---
title: "Hello all: I'm brand new to the app and have a question about African…"
description: "Hello all: I'm brand new to the app and have a question about African violets and self watering pots like this. It has been in it for about a month and there…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/7qhEaWIgbKOfHnasz1cl1I"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Squain"
published: "2025-07-19T14:20:05.385983Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/everythingHousePlants.jpg"
---

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# Hello all: I'm brand new to the app and have a question about African…

_Posted by Squain on 2025-07-19_

Hello all: I'm brand new to the app and have a question about African violets and self watering pots like this. It has been in it for about a month and there has been little happening to it. Not sure if I should use the self watering function or not. If I do, then how often to fill and drain etc? Thanks!

## 9 comments

### Soup commented on 2025-07-19

Hiya, sorry could you send the picture here? Seems it didn’t get put in the post

#### Squain replied on 2025-07-19

Weird it didn't post!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QDEcjvSMrFEh4hMOevBBnS6HRJUB_F4gZEEs_uaFgpA/_EPDuZy8S5eMUKhd5XSJGQ.webp?size=large)

#### Soup replied on 2025-07-19

Ooo yeah I’d reckon taking it out, I don’t think these guys like sitting in water, also, when people use self watering pots they often use it with a specific substrate that’s very airy for aroids, as aroids have thick roots that need lots of oxygen

### Sharon commented on 2025-07-19

I am learning that African Violets are not like any other indoor plants. I recommend placing them in a small pot without a self-watering feature, as they don’t tolerate sitting in water for extended periods. They also thrive best in bright, indirect light.

### Squain commented on 2025-07-19

Weird it didn't post!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QDEcjvSMrFEh4hMOevBBnS6HRJUB_F4gZEEs_uaFgpA/tRIKAwoqR-iP2XN5wnkwGQ.webp?size=large)

### Squain commented on 2025-07-19

The parts where the leaves appear severed are from mistreatment in the self watering pot before we got it

### Ginger C commented on 2025-07-19

They don’t really like self water pots. I sit mine in a deep-ish dish with water in it and they sit there until the soil is damp to the touch. Their leaves DO NOT like for water to touch them. At all. I bottom water mine in that dish and then remove it and let the water drain and then set it back in the window.

### Waspinator commented on 2025-07-19

Mine has done great in a self watering pot (specifically one that is unglazed ceramic that nests in a pool of water in a matching ceramic.) That way the roots don't stay wet but the plant draws in moisture as it needs it. I refill it about once a week or once every other week; just whenever the water level is low. African violets don't grow very fast, but do appreciate repotting, so i plan to take mine out and refresh his soil soon

#### Squain replied on 2025-07-19

This is exactly the case with this pot. I'll keep it in there for now thanks!

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