A Detailed Guide to Growing Pothos with Self-Watering Systems

SummarySelf-watering pothos mainly refers to growing pothos in self-absorbing pots, which can be done either hydroponically or in soil. It works on a large-pot-over-small-pot design, using a cotton wick to connect to a water source, thereby creating a water-supply system. This growing method saves time and effort and waters more thoroughly, but the water supply needs to be cut off for 2-3 days each week, because the roots can only breathe when the potting soil goes through wet-dry cycles. Continuous water supply will lead to root rot.

I. How to Grow Self-Watering Pothos

1. Self-absorbing pots can also be called "lazy-person pots." They were previously mostly used for hydroponic plants, but now soil-grown plants can use them too. They work on a large-pot-over-small-pot design, and then use a cotton wick to connect to a water source, thereby creating a water-supply system.

2. Growing pothos in a self-absorbing pot, like watering in soil culture, allows the water supply to be cut off. A self-absorbing pot will keep supplying water as long as there is water in the pot, regardless of whether the plant needs water. No matter what plant it is, prolonged waterlogging will cause root rot; the roots can only breathe when the potting soil goes through wet-dry cycles.

3. The principle of the self-absorbing pot: this kind of pot generally uses a double-layer structure, with the planting area on top and the water storage area below. It supplies water upward through soft absorbent fibers. The water absorption is relatively small, but it can keep the potting soil moist for a long time.

II. Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Absorbing Pots

1. Advantages: this watering method lets the plant absorb enough water within the maximum range, saves time and effort, and waters more thoroughly.

2. Disadvantages: a self-absorbing pot will keep providing water as long as there is water in the pot, which keeps the potting soil constantly moist, so the roots cannot breathe and root rot easily occurs. It can also cause pathogens to develop in the potting soil, leading to mildew.

III. Adverse Reactions of Growing Pothos Long-Term in Self-Absorbing Pots

Growing pothos long-term in a self-absorbing pot will produce three kinds of adverse reactions.

The first kind: relatively mild, the water in the pot will turn yellow. The solution: first remove the self-absorbing outer shell, then switch to a top-down watering method, open up the drainage channels in the potting soil, and finally carry out sterilization. You can use carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl, dilute with water in a certain ratio and water it on, and stop applying the medicine once clear water flows out of the pot.

The second kind: fungal plants will grow in the potting soil. The solution: first remove the self-absorbing water function, then solve it with the method of soaking the pot in a medicinal bath. Choose carbendazim, mix it evenly with water, appropriately increase the dosage in a certain ratio, and soak the potted pothos in the mixed medicinal water for thorough sterilization and disinfection.

Generally, soaking for 30-120 minutes is best. After soaking, water in an appropriate amount of clear water. At intervals, some fungicidal medicine can be applied. If the condition is relatively serious, the medicinal bath can be done 2-3 times, until the pothos returns to normal.

The third kind: the potting soil will mildew, causing a foul smell. This is basically very hard to remedy, and it is best to buy a new one.

IV. Precautions for Self-Absorbing Pots

1. Generally, self-absorbing pots are suitable for growing some water-loving and hydroponic plants, such as spider plant, pennywort, pothos, Monstera deliciosa, and so on.

2. To give the plant room to breathe, too much water should not be added to the pot.

3. Generally, roots can only breathe when the potting soil goes through wet-dry cycles, so the water supply can be cut off for about 2-3 days a week.