---
title: "Hi Plant Fam. I have a few plants that are in self watering pots…"
description: "Hi Plant Fam. I have a few plants that are in self watering pots using a wick. Every now and then I notice the soil towards the top dries out. The reservoirs…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/kZaTpbxHimAOS531QhYEmw"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Plant Dad"
published: "2025-09-13T14:21:53.670799Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/everythingHousePlants.jpg"
---

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# Hi Plant Fam. I have a few plants that are in self watering pots…

_Posted by Plant Dad on 2025-09-13_

Hi Plant Fam. I have a few plants that are in self watering pots using a wick. Every now and then I notice the soil towards the top dries out. The reservoirs don't dry out. What would make the water randomly stop wicking; or at least from what I can see, stop the top from drying out all of a sudden? Thanks for any tips or suggestions.

## 4 comments

### Yolanda commented on 2025-09-13

It’s not the fact it’s not wicking anymore sometimes the soil gets compacted and needs air ration. I take a chopstick or something and move the soil around and release it from the sides of the pot. I have mixed the soil around and then the self watering system is free to flow correct again. If it’s in the same soil it may be beneficial to even repot in a soil with better drainage so it will not get compacted

#### Plant Dad replied on 2025-09-13

I never thought of that and that makes sense for some of my other plants. This is a new soil mix I made with chunkier perlite and also recently repotted. I will say, though, we have been getting some very warm weather these past couple of weeks; Not sure if that would dry it out that much though? As for my other plants that are also in soil using wicks, I will absolutely try that out. I'm not exactly gonna go crazy but any suggestions so I don't damage any roots?

### Yolanda commented on 2025-09-14

Just mainly loosen the soil all the way around the pot first and fluff just a little in the middle. I try my best to not go down too far in the middle where the root ball is! Good luck

#### Plant Dad replied on 2025-09-14

That makes sense. Thank you again

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