What Real Reviews Say About Shark Tank's CowPots (And If They're Right For You)

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There are plenty of potential mistakes to avoid when growing flowers from seed. From getting your timing right to picking the perfect seed-starting soil mix, there's a lot to consider. Choosing the right pot may seem simple until you see the many options available, including the pots made famous on "Shark Tank": CowPots. With a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, these pots are made from the byproducts of a dairy farm in Connecticut — a nice way of saying they are made out of manure — combined with recycled newspaper and cardboard. Not only are CowPots eco-friendly and biodegradable but also they come with their own built-in fertilizer. Are they too good to be true?

By all accounts, most people seem happy with these pots. One Amazon reviewer wrote, "I absolutely love CowPots for their green concept and their utility. Simply planting the whole pot instead of transplanting is convenient and avoids root shock." However, there are a few issues you may need to be aware of — such as the potential for mold and, ironically, the speed at which they will biodegrade, especially when wet. As another reviewer put it, "Con's get musty, maybe moldy???? and fall apart quickly." Still, the vast majority of reviewers are happy with their purchase and these pots are probably worth a try.

Right off the bat, it's important to note that reviewers on Amazon say there is no manure smell to speak of. Additionally, gardeners say the pots break down more readily than other biodegradable options, and allow the roots to easily penetrate the walls. Others are not as convinced, and suggest tearing the pots before putting them into the ground.

On the other hand, some less happy customers complain that the pots get moldy. "I also had several pots that became really moldy so they ended up being an expensive addition to the compost bin. I tend to overwater (working on it!) so if you're like me be aware that these pots may get moldy if you overwater," says a 3-star review. Because seeds need moist but not wet soil to germinate, one reviewer suggests starting seeds in plastic pots with a sterile potting soil or seed starting mix before transferring seedlings to CowPots. The good news is that another happy customer pointed out that the pots change from dark to light brown as they dry, making it easier to tell when they need watering.

CowPots seem to be a hit with most reviewers, however, there may be a couple of things to keep in mind. One 4-star review points out some plants might grow faster than these CowPots break down: "The only reason I can't give them 5 stars is because they don't biodegrade quite as quickly as I'd like them to, and I experienced root circling when starting fast-growing vegetables." Luckily, the solution is simple. If you're planning on growing any fast-growing plants in CowPots, breaking them up can help combat this problem. Still, it's worth being aware of. 

Another reviewer thinks that you may want to consider which plants you're using these pots for: "They are expensive, so I reserve them for things that hate to have their roots disturbed like eggplant and cilantro." Twelve of the 4-inch pots costs roughly $15 on Amazon. These pots come in a wide variety of sizes, from trays with 3-inch cells to 10 1/2-inch pots. Switching to biodegradable pots is a no-brainer, and CowPots can be a good option. You just need to choose the size wisely, be prepared to water carefully, and possibly break up the pot when it's time to plant.