How Do Autopots Work? Water Easily Even When On Vacation

These self-watering systems use gravity to deliver a steady supply of water and nutrients, so your plants stay healthy without pumps, timers, or daily care.

What Are Autopots?

AutoPot Tray2Grow System – Standard Tray2Grow with No Tank – Self-Watering, Gravity-Fed Hydroponic Indoor System, Black

Autopots are a unique self-watering system that can be used to water plants automatically.

The autopot systems need no electricity to run so no pumps or timers are needed and they offer flexible layouts that can easily be added to.

This is an automated self-watering planter system that waters from the bottom up and gives your plants consistent access to water and nutrients which results in healthier plants and higher yields.

Autopots can be used indoors or outdoors, and they can be used to water a wide variety of plants, including houseplants, vegetables, and flowers.

Autopots are an ideal solution for gardeners who want to save time on watering, and they can also help to reduce the risk of under or overwatering.

If you want to go on vacation you can know that your plants will be automatically watered while you are gone.

How Do Autopots Work?

The autopot system comes with a water reservoir that can be filled with water or a water and nutrient solution. It must be placed slightly higher than the plant trays.

Nutrients are supplied to the plants with a gravity feed. A tube runs from the reservoir to a valve with a float in it called an aquavalve.

The aqua valve is placed inside the tray along with your pot. The pots are filled with a 50/50 mix of coco coir and perlite. Potting soil can be used as well.

If you decide to try this system out I recommend using coco coir rather than potting soil. Coco performs better in this type of system.

This system uses no electricity, no pumps, and no timers. Gravity takes care of everything.

The float controls the flow of water to the plant tray. It adds a 3/4 inch water level to the plant tray.

When it gets used up the float drops and allows it to refill automatically. All you need to do is top up the reservoir periodically.

AutoPot 2 Pot GeoPot System with 5 Gallon Fabric Pots – Self-Watering, Gravity-Fed Hydroponic System (2Pot with 12.4 gal Tank) Indoor, Black

DIY Autopot Systems

If you are handy you could probably build a system yourself. Often you don’t really save much if any money doing this. But it could be a fun project.

Most of the components used in the autopot system are available separately. This does come in handy if you already have one and want to expand it.

The heart of these systems is the aquavalve. This unit contains the float and is what you need to control the water level and refilling the tray when the watering levels go

AutoPot AQUAvalve5 – New, Larger Inlet – 66% Bigger

Currently, they are available on Amazon here.

You could provide your own pots and trays. The AutoPot Easy2Grow system uses 2 pots per tray that share a valve. The tray they use is about the size of a seed flat (10 x 22.5 inches)

You would also need to provide a reservoir, 3/8″ OD tubing, and fittings to hook everything up.

I want to try this system out. I am bottom watering my vegetables in a tray by hand at the moment. I have not decided if I will buy a unit or just buy the valves and try that.

Right now I don’t have space to set this up but when my crops are all harvested I plan to give it a try.

Autopot System Advantages And Options

AutoPot Easy2Grow 4Pot System with Regular with 2.2 Gallon Pots and 12.4 Gallon Tank – Self-Watering, Indoor, Hydroponic System, Black

I like the flexibility the autopot system offers. It can be configured for just about any size or growing situation.

• One of the great things about the autopot system is that it does not need electricity.

• It is also easy to configure. You can alter the tubing length and place pots in a line or double them up depending on how many pots you are watering.

• These systems are available from a single autopot up to 60 units for a greenhouse. 

• They can use plastic pots or fabric pots.

• They have single and double trays and also sell larger trays that can hold multiple pots at the same time.

Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Autopot System

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your autopot system:

• Add a couple of inches of perlite or grow stones to your pot before filling it with soil mix.

• Use a 50/50 mix of coco coir or soil with perlite.

• I recommend using coco coir. Coco works best when always moist but soil is typically allowed to dry out between feedings.

• Don’t use organic nutrients because they can clog the feed lines.

• Always hand water from the top for the first 2 weeks to get the plant’s root system established.

• Don’t turn the system on for those 2 first weeks.

• Remember to flush out your lines out periodically.

Here is a good article with some more tips.

Autopots FAQs

The Autopot system offers gardeners a reliable, low-maintenance way to grow plants with consistent watering and feeding.

Below are answers to the most common questions to help you get started and make the most of your system.

How do you use an Autopot watering system?

Assemble the system according to the instructions, fill pots with your growing medium, and top-water plants for the first two weeks. Once established, fill the reservoir with a nutrient solution and open the valve. The AquaValve will automatically supply water as needed—just refill the reservoir when it gets low.

Is an Autopot considered hydroponics?

When used with soil, Autopots are generally not considered hydroponics. However, if you grow with coco coir or another soilless medium, the setup functions more like a hydroponic system.

Do Autopots increase yield?

Yes. Since plants always have access to water and nutrients, they grow healthier and can produce higher yields compared to traditional watering methods.

Can you use soil in Autopots?

Yes, but mix soil 50/50 with perlite to improve aeration and drainage. Straight soil can hold too much water and restrict root oxygen. Coco coir is often a better choice for strong, healthy growth.

Can I use just clay pebbles in Autopots?

No. Clay pebbles alone don’t wick enough water. You can, however, mix them 50/50 with coco coir or soil for better results.

What types of plants can be grown with Autopots?

Autopots are versatile and work with vegetables, herbs, flowers, and houseplants. The system’s consistent water supply supports a wide variety of plants.

How often do I need to refill the reservoir?

Refill frequency depends on reservoir size and plant water use. Check water levels often in the first few days to learn your system’s pattern, then adjust as needed.

What nutrients should I use with Autopots?

Avoid thick organic feeds, which can clog lines. Instead, use a balanced hydroponic nutrient solution that includes all necessary trace elements.

How do you feed plants with Autopots?

Nutrients are mixed into the reservoir water, which gravity-feeds the trays. Since plants are fed constantly, start with nutrients at half the recommended strength and adjust as needed.

How do I clean and maintain an Autopot system?

Clean the reservoir, tubing, and AquaValve regularly to prevent clogs. Flush the system periodically to remove nutrient buildup, and follow manufacturer guidelines for maintenance.

Are Autopots worth it?

For busy gardeners or those who struggle with watering schedules, Autopots can be a game-changer. The automation saves time, reduces stress, and helps plants thrive—making them well worth the investment.

How Do Autopots Work? Final Thoughts

AutoPot 6 Pot System with 3.9 Gallon pots and 12.4 Gallon Tank – Self-Watering Gravity-Fed Hydroponic Indoor System, Black

There are a lot of advantages to using autopots. They automate and take the guesswork out of watering.

When plants are not subjected to over or underwatering and fertilizing they naturally grow better and produce more.

They are simple to set up and easy to expand if you want to add more plants. They can work with fabric pots or standard plastic pots.

If you are tired of hand watering or worse forget to do it at all they can be a godsend and save your garden. Give them a try!