Water retaining gel is useful for keeping water in a container plant's soil. This gel is able to hold many times its own weight. This makes it useful for reducing the frequency of watering required for a potted plant. This can be helpful during dry weather and when you are not able to water the plants often, such as when away for a short time.
Water retaining gel is usually available from garden stores and hardware stores with a garden centre. The gel is contained in small sachets.
Using water retaining gel[edit | edit source]
Read the instructions that come with the packaging. Some brands require the sachets to be soaked in water before mixing.
Mix with the compost, then add to the plant.
If the potting soil already contains moisture-retaining elements, do not add water retaining gel or the mixture may become frothy.
