Abstract: An inexpensive, self-contained, hydroponic planter for various house plants automatically supplies to the plants the correct amount of water, nutrients and adequate root exposure to gases in the air. The planter includes a tank storing the mixture of water and nutrients, a drain for changing the solution and a sight glass for gauging the proper water level range. An air pump with an air line leading from above the water level to the bottom of the storage tank is attached to the intake of a riser tube. The riser tube goes from the bottom of the storage tank through a stand pipe in a pot above the storage tank to the top of the pot. Compressed air intermittently fed into the bottom of the riser tube rises inside the tube, expanding and increasing in velocity as ambient pressure decreases and creating an "air lift" that draws the water into the bottom of the tube and lifts it, along with the expanding air, to the top of the tube where it is discharged into the pot.

Abstract: An inexpensive, self-contained, hydroponic planter for various house plants automatically supplies to the plants the correct amount of water, nutrients and adequate root exposure to gases in the air. The planter includes a tank storing the mixture of water and nutrients, a drain for changing the solution and a sight glass for gauging the proper water level range. An air pump with an air line leading from above the water level to the bottom of the storage tank is attached to the intake of a riser tube. The riser tube goes from the bottom of the storage tank through a stand pipe in a pot above the storage tank to the top of the pot. Compressed air intermittently fed into the bottom of the riser tube rises inside the tube, expanding and increasing in velocity as ambient pressure decreases and creating an "air lift" that draws the water into the bottom of the tube and lifts it, along with the expanding air, to the top of the tube where it is discharged into the pot.