---
title: "For self watering pots, I see a variety of media used in a plants…"
description: "For self watering pots, I see a variety of media used in a plants pot. What medium do you think is best for a self wedding pot… leca, pon, pearlite, or what?…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/1JPSMZWiHLAm5K5I18n7sr?language=nl"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Lynda"
published: "2025-02-10T06:56:19.503535Z"
language: "en"
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---

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# For self watering pots, I see a variety of media used in a plants…

_Geplaatst door Lynda op 2025-02-10_

For self watering pots, I see a variety of media used in a plants pot. What medium do you think is best for a self wedding pot… leca, pon, pearlite, or what? Any info regarding self watering pots would be greatly appreciated… TIA!

## 6 reacties

### KJM reageerde op 2025-02-10

I have never used a self-watering pot so I cannot speak from experience but I would think you would choose your soil based on the plants needs not the type of pot. That being said I would think that the looser soils would not have the upward capillary action of denser soils. Again I have no experience with these pots so keep that in mind.

### Mads reageerde op 2025-02-10

I use soil in self-watering pots. Soil mix depends on the plant. Most of my self-watered are this type - ceramic outer pot with untreated clay inner pot. This is my Homalomena for an example. He’s a thirsty one and loves this setup. I also have a pingulica, African violet, fern, and cyclamen in this type of pot.

![Bijlage 1 van 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/F3A6oDxB5AFrwMY-8AmGdM9PkD4LkZ4epCTa5XS85C4/UajHhK0SRNmM8V7KNxYCPA.webp?size=large)

#### Lynda antwoordde op 2025-02-10

TXS for your post… Your Homalomena is a gorgeous plant; I’ve never even heard of it before! Can you use the self watering pots you’re talking about with all tropical plants? When you’re using this kind of set up, does the inner clay pot have a plug in it, so the plant will suck moisture through the clay pot itself, or does it suck moisture  
primarily through the unplugged hole in the bottom of the clay pot?  
TIA!

#### Mads antwoordde op 2025-02-10

I’d only recommend this type of pot for plants that like consistent moisture (like calatheas, maybe anthurims?). With this type, the water is absorbed through the walls of the inner pot. There is no drainage hole in it.

#### Lynda antwoordde op 2025-02-10

TXS for your post! I do have both Caltheas and Anthuriums, so I may give this a try on one of my small Calatheas for the first time. Can you tell me where you found this type of clay pot without a hole in it? TIA!  
PS. Do you have to give additional water to the top of the soil of your plant, or are its water needs met just by getting it through the clay pot… like osmosis? TIA!

### K reageerde op 2025-02-10

It’s gonna depend on the type of self watering pot. Some are labeled self watering but kind of aren’t unless you add your own wick. If you mean the type with a net pot inside a cache pot and you want to keep a reservoir then semi hydro all the way. Most plants can do well this way but in my book it’s a must for the ones that are very finicky about watering like calathea and alocasia. A lot of begonia do well too.

I use leca and perlite. Generally speaking, the finer the plant roots the higher the proportion of perlite. I put it in in alternating layers usually. Got the idea from Pretty in Green and it works so well.

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