I only use self watering pots for plants that don't like to dry out. In fact, the only way I have been able to get ferns to survive is to have them in self watering pots. Currently, I have a maidenhair fern and an alocasia polly plant in self watering pots and they are doing great. Make sure you get self watering pots that have a reservoir and wick; I find that these keep the soil more consistently moist. Absolutely do not put succulents or cactus in self-watering pots.