Homemade Wick Watering System for Potted Plants

Potted plants need regular watering to survive.

Vacation time requires planning for plants as well as pets. If you plan on being away for more than a week, many pot-bound houseplants need water during that time to stay alive. Outside plants in containers last for an even shorter time in the direct sun and heat of summer. Making a wick-watering system for your potted plants ensures that plants have a steady supply of water until you return home.

Capillary Action Defined

Capillary action is how water rises in a wick. As the water adheres to the wick's fibers, surface tension pulls the liquid upward. The soil also acts as a wick in the same way by pulling the water upwards to the roots of the plant. As the plant pulls water from the soil up into the stem and leaves, the wick pulls more water up from the reservoir.

Wicking Material

Any wicking material that holds water, such as a cotton shoelace, a candlewick or cotton laundry line, pulls water to the plant roots. The wick size matters since you want the amount of water flowing through the wick to be a suitable amount for the size plant you have. Craft supply stores sell different sizes of wicking material. Try out the wick while you are at home to make sure it works before you leave.

Setup

Set up your watering system by placing the plant over a container of water. The plant's pot's bottom should be close to the water surface without touching it. Use a container. Such as a sink, bathtub or bucket, to hold the water. Poke the wick up into the roots of the potted plant through the drainage hole. Wet the wick thoroughly and drop one end into the water. As the plant uses water, more flows up the wick, keeping the soil damp.

Amount of Water

Keep in mind that larger plants usually use more water than smaller plants. Keep the amount of water at least as much as the soil in the pot but preferably more. You don't want to take the chance of running out of water a few days before you get home to take over the watering. If there is extra water, the wick only pulls up as much as the plant needs to stay moist.

References

• Gerogia State University: Capillary Action
• Colorado State University; Guidelines for Watering Indoor Plants; Sheri Hunter; January 2010