1. Keep the string and platform inserted into the clear pot. Ensure the string hangs through one of the holes at the bottom of the clear pot, so it can reach the water and draw it into the soil.
2. Add your plant to the clear pot, on top of the platform, and fill gaps with soil as needed.
3. Pour water into the outer pot, until the indicator reaches the top of the opening (or until the water line is approximately ¼ inch (1 cm) above the vertical marking lines inside the planter). Place the clear pot into the outer pot. The string will gradually draw water up into the soil.
4. Refill when the indicator reads empty in 2-4 weeks. If your plant is very sensitive to water, wait 3-7 days before refilling to allow the soil to dry completely.
5. Enjoy a happy houseplant!
Important tips:
If the soil is completely dry when planting, pour a small amount of water directly onto the soil. This ensures the plant has water immediately, as it takes 24–48 hours for water to wick up from the reservoir.
When watering, remove the inner pot and add water directly to the outer pot's reservoir instead of pouring it onto the soil and letting it drain through. Adding water this way helps maintain a nice balance of water and air in the soil, so it doesn’t become waterlogged.
Using with Leca or Pon (semi-hydro)
1. Remove soil from plant roots.
When transitioning a plant from soil to a soil-free growing medium (like Leca or Pon), it's important to remove soil from plant roots to avoid root rot. If soil is left on the roots, it can retain excess moisture, creating a very damp environment. This can lead to root rot because the wet soil clinging to the roots stops them from getting air, depriving them of oxygen.
2. If using LECA, soak.
Before using Leca, rinse the pellets to remove any dust (unless you’re using pre-rinsed Leca). Then, soak them overnight to ensure they are fully saturated. If left dry, Leca can absorb water from the plant roots, causing damage.
3. Fill half of the clear pot with soil-free medium.
When planting into the clear pot, it's important to place the plant roots at the midpoint of the pot. This is because the inner pot will sit in water, with the water level about one-third of the way up the clear pot.
By positioning the bottom of the plant roots at the midpoint, you avoid root rot as the roots that were previously growing in soil are not submerged in water. These soil-adapted roots will die from lack of oxygen if submerged. Over time, the plant will grow water roots down into the water reservoir. These water roots are specialized to thrive in water, so they won't rot.
4. Fill the rest of the clear pot with soil-free medium around the plant roots.
5. Fill the outer pot with water and nutrients, up to the marking lines on the interior of the pot.
Fill the outer pot with water up to the top of the vertical fill lines inside. Be sure to mix in a hydroponic fertilizer, as the soil-free medium lacks the nutrients found in soil.
6. Place the clear pot into the outer pot. The water level indicator will read full.
Place the clear pot into the outer pot containing water and nutrients. The clear pot will sit in the water, about one-third of its height, allowing the soil-free medium to absorb water and wick it to the plant roots. Once the clear pot has been added, the water level indicator will read full, with the float rising to the top of the window.
7. Once the indicator reads empty in 2 - 4 weeks, refill.
Over time, the water in the reservoir will be used by the plant and lost through evaporation. The size of the plant, the amount of light it receives, and the humidity in the air can all affect how long the water reservoir lasts. The water reservoir typically lasts around 2 to 4 weeks before it needs refilling.
Once the indicator reads empty, there will still be a small amount of water remaining in the reservoir. This means you will have around a 2–5 day buffer before the plant runs out of water entirely.
It is also perfectly fine to top up the water and nutrients regularly instead of letting the reservoir get empty.
8. Periodically flush the soil-free growing medium.
Over time, the soil-free medium will accumulate excess salts and minerals from the water and fertilizers used. In Leca, this appears as white mineral buildup on the surface. These salts can harm plant roots by interfering with nutrient absorption.
To maintain a healthy growing environment for the roots, periodically flush the Leca to remove these excess salts. This can be done by running water through the Leca to wash away the buildup. We recommend doing this about once a month, though you might be able to extend the interval depending on your specific conditions.
9. Enjoy a happy houseplant!
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