In some good news for lazy indoor-gardeners...South Korean researchers have developed a flowerpot that waters its own contents.
The self-watering pots are slated to be in stores later this year.
Cho Sung-min reports.
The Rural Development Administration says it has developed a flower pot that can water itself.
The way the pot works is similar to a dehumidifer.
It absorbs water vapor in the air, condenses it, and supplies it to whatever plants it contains.
Each one is embedded with a cooling plate, a temperature control device, and a cooling fan.
Researchers say water starts to condense when the temperature of the cooling plate is brought down below the dew point.
"First, the temperature temperature controller cools the plate down below the dew point. The fan then sucks in moisture and the vapor is converted to liquid."
According to the researchers, the pot can fully hydrate the plants it holds all year round, generating up to seventy cubic centimeters of water in summer... and around forty cubic centimeters in winter.
Scientists say the pots would be most useful for people who want to grow plants in their homes, but are either too busy or always forget to water them.
"As a person who loves plants and but frequently goes out of town,... I would love to have these pots since I wouldn't have to water them."
The administration says they are currently working to lower the production cost of the pots and hopefully get the final product onto the market in the latter half of this year.
Cho Sung-min, Arirang News.