using all 3 techniques, including one succulent growing in Hydo (a Sansevieria of all things.))

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