Self watering made easy

Give wick watering a go at home with the Crew Self Watering Pot, an all-in-one self watering starter kit. Ideal for everything from African Violets, Peace Lilies and Spider Plants to most small houseplants. Kit comes with the outer pot, cotton wick, and inner pot all included. 

I know these look fancier in the photos than the price suggests. They look like they might be made of delicate fluted glass, but they're actually made of plastic so are much tougher than they look. Fluted, reeded or ribbed glass was big in the 20's, with a come-back in the 50's and 60's, and gives a little luxe feel to this simple solution to your watering woes, helping you avoid both over-watering and neglect.  

I was pleasantly surprised when these arrived. I thought they couldn't look anywhere near as good in real life as the photos. And sure, we're not talking high-end perfection here, they are plastic and have some minor imperfections, but I'm happy and my plants are very happy. I'm using them for my African Violets (that's one of mine in the photos) and baby Peace Lilies right now, and they're loving them. 

What's in the kit?

Each kit includes two pots and one wick. There's the outer pot that holds the water, and the removable inner pot that holds your plant and substrate. The inner pot has drainage holes and two larger holes which the wick loops through. It's a very simple, easy system.

The wick (included) is a nice thick cotton rope wick, which can (and should) be replaced over time. You can use other wick materials instead for less or more absorbency, just make sure it is absorbent enough to keep your plant happy. Macrame cord works great (available from Spotlight, hobby stores and online).

Size

Total size measures 11.5cm tall x 10cms wide. Inner pot measures 10cms wide x 6.5cms tall. Outer pot holds up to 700mls of water (but you normally fill it only to just below the inner pot). I love the taller height to keep delicate leaves off surfaces, like one of my African Violets (the one in the photos), who's determined to grow in the shape of a ball with leaves in all directions, which were getting damaged in a normal pot). 

Benefits of wick watering

Self watering pots save time and stress. The clear outer pot makes it easy to check the water level at a glance. They keep plants at the right moisture level for 2 to 4 times longer than manual watering. Very popular for African Violets and a long list of other houseplants, plus any plant who hates drying out. No more panic-stations when you realise you entirely forgot to water and your plant's suddenly on death's door. No over-watering either (with the right substrate). 

What substrate to use

Use with a soil-based houseplant mix, bark-based aroid mix, fern fibre, leca, starter mix... any substrate that fits and matches your plant's needs. Best with a free-draining mix that provides a balance of absorption for moisture, and drainage for oxygen. 

How do you use a self watering pot?

Loop the wick (supplied), through the hole in the bottom of the inner pot so about half the wick is in the pot, and half out. Pop your substrate and plant inside the inner pot. Add water to the bottom of the outer pot, until it's about 2cms below the bottom of the inner pot. Then pop your inner pot inside, double-checking the wick is in the water. Job done! I highly recommend adding a little hydro-friendly fertiliser like GT Foliage Focus or Plant Runner.

How high should the water level be?

You want the water level in the outer pot to be slightly below the bottom of the inner pot, so the substrate and roots don't get 'wet feet' (the inner pot should never sit 'in' water). Maintain the water level about 2cms below the bottom of the inner pot.

How does wick watering work?

As the substrate dries it absorbs water from the reservoir below, through the wick. Wick watering is a bit like a straw, giving your plant sips of water on-demand when they're dry. For a plant that might normally dry out in less than a week, these pots give you 2 to 4 weeks watering instead. There's no exact amount of time though, as the plant, substrate, conditions and time of year all factor in to how fast a plant uses up the water in the reservoir.