If you have a green thumb or just enjoy keeping plants in your home, you know that proper watering is crucial for the health and growth of your plants.
The handy tool that can help you with this task is watering bulbs, also known as watering globes.
Watering Bulbs and Watering Globes
Watering bulbs, also known as self-watering bulbs, watering globes, or aqua bulbs, are glass or plastic bulbs that you fill with water and then insert into the soil of your plant.
The water is gradually released into the soil as the plant needs it, helping to keep the soil consistently moist.
This can be especially helpful if you have a tendency to forget to water your outdoor plants or if you are going to be away for a few days.
Some watering globes also have a long, thin neck that you also fill with water.
Both watering bulbs and watering globes can be useful tools for keeping your plants watered, but they are not a substitute for regular watering.
It is a good idea to check the soil moisture level and water your plants as needed, especially during hot or dry spells. It’s the best way to avoid opening the door to dead plants.
For more details on how watering bulbs and globes work, scroll to the bottom of this post.
Benefits of Using Water Bulbs for Indoor Plants
There are several benefits to using watering bulbs and watering globes.
1. Convenience
Watering bulbs make it easy to ensure that your plants are getting enough water, even if you are busy or forgetful. You can fill up the bulbs and insert their long thin necks into the soil, and it will slowly release water as needed. Vacation or business trip? No problem!
2. Consistency
Watering bulbs can help to keep the soil consistently moist, which can be beneficial for many plants. Overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering, so using a watering bulb can help you strike the right balance.
3. Plant health
By keeping the soil consistently moist, watering bulbs can help to promote healthy plant growth. Dry soil can cause plants to wilt or become stressed, which can affect their overall health. This is also the perfect solution if you use too much water when you use water cans.
4. Time savings
Using a watering bulb can save you time, as you don’t have to remember to water your plants as frequently. This can be especially helpful if you have a lot of plants or if you are going to be away from home for a few days.
5. Cost-effectiveness
Watering bulbs are a relatively inexpensive way to ensure that your indoor potted plants are getting the water they need. They can be especially cost-effective if you have a lot of plants, as it can be time-consuming and expensive to water them all manually.
Best Water Bulbs for Indoor Plants
I’m going to make this easy and give you just a few options to say goodbye to those plastic water bottles or whatever you use to water plants in your home, garden, or yard.
Some of the self-watering planters shared here are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase one.
4 Piece Plant Watering Globe Set
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT FOR $23.
Wyndham House’s 4-piece Watering Globe Set is a remarkably simple and beautifully decorative way to make sure flowers and plants stay sufficiently hydrated all throughout the year.
Featuring four strikingly colorful individually-crafted hand-blown glass globes, the vibrant watering globes measure 12” long with a 3”-bulb diameter. They ship in plenty of sturdy Styrofoam.
The innovative plant pals help you maintain the natural ambiance inside and outside of your home.
Wyndham House designs gorgeous gardening tools, like these aqua globes, and useful greenhouse accessories that are affordable and help you create and maintain the garden of your dreams.
6 Piece Clear Plant Watering Bulbs
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT FOR $12.
This package includes six plant watering bulbs, white in color, and in two different sizes that can meet your daily use with three large and three small.
The large self-watering globes are 27x8cm/10.6×3.2 inches. The small ones are 13.5x5cm/5.3×2 inches.
The white plant watering system is made of high-quality PVC materials, is durable, and does not break easily. You can also see the water inside clearly.
The garden water device is non-toxic and eco-friendly. Just fill it with water and insert it into the soil directly. It’s perfect for small plants, large plants, potted plants, houseplants, hanging plants, patio plants, and indoor and outdoor gardens.
4 Piece Bird Plant Watering Globes with 12 Accessories
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT FOR $21.
How cute are these?!
This bird self-watering spike is specially designed for plants and is made of premium terracotta. After adding water, there will be some bubbles on the bird. This is due to the strong drainage.
Using its porous clay soil to automatically soak water or nutrient solution into the soil, slowly penetrating and moisturizing the roots through the tip, water can continue to percolate for 4–7 days after adding water, depending on soil moisture, to keep your plants healthy.
It includes vibrant yellow butterflies and exploding star forms so you can enjoy the different colors without waiting for the flowers to bloom!
2 Piece Hand Blown Clear Glass
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT FOR $24.
These might be my favorite. I love the variety of shapes to choose from.
Each automatic plant waterer can hold 140ml of water and can keep plants or flowers hydrated for up to 2-3 weeks. It’s great for watering plants while away or on vacation.
The bird-shaped clear glass plant watering bulbs let you see the water level and remind you when to add water.
The beautiful plant accessories watering tools can be used to water indoor/outdoor plants and also to decorate your garden.
This self-watering bulb is perfect for houseplants, potted plants, hanging plants, patio plants, and garden plants.
4 Piece Mushroom Design Self-Watering Spikes
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT FOR $33.
The colorful mushroom design glass watering bulbs are unique and painted to add a more artistic look to your garden while watering the plants.
These measure 12” long with 4.2” wide. The large size of watering bulbs makes them easy to use and do not need to water the plant often.
We recommend using them for regular watering, refilling every 4-7 days depending on your adjustment
You just fill them with water, flip and press them into the soil.
The watering bulbs will keep plants healthy by releasing the perfect amount of water needed into the soil automatically and slowly.
For these in a clear glass globe style, click here.
To clean moist soil from small globes or small holes, just use a narrow pipe cleaner. I hope now you can swap out your empty plastic bottles or empty wine bottles for some of the different methods mentioned here.
Going Deeper on How Watering Bulbs Work
By now you know that water bulbs, also known as water-filled plant bulbs or aqua globes, are clever devices designed to provide a self-watering system for houseplants.
These innovative bulbs offer a convenient solution for plant enthusiasts who may struggle with regular watering or worry about plants drying out while they’re away.
The Basics of Water Bulbs
Water bulbs consist of a glass or plastic bulb-shaped reservoir and a long, narrow neck. The bulb is filled with water and inserted into the soil of a potted plant. As the soil dries out, water is slowly released from the bulb, ensuring a continuous supply of moisture to the plant’s roots.
Gravity and Capillary Action
The functioning of water bulbs relies on two key principles: gravity and capillary action. Gravity pulls the water downward, while capillary action allows the water to move against gravity through narrow passages, such as the neck of the water bulb.
Insertion into the Soil
To use a water bulb, partially fill it with water, leaving enough air space at the top for expansion. Gently insert the neck of the bulb into the soil, ensuring it reaches the root zone. The soil will absorb the water from the bulb through capillary action.
Water Regulation
Water bulbs are designed to release water gradually, preventing overwatering or drowning of the plant roots. As the soil dries out, air is drawn into the bulb through the neck, equalizing the pressure and slowing down the water flow. When the soil becomes moist again, the flow of water stops until the soil dries out further.
Plant Needs and Adjustments
The effectiveness of water bulbs may vary depending on factors such as plant species, pot size, environmental conditions, and the bulb’s capacity. It’s important to consider the specific watering needs of your plants and make adjustments accordingly.
Some plants may require more or less water than others, so monitor the soil moisture and observe your plants’ responses to ensure they receive the appropriate amount of water.
Benefits and Considerations
Water bulbs offer several benefits, including:
a. Convenience
Water bulbs reduce the frequency of manual watering, making plant care more manageable, especially for individuals with busy lifestyles or those who travel frequently.
b. Consistent Moisture
By providing a steady supply of moisture, water bulbs help maintain consistent soil moisture levels, preventing both underwatering and overwatering.
c. Plant Health
Proper watering is essential for the health and vitality of plants. Water bulbs can contribute to healthier plants by reducing the risk of drought stress and promoting more robust root development.
However, it’s important to note that water bulbs may not be suitable for all plant species or environments. Plants that require specific watering techniques or have specialized needs may not benefit from water bulbs.
Additionally, the effectiveness of water bulbs can vary based on factors such as temperature, humidity, and the size of the water bulb in relation to the plant’s water requirements.
What are the best watering globes you use for your thirsty plants? If you know plant owners who are also busy people with all types of plants – let me know! I’m on social media at @ChristinaAllDay.
