Are you one of those people who often forget to water? Or maybe they are not at home very much, but still want to know that the indoor plants and the balcony garden are well taken care of? In this case, watering balls are a helpful alternative to supply plants with water evenly. How the system works and which models are recommended can be found in this detailed guide.
Watering Balls are ideal for plant owners who tend to forget to water
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Scheurich Bördy XL, Waterreserve water dispenser made of plastic and clay cone, Champagne Pearl, 29 cm high, 0.6 l vol.
10.99 EUR To the product| number of pieces / quantity | 1 |
|---|---|
| capacity | 600 milliliters |
| material | plastic, clay |
| shape | Clay cone with bird-shaped water reservoir |
| color | different |
| size | 29 centimeters high |
| price/piece | approx. EUR {PRICE/1} |
In June 2022, Stiftung Warentest published the results of its testing of a total of 16 plant watering systems - the Bördy XL from the manufacturer Scheurich was there and was even the test winner with an overall rating of 1.6. The pretty Bördy is primarily intended as a short-term irrigation aid and works without a water connection. However, since the capacity of the water reservoir is limited, the product is not suitable as an irrigation system for a longer holiday - depending on the location and size (the irrigation ball is available in different sizes), the Bördy supplies your indoor and balcony plants for up to 11 days.
our recommendation
Relaxdays watering balls, set of 4, 2 weeks, retractable, potted plants, metered watering 250 ml, plastic, red, 4 pieces
7.99 EUR To the product| number of pieces / quantity | 4 |
|---|---|
| capacity | 250 milliliters per scoop |
| material | plastic (PVC) |
| shape | Approx. 20 centimeters long tube with a spherical water reservoir |
| color | different |
| size | Diameter about 8 centimeters, total length about 27 centimeters |
| price/piece | approx. EUR {PRICE/4} |
Many Amazon customers rate these watering balls, which are primarily intended as watering aids for indoor and potted plants, as attractively priced and looking pretty in the flower pot. Some users report that the balls either do not release water or empty it too quickly; However, simple application errors could be behind it: Plants use more water in dry soil and in very sunny locations, so that the precious water is quickly drawn out of the watering balls. On the other hand, if no water runs out of the reservoir at all, the tube is probably clogged with soil. It is therefore essential to observe the manufacturer's instructions during commissioning.
our recommendation
Royal Gardineer watering balls: terracotta water dispenser Classico for potted plants in a set of 3 (watering plugs)
9.99 EUR To the product| number of pieces / quantity | 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| capacity | 125 milliliters |
| material | clay / terracotta |
| shape | bulbous |
| color | brown / terracotta |
| size | 12.5 centimeters high, diameter 6 centimeters |
| price/piece | approx. EUR {PRICE/3} |
These clay watering balls provide a Mediterranean look in the living room or on the balcony. Due to their small size and small capacity, they are primarily intended for smaller plants. The clay pots are simply buried in the ground with the pointed side facing downwards, so that about a fifth of the upper part still sticks out. The hole also remains above the ground, because you need this to refill the clay cone. The watering is now done by pure physics: since the clay material is water-permeable, the moisture in the container gradually seeps into the earth.
Purchase Criteria
size
Irrigation balls are available in different sizes, so that there is the right model for every planter. Because when choosing the watering aid, you have to make sure that the desired product fits into the pot. Irrigation balls made of glass or plastic consist of a thin tube on which there is a water reservoir in the form of a ball or some other shape. These varieties fit in any pot, unlike clay balls that need to be buried.
capacity
There is also a wide range when it comes to capacity: Depending on the plant (and its size), you have the choice between watering balls with a small capacity of 125 milliliters up to models that can hold one liter of water and more. Which product you choose depends on the size and water requirements of the plant to be supplied - as well as how long the water supply should last. Small amounts are naturally already used up after a few days.
material
plastic: Plastic is a robust material that is cheap to produce and also has a long service life. However, many plastics react to weather influences - especially to UV light - by becoming porous over time. This in turn means that the irrigation ball releases too much water and no longer works as desired. In addition, many watering balls made of plastic appear to be of lower quality than models made of glass or clay.
Glass: Glass, on the other hand, does not become porous from sunlight and also looks more attractive than plastic - but glass watering balls are also more expensive. If you value design, you can purchase beautiful, hand-blown watering balls and thus increase the ornamental value of your houseplants even more. But be careful: Glass breaks easily, for example under load or if you accidentally drop the watering aid. In addition, glass has a burning glass effect when exposed to strong sunlight, which can occasionally lead to burn marks.
volume: So-called ollas - clay pots for watering the garden and in raised beds - have been used for centuries. These watering aids have been tried and tested, and there are also many different models for gardens, balcony boxes and flower pots. Clay is a natural material that always releases just as much water as the plants need - for physical reasons, overwatering is not possible. Clay pots are also visually attractive. Be careful not to buy baked clay products.
scope of application
Should the watering balls be used for indoor plants, in balcony boxes or even in the garden? Depending on the intended use, different models are recommended. In the garden or in the raised bed, you should actually use larger models with a higher capacity from one liter and made of robust materials that are resistant to UV light - clay is more recommended in this area. For indoor plants, on the other hand, watering balls made of glass or plastic are better suited, since ollas actually take up a lot of space in the pot.
shape and color
Last but not least, the look also plays a role when choosing the irrigation balls. Irrigation aids come in many shapes and colors, especially in the indoor plant segment. But whether in animal form or in bright colors: Ultimately, it depends on whether the system does its job. For you, this means: First look in the customer reviews to see whether the irrigation aids are generally rated positively and - particularly important! - what negative reviews there are.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What are irrigation balls?
Irrigation balls usually consist of a thin tube and a water reservoir on it, which often has a spherical shape. However, the shape can vary, so there are also models with a more creative look - for example in the shape of animals. Depending on the model and pot size, insert the tube into the ground at different depths.
How do irrigation balls work?
The functional principle of the irrigation ball is simple: When the tube is inserted into the ground, some of the substrate gets in and clogs the tube. Dry soil releases oxygen into the irrigation balls. This displaces the water and pushes it out through the tube drop by drop. Now the dry substrate absorbs the moisture like a sponge.
How do you use irrigation balls correctly?
To ensure that the watering balls do not empty completely immediately after being inserted, you should water the plant vigorously beforehand - the substrate must be well moistened. Fill the irrigation reservoir completely. Now insert the tube into the ground so that the pointed end is as close as possible to the roots.
How long does the water supply last?
Sometimes the manufacturers advertise with statements like "watered for up to 14 days!". You should not rely on this, because how long the water supply actually lasts depends on various factors. Of course, this includes the capacity of the watering ball, but also the specific water requirements of the plant and its location: Plants need significantly more moisture in sunny places.
Which manufacturers produce high-quality irrigation balls?
You can get high-quality watering balls primarily from Scheurich, which, in addition to the Bördy already presented, also has other models in its portfolio. Like Bördy, these are available in different sizes. Also recommended is the "Blumat" system (which, however, is not an irrigation ball), which was specially designed for indoor and balcony plants and offers a larger water reservoir.
Can I also water my orchids with watering balls?
Irrigation balls are not suitable for the supply of orchids because the underlying physical functional principle only works with fine soil, but not with coarse orchid substrate (8.00 €). Here you could switch to hydroponics instead, which works quite well with the popular, less complicated types of orchids.