The Styler Liner Self Watering System is an ideal solution to help you water more effectively, saving you time and allowing for a low maintenance, mess free plant experience, especially for larger plants. In this guide, we explore how this Swiss designed, South African manufactured planter can be used in action. We’ll explore the components, setting up the system, and maintaining it.

Styler Liner Components

The Styler Liner includes the following components:

• Planter: the physical plastic pot inside which the plant and self watering components are housed.
• Sealing Plug: a removable rubber plug that sits at the base of the planter, sealing it off from water running out.
• Soil Deck: a perforated plastic plate that allows water and roots to move between the planter and the water reservoir. The plant is housed on top of the Soil Deck.
• Water Reservoir: the cavity that is created when the soil deck is inserted. This is refilled with water by the fill pipe.
• Fill Pipe: a vertical downpipe that sticks out the top of the soil and allows the user to replenish the water in the water reservoir. The cap gauge sits on top of the fill pipe.
• Hydro Tube: a small, see through tube that allows the user to measure how much water is in the Fill Pipe.
• Cap Gauge: a plastic cap, that sits on top of the Fill Pipe, and contains the Hydro Tube, affixed at its top end. A small hole in the top of the Cap Gauge allows the user to place their finger over it, in order to trap the water in the Hydro Tube, thus allowing the user to ascertain the level of water in the Fill Pipe.

Capillary Action: The Property of Water that makes the Self Watering Liner Work

The Styler Self Watering Liner makes use of a property of water called Capillary Action in order to allow the plant to draw up water and “water itself”. 

Plants and trees rely on capillary action to thrive, as it pulls water up into their roots. Through the combined forces of adhesion and cohesion, water is transported all the way up to the branches and leaves. Water is “like a magnet."  It likes to gravitate and “join” with other water molecules, even in a “gravity defying” way, i.e., pulling vertically upwards, e.g. within a root ball.

As long as there is some water in the soil surrounding the plant, fresh water molecules can move freely, upward. As such, the plant can be watered effectively from the water reservoir in the base of the planter, once in contact with water molecules surrounding the root ball.

The system will thus be most effective if the soil within the planter never completely dries out. 

Activating the Self Watering System

Activating the system by watering the topsoil later, in addition to filling up the water reservoir, allows the capillary action to do its job: it allows water molecules to move freely from the water reservoir up into the root ball. The system will be less effective if you only fill the water reservoir with water, as the water within it will struggle to move into the reservoir.

It’s important to note that just a little water is necessary in order to let Capillary Action take place. As such, be mindful not to overwatering your plant at the activation stage. Pour, e.g., 1 litre of water at a time, until you are certain that the “top water” and the “bottom water” from the water reservoir have “joined” within the Root ball. This can be done by putting your thumb over the hole in the cap gauge to create a suction, pulling out the clear hydrotube, and seeing how much water is in it. It should be no more than around a ¼ full for the best results.

Using Your Styler Self Watering Liner

Watering with Styler Liner

The system should be seen as an effective mode for watering your plants throughout the year. However, it is important to still do your regular checks for plant health and signs of underwatering / overwatering and not rely on the system alone.

An Optimal Watering Approach

1. Set up a schedule for when to check your plants’ water needs, e.g., once a week, fortnightly.
2. On this specified date/day, check whether the plant needs water or not. Do this by checking the water level in the hydrotube, but also: 
   a. Check the moisture in the top layer of soil - by touching it.
   b. Do a visual check if the plant looks over / underwatered. You’ll find the signs for this in the specific plant Care Instructions in our Plant Care Library.
   
3. Should the plant need water - replenish the Water Reservoir with more water. If not, check again the following week.

Fertilising your Plant

A good organic Liquid Fertiliser may be introduced, by mixing the solution, in the recommended ratio when adding water to the tube. For slow release granular fertiliser, usually mixed into the soil, water as normal, as the fertiliser is already near the root ball of the plant.

Maintenance of the Self Watering Liner

The system is made from durable plastic, and has a very long life. Some regular checks of the following components will ensure a happy outcome over time.

Checking the Rubber Seal

It may be necessary to replace the Sealing plug should you notice a little bit of water within the decorative planter or basket that surrounds the Styler Liner. We advise to still include a Drip Tray, if you are using natural Palm Leaf Baskets, to protect them should a small leak emerge.

Checking the Water Reservoir

It is common for the roots of a happy plant to grow into the Water Reservoir, reducing its capacity to hold water over time. It is an optional maintenance check, to periodically remove the entire system (excluding the Planter) to check that the roots do not fill the water reservoir. If they are, simply trim the roots with sterilised cutting utensil. You may also make a call at this stage, whether it is time to repot your plant, into a larger planter, especially if the roots-to-soil proportion is high.

Investing in the Styler Liner Self Watering System is a wonderful solution for plant enthusiasts seeking a low-maintenance, super easy way to care for their plants without the hassle of getting the watering just right. By leveraging the natural process of capillary action, this system ensures that your plants draw up just the right amount of water, promoting strong, healthy growth and an overall lush looking plant. 

Both setting up and maintaining the system is easy to do, making it ideal for anyone looking to green up their space, be it at home or in the office. With regular checks and occasional maintenance, you can enjoy a lush, thriving plant collection with minimal effort.

For easy, mess-free planting that helps your indoor plants stay healthy and live longer, try the Styler Liner Self Watering System.