Im a believer in self-watering pots in general. I mean, if I was a plant, Id want to grab water when I need it and not rely solely on my plant parent to notice me! Ummm, hellooo – over here!! I knew African violets would love helping themselves, but I wanted to make sure I tested it out – so I did a little experiment.
In this DIY African Violet Self-Watering Pot: The Secret to Thriving, Blooming Plants post, Im sharing why you may want to consider moving your beloved AVs into a new self-sufficient home. They seem to like their independence! Ill also share how to create your own self-watering planter that is not only a hassle-free solution but pretty enough to complement those sweet, colorful little star blooms.
*This post on DIY Self watering planters includes affiliate (paid) links, for more info on affiliate links visit here.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
African violets are one of the most popular flowering houseplants, prized for their colorful blooms and compact growth habit. But growing these delicate beauties can be tricky, especially when it comes to proper watering. Self-watering pots are a great solution to help ensure your African violets get just the right amount of moisture.
What are Self-Watering Pots?
Self-watering pots have a reservoir at the bottom that holds extra water. The soil draws moisture up from the reservoir through capillary action, helping to keep the soil evenly moist. This contrasts with standard pots where the soil can dry out quickly between waterings.
There are a few main styles of self-watering pots:
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Wick pots use nylon wicks that hang down into the water reservoir The wicks draw water up into the potting mix
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Reservoir pots rely solely on capillary action rather than wicks. The potting mix draws water from the reservoir below.
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Sub-irrigation pots have a raised inner pot that sits above a larger outer reservoir pot. The bottom and sides of the inner pot allow water to seep into the soil mix from below.
Benefits for African Violets
The controlled moisture provided by self-watering pots is ideal for African violets. Getting the right amount of water is critical for African violets – too much or too little leads to issues like root rot stunted growth and lack of blooms. Self-watering pots take out the guesswork.
Other benefits include
- Prevent underwatering and overwatering
- Provide steady moisture to encourage lush growth
- Allow you to go on vacation without worrying about watering
- Make it easy for beginners to grow African violets successfully
Choosing the Right Self-Watering Pot
There are self-watering pots designed specifically for African violets. Look for the following features:
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Small size – Standard African violet pots are 3-6 inches wide. Make sure to choose a self-watering pot sized for miniature plants.
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Shallow reservoir – African violets have small, delicate root systems that don’t need deep reservoirs. Look for self-watering pots with water reservoirs less than 1 inch deep.
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Raised inner pot – Sub-irrigation style pots work best, where the inner pot sits above the water reservoir. This prevents the roots from getting waterlogged.
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Porosity – Unglazed clay or plastic pots allow moisture to evaporate through the sides, increasing humidity for African violets.
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Good drainage – Be sure the pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape. A wicking pot with perlite added to the mix also improves drainage.
Popular options are sub-irrigation style ceramic pots like those from Violet Supply and Repotme. Plastic self-watering pots like the Oyama style are also suitable.
Using Self-Watering Pots for African Violets
Once you’ve chosen the right self-watering pot, follow these tips for success:
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Use an African violet soil mix like one containing peat moss and perlite. Standard potting mixes hold too much moisture.
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Fill the reservoir with just 1-2 inches of water. Refill when the reservoir empties. The soil should feel lightly moist, not soggy wet.
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For wick pots, use nylon wicks designed for African violets to prevent overwatering.
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Fertilize regularly but weakly using African violet fertilizer to promote blooms.
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Provide bright, indirect light. Southern or eastern windows are ideal.
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Maintain high humidity around 60% or more. Set pots on humidity trays filled with pebbles.
Troubleshooting Self-Watering Pots
Here are some common issues and how to address them:
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Soil stays too wet – Try a better draining soil mix. Allow more water to evaporate from the reservoir. Remove excess wicks.
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Soil dries out – Fill the reservoir more frequently. Make sure wicks reach down into the water. Use more wicks. Switch to a reservoir style pot.
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Mineral deposits – Add vinegar to the reservoir water to prevent mineral buildup. Change the water frequently.
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Algae growth – Don’t allow light to reach the reservoir. Change the water regularly. Add hydrogen peroxide to the water.
Enjoy Gorgeous African Violets!
When set up properly, self-watering pots take the hassle out of growing finicky African violets. The key is finding the right balance of moisture and drainage. With a little trial and error, these pots can help you grow thriving violets with generous blooms to enjoy for years to come.
About my African violet pot experiment
Alright, folks, I had a hunch that self-watering pots might be the secret to keeping African Violets happy and thriving. So, I decided to put it to the test!
I grabbed six of these purple and pink beauties from the same shop and planted three in a self-watering planter and three in a ceramic pot. Same soil mix, same South-facing window, same TLC – except for the watering part, of course. The self-watering crew? They just needed a reservoir refill once a week. The others? They got their weekly drink from me.
And boy, did the results speak for themselves! The African Violets in the self-watering planter are absolutely killing it – lush, green, and almost continuous blooming like theres no tomorrow. The ones in the regular planter? Not so much.
How self-watering pots and planters work
Self-watering pots and planters have a built-in reservoir that holds water and a wicking system that draws the water up into the soil. This system allows your African Violets to access water as needed, without relying on you to water them constantly. The consistent moisture provided by the self-watering mechanism promotes healthy growth and helps prevent over or under-watering. Its a convenient and effective way to keep your plants thriving, even if youre away for a short period or forget to water them on occasion. For a more detailed explanation of how self-watering pots work, check out my post on DIY self-watering planters, where I go into the specifics of the system.
TOP 5 African Violet Care Tips – How To Water, Lighting, Repotting, Fertilizer – Houseplant Care 101
FAQ
Can you overwater with self-watering pots?
Self-watering containers have an overflow hole, so you can’t overfill the reservoir, and thus you cannot overwater. The plant takes what it needs from the reservoir. How often you fill the reservoir varies–it depends on the size of the pot, the thirst of the plant, and the weather.
How to fertilize African violets in self-watering pots?
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Balanced fertilizers:Look for a fertilizer with a 20-20-20 or 15-20-15 NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) ratio, or one specifically formulated for African violets.
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Liquid fertilizers:These are generally easier to use in self-watering pots as they are more readily diluted.
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Specifically designed fertilizers:Some brands, like the one from the Houseplant Resource Center, are designed for consistent use with each watering, simplifying the process.
How often do you water a potted African violet?
How often to water your African Violet. African Violet needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0″ pot.