Drain Away Trays – The Ultimate Solution for Potted Plant Drainage

Drainage is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of caring for potted plants. Excess water pooling in saucers and trays leads to a host of problems – unsightly stains, mold, root rot, and more. Drain away trays offer a simple and effective solution to whisk away excess irrigation water and provide mess-free, controlled drainage for your potted plants

What Are Drain Away Trays?

Drain away trays are a specialized type of plant saucer designed to actively drain excess water away from potted plants The key features that set them apart from regular saucers are

• Sloped Gutter Design – The interior surface is angled to direct all excess liquid to one corner.

• Drainage Spout – A threaded outlet allows attaching a hose to evacuate water as desired.

• Raised Ribs – Ribs elevate pots above the tray surface so air can circulate underneath.

These features work together to capture irrigation runoff, funnel it to a drain, and prevent puddles under pots. Drain away trays come in round and rectangular shapes to accommodate different nursery pot sizes and shapes.

Benefits of Drain Away Trays for Potted Plants

Switching to drain away trays provides many benefits compared to traditional saucers and trays:

Prevent Messes and Stains

The sloped gutter whisks away extra water immediately before it can spill over or pool in the saucer. No more ugly stains on your deck or floors!

Customized Drainage Control

Attach a hose or tube to the threaded spout to divert excess water wherever desired – to a bucket for recycling, to water nearby plants, away from high traffic areas, etc.

Link Multiple Trays Together

The threaded outlet allows connecting several trays in sequence to funnel all runoff to a single drainage point. Perfect for multi-pot setups.

Indoor or Outdoor Use

Drain away trays are durable and weatherproof, allowing use inside your home or outdoors on patios, decks, and in gardens year-round.

Raised Pot Ribs Protect Surfaces

Ribs elevate pots off the tray floor so water flows safely underneath. No more puddle damage to floors and furniture.

Promote Air Circulation

Spacing pots up on ribs allows air flow under pots to dry out moisture and prevent root rot issues.

Choosing the Right Size Drain Away Tray

Drain away trays come in round models like 12”, 15.5”, and 22” diameters or rectangular sizes. Pick a size that’s 2 inches wider than your nursery pot’s base diameter. This ensures full drainage coverage.

For unusual shaped pots, choose a tray equal to or larger than the pan length and width. When in doubt, go bigger – extra tray space won’t affect functionality. With the right fit, pots will sit securely cradled on the raised ribs.

Tips for Using Drain Away Trays

Follow these tips to seamlessly integrate drain away trays into your potted plant care regimen:

• Place pots centered on tray ribs. No need to anchor them.

• Arrange multiple trays with spouts aligned. Link together with fittings.

• Attach a 1⁄2 inch drainage hose if diverting water elsewhere.

• Ensure pots sit level. Add shims if needed to prevent tilting.

• When watering, let excess drain naturally into the tray and out the spout.

• Periodically flush trays with clean water to prevent salt deposits.

• Can be left outdoors year-round. Durable plastic withstands weather extremes.

Alternatives to True Drain Away Trays

While purpose-built drain away trays are ideal, there are some alternate approaches:

• Saucers with drain holes – Look for outlet ports to drain excess water.

• Self-watering pots – Internal reservoirs reduce overflow.

• DIY drip irrigation – Delivers exact amounts of water to each pot.

• Elevated pot feet – Raises pots to allow airflow and drainage.

• Gravel layer – Pebbles dissipate excess moisture but need cleaning.

While these can work, dedicated drain away trays provide the most effective, low maintenance solution.

Watering Best Practices with Drain Away Trays

To get the most benefit from drain away trays, adopt these watering best practices:

• Check soil daily – Determine when plants need watering.

• Water thoroughly until excess drains out. Encourages deep roots.

• Water in morning so excess drains through the day.

• Adjust watering for weather conditions. More often in heat waves.

• Avoid foliage contact when watering to limit disease spread.

• Allow at least 10-20% of water to drain out. Prevents salt buildup.

• Flush trays occasionally with clean water to prevent salt deposits.

Following these tips will keep your drain away system working optimally and plants healthy.

The Verdict on Drain Away Trays

For potted plant growers struggling with excess irrigation water, drain away trays provide an easy solution. Their sloped gutter design whisks away overflow immediately and allows custom drainage routing.

Available in sizes to fit any nursery pot, drain away trays prevent stains, promote air circulation, and make watering cleanup a breeze. Their durable construction allows flexible use outdoors and indoors year-round.

By taking excess water management into your own hands, drain away trays let you water with confidence and eliminate ugly standing water stains. If you’re looking for an easy way to optimize drainage and make potted plant care easier, drain away trays are highly recommended. Your pots and floors will thank you!

To create a humidity tray for your plants, you’ll need a shallow tray, pebbles or gravel, and water. Fill the tray with the pebbles, ensuring they create a level surface for your plant’s pot. Add water to the tray, making sure the water level is below the top of the pebbles. Place your plant’s pot on top of the pebbles, ensuring the bottom of the pot doesn’t sit directly in the water.