HydroCare Houseplants - The Ultimate In Easy Care Indoor Plants
HydroCare For Fuss Free Foliage
HydroCare is a method of growing plants in a hydroponic setting without using soil, where the plant is rooted in clay pebbles instead.
These plants are the choice of professional interior designers, and have several benefits vs regular plants, including less pests and fungi, easier watering routine and healthier, longer lasting plants. Our potting guide gives you a step by step guide on how to assemble HydroCare plants into a new decorative pot.
When you buy a HydroCare plant, you need a few other bits and pieces to assemble the plant in your chosen planter or plant pot. Think of getting a HydroCare plant as a solution that needs to be assembled rather than just a plant.We have a simple step by step video guide to assembling the HydroCare plant in a plant pot but essentially you need 5 things for hydro heaven:
1. The HydroCare plant in its hydroculture grow pot.
2. A water meter to slot into the side of the hydroculture grow pot.
3. A waterproof plastic liner for your decorative pot. Each HydroCare plant has an associated hydro kit that includes a waterproof liner to fit the hydroculture grow pot of the plant and a size tip to help you choose a decorative pot that will accommodate the specified waterproof pot liner for the plant.
4. Extra hydrogranules to fill around the grow pot and make a nice finish on top.
5. Hydroculture plant food, specifically formulated for use with hydrogranules.
Stress Free Steps For Assembling HydroCare Plants
Prepare your new decorative pot:
First put the liner in the pot, so it sits flush to the bottom of the pot (you might have to trim the liner if it is taller than the pot). If you have a tall vase or pot, you can create a false bottom by adding dry hydrogranules or polystyrene first, to reach the desired height. The liner will then sit flush to this instead.
Insert the water meter and plant:
The water meter will insert, from below, into the hole on the side of the plastic grow pot that your plant is in. This plastic grow pot then sits inside the liner that you have already put in your decorative pot. The water meter needs to sit flush to the bottom of the liner.
Add hydrogranules:
Now add hydrogranules around the sides of the plastic grow pot that your plant is in – remember the water meter needs to stay flush to the base of the liner. Once the plant is secure, fill the rest of the liner until the granules are at the same height as the pot that you plant is in (you shouldn’t be able to see the plastic grow pot).
Time for food and water:
Before watering your new hydro plant, mix the required amount of formulex nutrient solution into the right volume of water (your plant will need feeding every two months). Looking at the top of the water level indicator, there is a red numbered dial. Turn this to the current month number as you are about to feed it (e.g. if it is February, you will turn it to number 2, and not need to feed it until it is April - you will then turn the dial to number 4). Pour the water at the centre of the plant base, until the water level meter reads optimal. No need to water again until the dial sits at minimum for 2-3 days.
Horty Hints
Pot too tall?
Raise the base of the planter by adding dry hydrogranules before sitting the liner and plant on top.
Over or underwatered?
Keep the base of the grow pot/water meter flush to the bottom of the liner, to get accurate water level readings.
Forgot when you fed?
The red water meter cap twists round at 2 monthly intervals to remind you when you last added nutrients to the water.
Hole in your pot?
If there is a drainage hole in your decorative pot, cover over first before inserting the liner or building up the base with hydrogranules.
Liner too tall?
Simply trim down the top of the liner to the desired height.