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Ambius sub-irrigation solution for indoor plants
Ambius sub-irrigation is our best-practice watering system for commercial indoor plants, designed to maintain lush, healthy greenery with minimal intervention. Unlike traditional top-watering, sub-irrigation delivers water directly into a sealed reservoir beneath the grow pot. The plant then draws up precisely the amount of water it needs through capillary action, promoting stronger root systems and preventing overwatering.
This advanced technique delivers less intrusive maintenance, and consistent plant health across your workplace. It provides a sustainable foundation for thriving commercial environments and is available across Ambius containers, bespoke designs, and client-owned planters.
What is Sub-Irrigation?
Sub-irrigation is a precise, eco-friendly watering method where water is introduced beneath the plant's grow pot and absorbed upward via a specialised wick or sub-irrigation insert.
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Prevents Overwatering: Delivers targeted water directly to roots, reducing root rot and soil compaction.
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Conserves Water: Sealed reservoirs minimize evaporation and eliminate runoff or water damage to office floors.
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Encourages Stronger Roots: Consistent upward moisture flow stimulates deeper, healthier root growth.
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Extends servicing cycles: Larger water capacity extends watering intervals, ensuring less intrusive servicing for your workplace.
How it works?
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The water is poured into the bottom of the sealed container. The wick at the bottom of the grow pot, sits in the water and allows the plant to take up the water as needed by osmosis.
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Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of high concentration which is how the plant roots draw water to soil.
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The wick acts as a prosthetic root with access to a reservoir that is able to take water up on it’s own terms.
Why sub-irrigation?
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Better for the health of the plant, extends plant life
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Water reservoir holds enough water between servicing, providing peace of mind especially during warmer conditions
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Using cone liners provides a sealed, leak proof solution
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Reduced shock to plants, as water is able to reach room temperature in reservoir
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Reduced plant pests and disease
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Enables the plants to effectively remove VOC’s thus improving Indoor Air Quality
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Longevity of topping condition (top watering stains)
*Photo: Ambius research trial
Benefits of sub-irrigation
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Healthier Plants
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Quicker, less intrusive servicing
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Sealed Solution
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Cost Effective
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Sustainable
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Precise method of watering
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Allows the plants to effectively remove VOCs - improving IAQ
Sealing your containers:
We waterproof your containers which ensures there are no leaks onto the floor or cabinets.
Preparing your containers:
We prepare your containers, adding Ambius best practice sub-irrigation, making sure they are ready for planting.
Seek Case Study
Ambius delivered a range of solutions for the Seek new headquarters that provide amazing fresh and agile space. 615 Containers and over 2,394 indoor plants were used in the design that represents Seek culture of putting ‘people first’ and promoting collaborative environment. Now this transformed space is the pillar of an innovative workplace for Seek offices globally.
Browse through some of our sub-irrigation projects:
Ambius Blog: Plant insights
5 reasons why indoor plants are a necessity and how plants can improve your bottom line.
This isn't just a product update - it’s a smarter, eco-conscious design built to boost plant health while delivering major logistical and sustainability advantages.
Indoor plants help create beautiful work spaces. Check out some before and after shots that highlight the impact of plants in different areas.
Frequently asked questions
Subirrigation is a precise Sustainable method of watering plants where water is delivered under the grow pot and absorbed upwards by the plant, via a wick.
Subirrigation is available on Ambius containers, bespoke and client owned solutions.
Sub-irrigation offers several benefits: it prevents overwatering (the biggest killer of indoor plants), promotes healthy plant growth, saves water, and reduces plant pests. It also provides a more sustainable approach to plant care, making it perfect for a range of indoors.
It is a smarter, more sustainable solution:
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reduces storage and transport
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cost effective
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supercharges your sustainability goals