The answer is simple: all plants! Whether ornamental flowers in balcony planters, houseplants brightening up your work-from-home space, or succulents, the ollas will adapt. That said, you can still optimise their use to get the best possible results.
Houseplants
For the most common houseplants like Monsteras, Pachiras or Pileas: no problem at all — these plants have standard watering needs. The main risk is drowning the roots and causing rot that could be fatal, by overwatering in one go. Since the water in our ollas to plant diffuses on average over 5 days into your plant's soil, you'll avoid overwatering. For optimal plant development, don't hesitate to clean the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust deposits and maximise photosynthesis. While you're at it, you can also water the surface with a little natural fertiliser for houseplants.
Cacti and succulents
Known for being easy to care for, they're often a gateway into the world of houseplants, especially for those convinced they don't have green fingers. But be careful — these plants still have specific needs! In their natural habitats, they live under very particular climatic conditions.
Their watering must not be neglected, as they need to build up reserves during certain periods to develop properly. Even more so than for other plants, watering too heavily in a substrate that doesn't drain well enough will disrupt this water storage process and can cause serious damage. Planting oyas are perfectly suited to gently regulating this process.
In winter, filling the olla once a month will be more than enough, allowing the substrate to dry out properly. For the rest of the year, once every 15 days (or once a week in very hot weather) will be necessary, provided again that the substrate is thoroughly dry.
Can I use fertiliser in my ollas?
We'd advise against it. In theory, if the fertiliser you use is completely water-soluble (it dissolves entirely in water), it could work. But the tight pores of the terracotta act as a filter for larger particles and could get blocked. And really, how often do you actually need to fertilise? Save it as your exception for surface watering.
