How to Remove Water from Plant Saucer
Plant saucers are essential for houseplants as they hold excess water that drains from pots, preventing it from destroying furniture, floors, and carpets. However, standing water in the saucers for too long can cause problems such as root rot, mold, and attract pests. Therefore, it's essential to remove excess water from plant saucers, and this article will show you how.
Step 1: Check Your Plants
Before removing any water from the plant saucer, check your plants first. Not all plants need consistent watering, and some of them do better in well-draining soil, so their saucers should always be empty. Others, however, prefer moist soil, so keeping water in their saucers is necessary. Therefore, understand the watering needs of all your plants before attempting to remove water from the saucers.
Step 2: Use a Watering Can
One of the easiest ways to remove water from plant saucers is by using a watering can. Watering cans have a handle and spout, making them ideal for targeted water removal. To use them, identify which pots have excess water in their saucers, take the watering can and pour the water out into the sink or outside, then return the pot and saucer to their position. Do this until all pots with excess water have been drained.
Step 3: Use Cloth or Sponge
If you want to remove all the water from the saucers without disturbing the pots on them, use a cloth or sponge to absorb the water. The cloth or the sponge will soak up the water without damaging the saucer or the pot, and you won't have to move the pots to do it. To use them, place the cloth or sponge on the surface of the saucer and press down gently. Keep the pressure until it's absorbed as much water as possible, then repeat the process until all the water is removed.
Step 4: Tilt the Saucers
If you have multiple saucers in one area, tilt them to pour excess water into a single saucer, which you can then empty at once. This is especially useful when you have limited space and many pots that need watering. To do this, hold the saucer on its rims and tilt it towards another saucer, making sure that it's stable and does not cause the pot to tip over. Repeat the process with the other saucers until all excess water is in one location.
Step 5: Invest in Elevated Plant Stands
If you're tired of dealing with excess water in plant saucers altogether, invest in elevated plant stands that have drainage trays. These stands have a base that raises the pot off the saucer and a detachable tray at the bottom that collects excess water. This allows you to water your plants without worrying about standing water in the saucers, making plant care easier and more convenient.
Conclusion
In conclusion, removing excess water from plant saucers is essential to maintain the health of your plants and the cleanliness of your living space. Using a watering can, cloth or sponge, tilting saucers, or investing in elevated plant stands are all effective ways to remove standing water from plant saucers. Whichever method you choose, remember to follow it consistently and monitor the watering needs of your plants to prevent over-watering or under-watering.