Abstract: A method of caring for plants is carried out by utilizing a planter that includes a soil container having openings at the bottom thereof for communication to a basin. The container is filled with liquid to a level at which substantially all of the soil is submerged in the liquid and remains so for a selected period of time. Then an aperture at the bottom of the basic is opened and the liquid in the container drains through the openings at the bottom of the latter into the basin and exiting therefrom through the aperture. In another embodiment a transparent siphon is utilized to remove liquid from the basin and is also utilized as a sighting means so that a user is aware that liquid in the container has reached a desired level. Salts that often accumulate at the soil surface are run off by having liquid enter the container through the openings at the bottom thereof and run out of the container above the soil line.