---
title: "I'm new to collecting succulents and cacti. Most are in terracotta…"
description: "I'm new to collecting succulents and cacti. Most are in terracotta planters. Can these still be bottom watered (I hate gnats)? Or because they aren't watered…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/HjOQJkKQxYI0K3krA0H2qX"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "jlsKenzy"
published: "2026-05-15T01:35:07.021711Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/theCactusAndSucculentCircle.jpg"
---

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# I'm new to collecting succulents and cacti. Most are in terracotta…

_Posted by jlsKenzy on 2026-05-15_

I'm new to collecting succulents and cacti. Most are in terracotta planters. Can these still be bottom watered (I hate gnats)? Or because they aren't watered frequently and the soil usually dries out - does it make a difference?

## 7 comments

### Phil commented on 2026-05-15

I have all these succulents and never had a gnat problem. I’m assuming it’s because of the dry soil.

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/okAuwNd9TByzX6x8BrMHVQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/NrsOf8_rQRO2LQhGNBuq9w.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/qgkW3cvASeWHH30TT0_szA.webp?size=large)

### GreenJess commented on 2026-05-15

I have never had gnats in my succulents. I've bottom watered and done full dunks in terracotta.

### Vee commented on 2026-05-15

Gnats realistically shouldn’t be a problem because the soil dries completely, depending on your light source, the terra cotta will dry the soil faster as well

#### Southwest sister replied on 2026-05-15

I live in Arizona and the Nats are still real even with succulents and I mostly have euphorbias just a little bit less

### jlsKenzy commented on 2026-05-15

Thanks for the reassurances! 🫶

### Southwest sister commented on 2026-05-15

You should just buy a bag of the mosquito bits and during the spring and summer just added it to your water every two weeks. It’s not a big deal and you won’t have the nets.

### Phil commented on 2026-05-15

As a newby to succulents, terracotta is the best choice. Probably about 50% of mine are in it. I also prefer the shallow planters for many of mine. But that also depends upon the plant.

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