I bought a 'self-watering' terrarium kit and it drowned my whole setup

Saw this fancy kit online for $45 that promised to keep the moisture perfect for a whole month. I set it up with some baby tears and a small fern, following the instructions exactly. The little water reservoir at the bottom just kept soaking the soil, and after about ten days everything was moldy and the plants were mush. I mean, it basically just made a swamp. Has anyone actually had luck with these things, or should I just stick to my spray bottle?

2 comments

2 Comments

elliotl2418d ago

That reservoir needs a layer of gravel under the soil.

ninasanchez18d ago

Seen that exact mistake cause a washout. Gravel isn't just for looks, it's for drainage. Skip it and your whole setup turns into a muddy, clogged mess. It's the cheapest insurance you can buy for a project like that.