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Posted 3Y ago by @AlivePhysicnut

Does this work or am I slow?

Hello! I am very new to plants and cannot keep them alive for the life of me. I currently have my plants in a compostable pot, can I use that pot to let my plants self water since it absorbs water? Or do I need to fully water them myself? #selfwateringpots #biodegradablepots #help
Fernie Saunders
Fernie Saunders
Trailing Jade
0ft to light, direct
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
Best Answer
@Vjunc
Valeri
10920 XP
3Y ago
@Vjunc
Hey Emma! Welcome to Greg 🌱💚 It will be ok in the pot until it’s ready to move up in size (I would do a terracotta pot for your next one, target has a really cute one for $3 at the moment if you want to do it now) as for watering I would only water when they are bone dry - jades store water in the leafs and stems, it’ll tell you it’s thirsty by showing you “wrinkly” leaves (with that size I would assume 3 weeks but it all depends on the environment and how much sun it gets) Soak the plant in water and then let dry out again!
@PiquantEmerald
Marie
2040 XP
3Y ago
@PiquantEmerald
I don’t see why both wouldn’t work. If the pot is permeable then the water should reach the plant inside it.
@LauraLynne
Laura
24047 XP
3Y ago
@LauraLynne
Hi Emma! Some plants that like to be in humid climates will do ok in self-watering pots (think jungle- philos, calatheas). However, plants that like to really dry out between waterings (like jades) will have trouble doing that in a pot that retains that much moisture.
@KillerTofu
Tiffany
4379 XP
3Y ago
@KillerTofu
Jade is a succulent. You'd be better off with a pot with a drainage hole. Preferably a classic terracotta pot. You don't want to hold moisture around a succulent. Plus these compostable pots break apart after a while. They're not perminant pots
@KillerTofu
Tiffany
4379 XP
3Y ago
@KillerTofu
Ah, to answer the rest of your question: once you change the pot, water thoroughly after letting the soil dry completely (for succulents) in between. Usually about a week or two between watering. Once a week in the spring and summer. When you water, you want to saturate the soil til water runs out of the drainage hole(s)
@Vjunc
Valeri
10920 XP
3Y ago
@Vjunc
And your not slow! Girl it’s a learning curve for even the best plant parents, we’re taking plants from tropical and dessert areas and “raising” them at our homes in some not so friendly environments 😂 imagine living in Florida and moving to Montana.

Also great tips for your Jade if you ever over water, grab a pencil or chopstick and gently jab holes in the soil to let air flow in to help the soil dry sooner!