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Removing water from a plant saucer can have multiple benefits when it comes to your health as well as the health of your pets and your plant.

Having excess water accumulating in a plant saucer can cause multiple problems. If not removed on time, it can invite insects to nest and multiply. Additionally, pets will drink from it which can lead to indigestion and nausea. It also increases the soil salt content when the mineral water is soaked from the saucer.

In this article, we are going to explain the benefits of removing excess water from a plant saucer as well as the most efficient ways to do it without creating a mess.

How To Remove Excess Water From a Plant Saucer?

As much as saucers are beneficial for plants, old plant saucers can leave your plants sitting in nutrient waste and salt that can be soaked back by your plant’s soil. 

Salts can significantly affect the mineral balance of your potting soil. 

The accumulation of salts in the soil will eventually end up on the pores of the roots, blocking the very mechanism by which the plant uses to absorb both water and nutrients.

Therefore, it is beneficial to your plant’s health that you remove excess water from the plant saucers.

Excess water in the saucer can cause the soil to remain moist for longer periods. 

See our detailed article on how long should soil stay moist.

Additionally, the water can pose a health hazard to both you and your pets if insects start living in the water as well as if your pets decide to take a drink out of it.

Use a Turkey Baster:

The easiest method for removing excess water from a plant pot is by using a turkey baster. It works well when you have heavy pots that you just can move around and require just one simple instrument.

Turkey baster is used for removing water from plant saucers which are placed under larger pots that are difficult to lift. 

Removing the water from the saucer is important within 30-60 minutes to prevent the mineral water from going back to the roots. 

Using a turkey baster for removing the water from the saucer will work best for the hanging plants. So, if you have hanging plants, Turkey baster is your ultimate answer to how to remove excess water from the plant saucer. 

I have found a baster at an amazing price on amazon that removes water well.

Use a Sponge:

This is the simplest and handiest method to remove excess water from a small plant saucer. All you need to use is a sponge to remove the collected water in the plant saucer. 

You can simply place the sponge in the plant saucer, it will absorb the water from it and then you can remove the water from it into other containers.

Tilt and Drain into a Sink:

The water collected in the plant saucer can also be removed by using the century-old method: tilt and drain the saucer directly into the sink. 

If you have small pots, you can easily lift them up and pick the plant saucer. Then drain it into the sink. 

This method is only useful for small plant pots which can easily be lifted. However, this method will surely not work for the hanging plant pots and larger pots. 

What are The Benefits of Removing Excess Water From a Plant Saucer?

Plant saucers are usually used with plant pots or containers to “catch†and hold excess water which has drained out from the plant after it has been watered. 

With well-draining soil a sufficient amount of water soaks into the soil while the rest runs off into the plant saucer. 

Most plant pots usually come with saucers but if you have to get one I would suggest finding one that matches the pot and could hold a sufficient amount of water.

Prevents Pets From Drinking The Water:

Pets have become a crucial part of our lives. We all love having pets but taking care of them is a real responsibility. Though, there is no doubt that plants and pets add life to our homes, having them both under one roof is a never-ending challenge. 

Pets love to play with the plants and sometimes, even chew their leaves for fun. However, certain plants can be proved extremely toxic for your cheerful buddy. 

Pets will run to plants again and again if they are not trained to stay away from them. 

Pets can drink water from the plant saucer but it can be detrimental for them. Because the water may contain fertilizer or some pests in it that could make your pet sick.

So, it is better to remove the water from the saucer after every watering session. 

You can see our detailed article on Is it safe for pets to drink out of plant saucer.

Prevents a Potential Mess:

You can minimize the effect of the potential mess caused by potted plants by using plant saucers. The water draining from the drainage hole will be collected into the saucer and then can be removed by different methods. 

Plant saucers not only help the plants in maintaining the moisture but also assist you in keeping the surroundings neat and clean. 

You can even make your plant pots look more attractive aesthetically by using pebbles and stones in the saucers. 

However, make sure your pets do not spill the water present in the saucer. Because it can also create a mess so it is better to remove the water after every watering session. 

Prevent Insects From Nesting:

If you have noticed that your plants do not look healthy, the reason behind it could be pest infestation. 

You can prevent the ants from harming your plants by creating a water barrier between them and your plants. 

Insects can dramatically damage your plant leaves and soil mixture. Plant leaves are a good source of food for bugs, spider mites, and other insects. 

Some of the insects (e.g. snails and ants) even lay their eggs in the potting soil. A little negligence from your side and your plant will be invaded by an army of insects. 

To get rid of any potential foraging insect, make a solution by mixing essential oil like peppermint or citrus into the water and then pour this water into the plant saucer. 

Now put the pot into this plant saucer. This will help you to keep the ants and other insects away from your plants. 

The Benefits of Using a Plant Saucer

Hold The Excess Water:

Using saucers on plants for both indoor and outdoor applications can prevent a messy situation whenever the plant is watered. 

This is because every time you water your plants, the extra water will drain into the saucer through the drainage hole and hold within the saucers.

After that, you can simply remove the water from the saucer. By removing the extra water from the saucer, you can maintain the standards of cleanliness of your house. 

If there is no plant saucer, water can split onto your floor making the carpets dirty. 

Used For Decorative Purpose:

Apart from holding the excess water and increasing the humidity level, the plant saucer also increases the decoration of your home. 

Interestingly, you can now buy the plant saucer that matches your home interiors and can add vibrance and beauty to your home. 

Plant saucers are available in the market in almost every size that you can imagine. 

To make your house look more aesthetic, you can add colorful saucers to the potted plants present in every corner of your home. Imagine how vibrant and lively your house would look!

Increase Humidity:

In addition to creating less mess in the house, saucers are also a great way to increase humidity for plants. The plants that need more humidity to thrive will grow best in the pot along with a plant saucer e.g., Birds nest fern. 

Add some stones and pebbles to the saucer and then pour water into it, in this way a good humidity will be provided to the plants.

You need a high amount of humidity if you are growing Ficus, Alocasia, Schefflera, Tillandsia (aka Air plants), Bamboo, or Staghorn Fern.

All these plants have a great love for humidity and, therefore, thrive best at places where humidity is available in a good amount. 

The Takeaway:

To conclude, remove excess water from the plant saucers within 30 minutes to one hour of your watering session. 

To remove the collected water you can use a turkey baster, a sponge, or just pick up the plant and drain the water into the sink. 

The benefits of removing the accumulated water include safety for both you, your pet, and the plant. 

So the next time you water your plant think of the potential hazards there can be by leaving the water to sit in the saucer and you too could come up with some innovative ways to remove the water.

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