Wick and Grow self-watering pots take the worry out of watering houseplants. Wick and Grow pots come in a 4-inch, a 6-inch, a 10-inch, and a Do It Yourself 4-inch pot.
Wick & Grow helps you water smarter. This self-watering system has been specially engineered to let your plants draw only as much as they need, so they’re never too wet or too dry. It’s perfect for you if you’re not sure how much/often to give your plants water, if you’re busy, or if you frequently travel.
To water your plant simply fill the reservoir in the base of the Wick and Grow pot to the top of the little window. Do not fill higher than the top of the little window. If the tank is overfilled the water level will touch the bottom of the pot with the plant in it and the soil will soak up the water rather than allowing the wick to do the work.
Each of the Wick and Grow pots is a little different. Here is a breakdown of how each works:
How the 6-inch Wick and Grow Works:
- To fill the reservoir remove the grower pot from the decorative pot. Fill the reservoir space up to the top of the little window. Do not fill past that point because you do not want the water in the reservoir to touch the base of the pot with the plant inside. If the water level touches the bottom of the grower pot the soil will absorb the water rather than allowing the wick to do the work. This will cause problems for the plant.
- A specially designed blue-and-white wick strung over a white plastic spike is inserted through a drainage hole in the base of the pot and into the soil. The ends of the wick hang down into the water reservoir.
Wick and Stem for 6-inch pot
How the wick should look hanging from base of pot with the 6-inch pot.
- As your plant grows, it pulls moisture through the wick and into the soil. This ensures your plant is never over- or underwatered.
For The 6-inch Wick & Grow pot to work properly:
- Make sure your plant is only watered using the wick --- by filling the tank. If you water from the top and have the wick in the reservoir filled with water, your plant will get too much water and may suffer rot issues.
- Always check to see that the wick is in water when the two pots are put together. If the reservoir gets too low and the wick dries out, it can’t supply water to your plant and your plant may dry out. Watch the little window and refill the reservoir as it empties.
- When filling the tank ensure that the water level of the reservoir never touches the bottom of the grower pot. If the grower pot is touching the water, the soil will be saturated, and your plant may rot.
- You can use liquid fertilizer in the reservoir if you wish to fertilize your plant; the fertilizer will be pulled up the wick into the soil with the moisture.
How the 4-inch Wick and Grow Works:
- To fill the reservoir remove the grower pot from the decorative pot. Fill the reservoir space up to the top of the little window. Do not fill past that point because you do not want the water in the reservoir to touch the base of the pot with the plant inside. If the water level touches the bottom of the grower pot the soil will absorb the water rather than allowing the wick to do the work. This will cause problems for the plant.
For The 4-inch Wick & Grow pot to work properly:
- Make sure your plant is only watered using the wick --- by filling the tank. If you water from the top and have the wick in the reservoir filled with water, your plant will get too much water and may suffer rot issues.
- Always check to see that the wick is in water when the two pots are put together. If the reservoir gets too low and the wick dries out, it can’t supply water to your plant and your plant may dry out. Watch the little window and refill the reservoir as it empties.
When filling the tank ensure that the water level of the reservoir never touches the bottom of the grower pot. If the grower pot is touching the water, the soil will be saturated, and your plant may rot. - You can use liquid fertilizer in the reservoir if you wish to fertilize your plant; the fertilizer will be pulled up the wick into the soil with the moisture.
How the 10-inch Wick and Grow Pot Works:
10-inch Wick and Grow pot with water level window
- Because of the larger size of the pot/plant here the wick is built into this version of the Wick and Grow pot. You do not remove the grower pot from the Wick and Grow to fill then tank. Rather, just add water to the soil and allow it to percolate down to fill the reservoir. The reservoir will hold up to 4 cups. If you accidentally add too much water---meaning past the top of the little window, there’s a blue rubber plug on the pot on the opposite side of the pot. Simply pull open the plug and excess water will drain out.
Window and plug on the 10-inch Wick and Grow pot
Tips for success:
- Pots have a transparent window that shows the water level in the reservoir so you know when to refill. Never overfill the reservoir; if the water level goes higher than the top of the window, your plant may sit in water and experience root rot. If you overfill simply pull the small plug out and allow any excess to drain.
For The 10-inch Wick & Grow pot to work properly:
- A specially designed blue-and-white wick is strung over a plastic spike built into the base of the Wick and Grow pot. The grower pot with the plant inside is placed into the Wick and Grow pot and the spike pushes up through a drainage hole in the base of the pot and into the soil. The ends of the wick hang down into the water reservoir. The plant uses the wick to draw water from the tank and into the soil.
This is the wick spike in the base of the Wick and Grow pot.
- It is not a good idea to remove the grower pot from the Wick and Grow pot with this size. Because the wick/spike poke into the soil in the way they do taking the grower pot in and out of the Wick and Grow pot may cause root damage.
The Wick is Also Used in 4-inch Exotic Angel Pots
Exotic Angel Plants sold at Lowe's Come With a Wick.
- If you bought an Exotic Angel plant and discovered a wick hanging out of the bottom of the pot this can be used with a special pot made for these plants sold only in Lowe's stores or you can make your own:
- Plants are sold in the grower pot with the wick preinstalled. You need to supply a pot with a reservoir. Suspend your plant over a vase, dish, or anything that holds water. Your only job as far as watering goes is to keep the tank filled. Make sure you never overfill the tank so the water is touching the bottom of the grower pot because the soil will soak up the water.
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