How RainSpike™ Works
Water passively after it rains
RainSpike™ helps your thirstiest plants access water for longer — with no hoses, timers, electricity, pumps, batteries, or apps.
- Catch rain near thirsty plants with a large 10″ collection dish
- Help plants access water for longer using slow-release, porous terracotta clay
- Reduce manual watering between storms by storing rainwater and gradually releasing it into the surrounding soil
- Encourage roots to grow toward a steady water source with water delivered into the root zone
- Blend naturally into gardens, planters, raised beds, and crop fields with earth-toned, natural terracotta clay
- Use with your favorite pot for a clean, intentional look by placing the RainSpike™ directly beneath or beside it
Catch rain above, help plants below
RainSpike™ uses a simple terracotta dish and tapered spike to turn rainfall into passive irrigation.
The simple version
- Rain lands on the dish
- Water flows into the RainSpike™
- Nearby plants grow roots toward the porous clay
The result
- Less watering, less often
- More useful rainfall
- A steadier water source for thirsty plants
- Less irrigation clutter
- A more passive way to grow
Step 1: Catch rain where it falls
The exposed 10-inch dish sits at soil level and helps collect rainwater near your plants.
- Rainwater lands on the wide terracotta dish
- The dish sits flat at the soil surface
- Water naturally runs toward the center opening
- The dish helps make rainfall more useful
- The visible terracotta surface blends into the garden
Step 2: Funnel water into the spike
The center opening directs rainwater into the buried RainSpike™ below.
- Water flows toward the center
- The opening leads into the tapered terracotta spike
- The spike sits below the soil surface
- The setup works passively once filled
- No hoses, timers, pumps, batteries, apps, or electricity required
Step 3: Help plants access water for longer
Nearby plants can grow roots toward the porous terracotta and draw from it over time.
- Thirsty plants grow toward the water source
- Porous clay helps nearby soil stay more available to roots
- Plants can keep accessing water after rainfall has passed
- You can water less, less often
- Your garden gets a simple, passive support system
Install RainSpike™ in minutes
Bury the spike, level the dish, cover the opening, and let rain do more of the work.
1. Choose a thirsty plant or planting area
Start where passive watering would help most:
- A plant that dries out quickly
- A raised bed
- A large planter
- A container garden
- A sunny garden edge
- A crop row or growing area
- A plant you constantly remember to water too late
2. Bury the tapered spike
- Dig a hole for the spike
- Place the spike below the soil surface
- Avoid forcing terracotta into hard or compacted soil
- Backfill gently to hold RainSpike™ steady
3. Keep the dish level with the soil
- The dish should sit flat
- The center opening should remain accessible
- Rainwater should be able to flow inward
- Nearby roots should be able to grow toward the spike
4. Cover the center opening
- Use a pot
- Use rocks
- Use mulch
- Use a potted plant
- Use a decorative garden object
- Use a small planter that helps funnel rain
5. Watch, refill, and adjust
- Check nearby plants
- Refill manually during dry weather
- Notice where plants respond best
- Move or add RainSpikes as needed
Cover it with a pot you already love
Our favorite method is placing a terracotta pot over the RainSpike™ opening.
- The pot covers the center opening
- Rainwater can still flow through the drainage hole
- The setup looks cohesive and intentional
- The pot can hold rocks, decorative material, soil, or a shallow-rooted plant
- The cover helps reduce evaporation, debris, and visual clutter
Placement Tip
Place RainSpikes in groups and gradients
RainSpikes work best when you group 2 or 3 tightly, then space additional RainSpikes outward.
Start near the thirstiest area
Watch how your plants respond, then adjust the spacing over time.
Create your watering gradient
- Group 2 or 3 RainSpikes tightly near your thirstiest area
- Place additional RainSpikes farther out at slightly increasing distances
- Create a watering gradient so plants can show you what they prefer
- Watch whether plants perform better closer to or farther from the group
- Move RainSpikes easily if less concentrated areas perform better
It is difficult to estimate a plant’s exact water needs before seeing how it responds.
That is why we recommend creating a gradient:
- Start with 2 or 3 RainSpikes close together
- Add more RainSpikes slightly farther away
- Monitor plant growth, leaf health, and soil moisture
- Adjust placement as your plants respond
Because RainSpike™ is designed as a tapered spike, it is easy to remove and relocate as your garden changes.
Buy with clear expectation
RainSpike™ helps reduce watering effort, but your plants still depend on weather, soil, and care.
- RainSpike™ is not a magic “never water again” device
- Refill frequency varies by plant, soil, season, rainfall, and sun exposure
- Very sandy soil may drain quickly
- Very compacted soil may limit moisture movement
- Hard water may leave mineral buildup over time
- Freezing conditions may require seasonal care