As an avid gardener and plant lover, I’m always looking for solutions to make caring for my potted plants easier One persistent issue I faced was excess water pooling in saucers under my pots, causing stains and mess. That’s why I was so excited when I discovered the Drain Away drain tray system!
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about Drain Away trays for houseplants and outdoor containers. You’ll learn how they work, their benefits, which size you need, and tips for getting the most out of these game-changing drain trays. Let’s get started!
What Are Drain Away Trays?
Drain Away trays are specially designed plant saucers that actively drain excess water away from your pots. This prevents wet messes, stains and overflow issues.
The key is their sloped gutter and threaded drain spout. The sloped gutter funnels excess irrigation water to the corner drain spout. You can then attach a hose or tube to evacuate the water as desired.
Drain Away trays come in round and rectangular shapes to fit different size pots. They are made from durable plastic in a choice of colors to fit any decor.
Benefits of Using Drain Away Trays
Switching my pots over to Drain Away trays solved so many headaches! Here are some of the key benefits I’ve experienced:
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No More Stains or Standing Water – The sloped gutter whisks away excess immediately so it can’t pool in the saucer. No more stains!
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Control Drainage Destination – Attach a hose or tube to divert water wherever you want. Water other plants, drain to a bucket, etc.
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Link Multiple Trays Together – Connect several trays in sequence to funnel all drainage to one outlet. Great for multi-pot setups.
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Use Indoors or Outdoors – Durable construction allows using Drain Away trays inside your home or out on the patio. They can handle sun, rain, and weather fluctuations.
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Perfect Fit for Standard Nursery Pots – Available in 12″, 15.5″, and 22″ sizes to accommodate most round nursery pots.
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Raised Platform Protects Floors – Pots sit up on ridges so water flows underneath safely. No more puddle damage!
Choosing the Right Size Drain Away Tray
Drain Away offers round drain trays in three sizes – 12″, 15.5″, and 22″ diameters. This allows you to match them to the dimensions of your nursery pots.
Here are some tips on selecting the proper size:
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Measure across the bottom of your nursery pots to get their diameter.
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Pick a Drain Away tray at least 2 inches wider than this measurement. This ensures full drainage coverage.
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The 12″ tray fits pots up to 10″ diameter. The 15.5″ tray fits up to 13.5″ pots. The 22″ tray fits up to 20″ diameter pots.
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For rectangular or oval pans, choose a tray equal to or larger than the pan’s dimensions.
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When in doubt, go bigger! Having slightly more tray space around your pot won’t affect functionality.
With the right size match, your pot will sit down inside the Drain Away tray, with the rim resting on the raised ridges. This creates a watertight seal so no leakage occurs.
Setup and Usage Tips
Once you’ve selected Drain Away trays for your pots, here are some pointers on getting them set up and integrated into your watering routine:
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Place your nursery pots down into the trays, centered on the raised ribs. No need to anchor them.
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If combining multiple trays, arrange them with drain spouts aligned and use adapter fittings to link them.
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Attach a 1/2″ ID drainage hose to the threaded outflow spout if desired. This can divert water away.
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Check that pots sit level – insert shims under tray rim if needed to prevent tilting.
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When watering, pour excess as normal. The sloped tray will divert runoff to the drain outlet.
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To prevent salts buildup, periodically flush trays by pouring clean water through. Let it fully drain out.
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Outdoor trays can be left in place year-round. The durable plastic withstands sun, rain, snow, and temperature swings.
Alternatives to Drain Away Trays
While I’m a huge fan of dedicated drain trays, there are some alternate options to achieve similar results:
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Plastic Saucers with Drain Hole – Look for saucers with an outlet port to drain off excess water. Link multiples together.
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Self-Watering Pots – Integrated water reservoirs reduce overflow. Pick self-watering versions when purchasing new pots.
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DIY Drip Irrigation – Drip systems or wick watering cut back on excess irrigation. Can work for suitable plants.
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Elevated Pot Feet – Raising pots up on feet or blocks lets water drain freely without pooling.
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Gravel Drainage Layer – Fill saucers with pebbles to dissipate excess moisture. Needs frequent cleaning.
While these can work, I’ve found purpose-designed drain trays provide the most effective and convenient solution, especially for multiple pot groupings.
Top Tips for Watering Success with Drain Trays
Adopting a disciplined, consistent watering routine is key to getting the most out of drain trays like Drain Away. Here are my top tips:
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Check soil moisture daily by touch and weight to gauge when plants need water.
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Water thoroughly until excess drains out the bottom when pots are dry. This encourages deep roots.
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Always water in morning so excess drains through the day. Avoid evening watering.
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Adjust schedule based on weather, checking soil more often in heat waves.
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Avoid foliage contact when watering to limit disease spread. Water near base of stems.
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Let at least 10-20% of irrigation water drain out. This prevents salts accumulation.
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Pour extra clean water through occasionally to flush salts buildup from drain trays.
Following these tips, your Drain Away setup will channel away excess water like a pro, keeping plants healthy and your floors mess-free!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Drain Away trays:
What size pots do the different trays fit?
The 12″ tray fits up to 10″ pots, the 15.5″ tray fits up to 13.5″ pots, and the 22″ tray fits up to 20″ pots.
How many trays can I connect together?
You can join together as many trays as needed using the proper fittings. Ten or more is common for larger installations.
Do trays need to be anchored to pots?
No, pots sit securely in Drain Away trays without anchoring. The ribbed interior cradles them in place.
Can trays be used indoors and outdoors safely?
Yes, Drain Away trays are UV-stabilized and weatherproof, allowing indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse use.
Do trays require any maintenance?
Occasional flushing with clean water prevents salt deposits. Check rib security and drain fittings annually.
The Verdict – Should You Buy Drain Away Trays?
In my experience, Drain Away’s drain tray system is a total game changer if you want to stop pot water messes and stains for good. The quality and convenience is unmatched.
For any home gardener struggling with excess water drainage issues, investing in Drain Away trays tailored to your pots is a smart, hassle-free solution. Just follow the size guidelines and setup tips outlined above to integrate them seamlessly into your watering routine.
With Drain Away trays under all your pots, you’ll save tons of cleanup time and finally have picture-perfect floors free of standing water stains. Your plants will thank you too!
Water Drain Trays Made in the USA
Drain 100% water away from plants or pots with the best priced water drain trays in the USA. Our Water B Gone drain trays are designed to make growing potted plants easier and portable. The raised platform in the middle of the Water B Gone drain trays makes sure that your container sits above the water that is draining. The tray slopes toward the drain, so any water that falls on it will go away from your plants. Eliminate water staining on patios or decks by directing water drainage or recycling water.
Now you can have potted plants anywhere with a single solution to eliminate standing water.
