---
title: "How do we feel about “self-watering” pots? The kind with the rope at…"
description: "How do we feel about “self-watering” pots? The kind with the rope at the bottom. Are they good, or just a gimmick? Does it just depend on the plant? Asking for…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/j8XqM2KtupoMsf30W10mBw"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Altheo"
published: "2026-09-07T14:08:33.875375Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/icP72fT2bvRnG-Nfe2hVRpYTUyVro6Ve8pyh7foGYww/_3f3rZ8pTGScoDsSbjp5NQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# How do we feel about “self-watering” pots? The kind with the rope at…

_Posted by Altheo on 2026-09-07_

How do we feel about “self-watering” pots? The kind with the rope at the bottom. Are they good, or just a gimmick? Does it just depend on the plant? Asking for a friend so share your thoughts and experiences! 🤭

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/icP72fT2bvRnG-Nfe2hVRpYTUyVro6Ve8pyh7foGYww/_3f3rZ8pTGScoDsSbjp5NQ.webp?size=large)

## 12 comments

### Herb commented on 2026-09-07

I had a few self watering pots but I didn’t like them. Hard to tell when to water or not and easy to overwater and get root rot. So. Not a fan

### JD commented on 2026-09-07

The ones with a clear bottom make watering frequency obvious… but they get algae since light hits the water.

### Ves commented on 2026-09-07

I’m not a fan

### Aimee loves plants commented on 2026-09-07

I bought one and fungus gnats loved it. I could not get rid of them. Then discovered they were reproducing between the pots. There were all these larvae in there. It was so disgusting. I will probably never use one again to avoid that.

### Kay commented on 2026-09-07

I personally don't like them so I've taken the bottom bit off and just started using it as a normal pot

### Chey Guy commented on 2026-09-07

I just got an Alocasia in one, I usually take them out when I buy them but I’m letting this one acclimate a bit first. The rope will grow mold and introduce rot, plus once the mold is in the rope you cannot get it back out. Overall not a fan. If I get a self watering pot it will most likely be the naked root planters or a similar style product that can be completely and thoroughly cleaned when needed.

### K. Shon commented on 2026-09-07

Snake plant Mom here: they sounded convenient BUT for a plant doesn’t need water often the ropes were constantly watering them.

I still use the pots just not the ropes. Hope this helps ☺️

### Karzdan commented on 2026-09-07

I guess I'll be the lone dissenter here. In short, it depends on the plant. I have been using the cord (purchased separately) on some of my plants that hate it when the soil drys out even a little and it works great. No gnats, happy plants with good growth. I'd never use it on something like a cactus, zz, snake, etc. Those need the soil to fully dry out between waterings. I also don't use it on the ones who tolerate it when the soil does dry out.

### John G Amero commented on 2026-09-07

Personal experience, I’m not a fan of them.

### Green thumb novice commented on 2026-09-07

I am not either.

[More comments](https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/j8XqM2KtupoMsf30W10mBw.md?cursor=GCxyrN0j0xhQb3N0cy5HZXRBbGwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADha-Tq4gviGA)

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