The thought of vacation or a weekend getaway would make any person euphoric but it’s a moment of perennial anxiety for all devoted plant parents. While pet-sitters is a practical choice opted for by many pet parents, plant sitting is not quite the mainstream concept we imagine it to be and requests to do so usually garner some pretty odd glances. Taking inspiration from this universal problem a NID graduate’s innovation will keep your plants well watered and nurtured even when you are away.

Gowtham Reddy’s striking observation led to the conception of a Self-Watering planter called Osmos. Reddy designed a glass bowl according to the shape and size of a terracotta pot, with a 60% soil and 40% of low weight expanded clay in the pot, Osmos works on the basic principle that terracotta absorbs water and the soil inside the pot remains hydrated as per the requirement. With the capacity to hold 1.5 liters of water, this product can sustain the plants for at least 15 days. Apart from having a very aesthetic appeal to it, the product is also designed in a way that does not breed mosquitoes. Beginning the initiative for three varieties of plants – Aralia, Lucky Bamboo and Sansevieria, Osmos has sold over 300 plants costing about Rs 500 each.

Launched under the brand ‘Floraqua’ on Facebook, the product is being marketed by three PGP students from IIMA and an engineering student from Ahmedabad University. Reddy’s Innovation received the well-deserved recognition at the Lexus Design Awards under the category of Best Student Project. For any anxious plant-owner, this will be a worthy investment and the perfect way to ensure your chlorophyll kin stay safe and happy when left to their own devices and will hopefully encourage more people to fill their city with some much needed greenery.