Lets face it planters no matter what they are made of dry out in the hot sun! WilStone Planters are no exception, however they are the exception when it comes to rehydrating the dry soil in the planter. Through several tests and trials, WilStone has found that the placement of a drainage hole in the bottom of a planter is critical and even necessary to plant health, preventing water from pooling and drowing plants. However this placement of a drainage hole in the base of the planter also prevents soil from absorbing water when the conditions are hot and dry.

Have you ever watered a planter where the soil has dried out?

What happens? The water runs off the top of the soil, down the side of the pot and out of the drainage hole in the bottom, leaving your plants and soil alike thirsty. In the example to the left it shows the application of water to a dry potted plant (1). Due to the dryness fo the soil the water does not seep in, instead it runs to the side of the pot (2). Due to the dryness of the soil the water runs down the side of the pot (3). This is possible due to the retraction of the soil separating from the pot walls (have you ever noticed how easy it is to remove a dry plant from its container?) When the water reaches the bottom of the pot it flows to the drain hole in the bottom (4). And from there the water runs out the hole escaping the planter leaving your plant just as dry as if you never watered it (5). The repelling effect is due in part to the make up of potting soil. It is designed to retian as much water as possible, yet at the same time it repelles water if it gets too dry. To reintroduce water to a dry potted plant it needs to practically soaked in standing water until the soil regains its water retention properties. This is where the WilStone Water Saver System comes into play.

With this knowledge in mind, WilStone has developed a water retention/drainage system that prevents plant drowning, but assists in soil rehydration at the same time called the WilStone Water Saver System. This system prevents water from running off by collecting it in the base of the planter allowing for the soil to absorb the needed water. Excess water is then expelled through a drainage channel out of the side of the planter. This drainage channel prevents excessive extra water from pooling, while allowing time for the soil within the planter to rehydrate and take on the water needed for its planted contents. Heres how it works in deatil.

Shown here on the left is the initial application of water to a dry potted plant (1). Due to the dryness of the soil the water does not seep in, instead it runs across the top of the soil to the side of the pot (2). At the side of the pot the water runs down between the pot and the soil (3). This is possible due to the retraction of the soil separating from the pot walls (have you ever noticed how easy it is to remove a dry plant from its container?) When soil dries it contracts, taking up less room. This is also true of ground soil. Really dry ground soil will actually contract too resulting in “cracks” in the soil.
When the water reaches the bottom of the pot it begins to pool in the absence of a conventional drain hole. (4). Once the water level pools enough to reach the drain hole it runs out the hole leaving a "primer" of water in the planter to charge the soil and re-hydrate the plant (5).
The pooling feature is the working part of the “WilStone Water Saver System. The pooling of water in the base of the pot actually gives the soil time to take on the needed water. In this system the pooled water is enough to charge the soil but yet not too much to damage your plants. The minimal amount of excess water in the planter will be used by the plant or be absorbed into the dry soil. The pooling functions of this water saver system allows for a saturating soak for you dry plants and soil. For the most part there is no fear of loosing a plant to drowning in these planters.

The modifications to our water system are only a small portion of the total ability of our planters. They are the most durable planter on the market! They require minimal maintenance and can be left outside over winter!