Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question you don't see answered here? Email us at hi@cowbellplant.com, call or text us 24/7 at 1-888-98-PLANT, or reach out to us on Instagram!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Cowbell is unlike any other self-watering product you've used before!
Cowbell's pressure-regulated reservoir and lid valve keeps water suspended in a precise vacuum which means water doesn't drip by itself.
Cowbell's natural porcelain cone with precision-pore technology allows water to diffuse through only as your plant needs it.
Plant roots and soil draw water from Cowbell on-demand using natural biology and physics processes like root pressure, capillary action, cohesion tension and water diffusion.
Once the pressure inside the reservoir reaches a certain threshold, the lid valve automatically equalizes the pressure. This means your plant roots never have to work too hard to draw water from the reservoir, while also preventing Cowbell from dripping unnecessary water into your plant.
No over-watering! No root rot! No water waste!
Science is awesome.
Great question! Watering globes empty out in a few days while Cowbell can last over 2 weeks, making it the longest-lasting self-watering device out there. Watering globes usually also have a constant drip speed because their reservoirs are not air-tight.
Cowbell's patent-pending pressure-regulated airtight lid and watering spike combination allow plants to drink on-demand when thirsty.
We know every plant is unique so Cowbell does not have a constant drip speed. That means it will not over-water your plants.
Our technology lets plants drink on-demand based on hundreds of factors unique to your plant and its environment.
On average, one 750mL Cowbell Classic should keep your plant hydrated for 2 weeks or longer, in a 6"-8" diameter planter.
On average, one 250mL Cowbell Mini should keep your plant hydrated for 2 weeks or longer, in a 3"-5" diameter planter.
Less thirsty plants in smaller containers could drink one Cowbell in over a month. Thirstier plants in larger containers could drink one Cowbell in a week.
Plants drink less when indoors versus outdoors.
Plants drink less in winter (cooler weather, dormancy) versus spring/summer (hotter weather, active growth).
Cowbell does not have any electrical components and only uses the magic of natural physics and plant biology!
Cowbell sets up in minutes out of the box. You do not need to download any apps to use Cowbell.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
Plants and planters are not included. When you order a Cowbell Classic Self-Watering Kit, you will receive one Cowbell which includes a watering spike, a reservoir, a pressure-regulating lid, and a smooth lid without a valve. You can use Cowbell with any potted plant.
We're happy to help recommend plants if you're new to houseplants! Just email us at hi@cowbellplant.com or call/text 1-888-98-PLANT.
You shouldn't have to replace the spike for at least 1 year with daily use under normal conditions.
However, if you have extremely hard water or are adding something other than pure water to your Cowbell reservoir, we recommend washing/scrubbing your spike every few months or if you notice performance start to slow. The Cowbell spike is also dishwasher safe.
There is a one year warranty on all Cowbell components.
The Cowbell Mini works best for plants in 3-5 inch planters. The Cowbell Classic works best for plants in up to 14 inch planters. If your plant is much bigger than this, we don't yet have a product for you, but we're working on it!
Our technology also works well with any plant that grows in a soil-based medium. (The medium needs to be able to grip the ceramic spike since water does not drip out by itself from Cowbell).
We do not recommend Cowbell for very loose substrates such as leca clay balls or bark-based loose orchid mixes.
You are certainly welcome to help us experiment, and if it doesn't work, we're happy to refund your purchase.
If you're new to houseplants and would like recommendations, feel free to email us at hi@cowbellplant.com or text us at 1-888-98-PLANT.
Yes! Cowbell works indoors and outdoors and is best for container plants or patio plants.
If you are using Cowbells in a container garden or in a larger planter, your plant may finish its Cowbell in less than 2 weeks.
Please refer to our size guide for the Cowbell Classic 750mL.
Every plant has different thirst needs, which is also highly dependent on the type of soil it lives in, the type of container it lives in, as well as the surrounding temperature and humidity.
In general, one 750 mL Cowbell should keep most pre-watered houseplants in up to 8" planters hydrated for at least 2 weeks. Two 750 mL Cowbells should keep houseplants in up to 10" planters (3-4 gallons) hydrated for at least 2 weeks. One 250mL Cowbell Mini should keep most pre-watered houseplants in 3-5" planters hydrated for up to 2 weeks.
Your Cowbell may require a refill before 2 weeks if your plant has been chronically underwatered or is in full direct sun, or outdoors.
Your Cowbell will not overwater your plant. Plants trained on Cowbell only drink when thirsty. That means more Cowbells per plant offers more even water distribution and keeps your plant hydrated longer.
We recommend more Cowbells if your plant is tropical or flowering.
It depends. The Mini has an approximately 2 inch radius of water diffusion. If you have a plant with a single trunk in a bigger than 5 inch planter, you can put the Mini near the main trunk or main root ball, and it will work fine. However, we do not recommend doing this if the trunk is thicker than 2 inches as your plant could risk being underwatered.
You can also use several Minis inside a very wide planter as long as the main root system is less than 6" deep.
Note that using your Mini inside a larger than 5" pot could cause it to deplete faster than 2 weeks.
Remember to always water before using your Cowbells each time, especially if you let your soil dry out between refills.
The Cowbell spike is only compatible with the Cowbell reservoir and pressure-regulating lid system.
Because Cowbells do not drip water on their own (unlike other drip irrigation systems), Cowbells need soil-based or dense moss-based substrates to form a suction around the spike.
Orchids that live in soil or moss can be self-watered with Cowbells. Orchids that live in bark-heavy or loose substrates will be underwatered on the Cowbell system.
Because Cowbells do not drip water on their own, it is different from drip irrigation systems that drip slowly on a set cadence. We find that drip irrigation systems are better for outdoor garden beds or larger format landscapes.
Houseplants tend to be over-watered using drip irrigation methods.
We developed Cowbell's patent-pending technology to avoid over-watering.
Our technology lets plants drink on-demand based on hundreds of factors unique to your plant and its environment.
On average, one 750mL Cowbell Classic should keep your plant hydrated for 2 weeks or longer, in a 6"-8" diameter planter.
On average, one 250mL Cowbell Mini should keep your plant hydrated for 2 weeks or longer, in a 3"-5" diameter planter.
Less thirsty plants in smaller containers could drink one Cowbell in over a month. Thirstier plants in larger containers could drink one Cowbell in a week.
Plants drink less when indoors versus outdoors.
Plants drink less in winter (cooler weather, dormancy) versus spring/summer (hotter weather, active growth).
Yes. As long as the fibers can absorb water and create suction around the Cowbell spike, these substrates will work great.
Unfortunately loose bark and gravel are usually not absorbent enough to create the suction needed to draw water out of the Cowbell system.
If you have a new or unique substrate mix and would like to experiment with us, we are happy to gift you a Cowbell in exchange for your detailed findings. Just reach out to us at hi@cowbellplant.com.
HOW TO USE YOUR COWBELL
1. Check the plant size guide included in your unit to make sure the 750mL Cowbell is suitable for your container. In general, one 750mL Cowbell will work for houseplants in 6"-8" diameter planters for at least 2 weeks. Two 750mL Cowbells will work for 8-11" diameter planters for at least 2 weeks.
2. Please water your plant before using Cowbell, as our watering spike works best in moist soil-based media.
3. Twist and tighten the watering spike onto the water reservoir to ensure an airtight seal.
4. Plant the watering spike and reservoir into damp soil close to the plant trunk or main root system. (Pro tip: If you're running out of space in your planter, you can even bury the straight side of the spike and reservoir flush against the plant, and rest the heavier side of the reservoir on the planter's edge.)
5. Fill your reservoir with water. (Pro tip: Plants love fresh, filtered water!)
6. Leave the lid off and let the Cowbell spike saturate and settle into your plant for 10-15 minutes. (Pro tip: If you haven't watered your plant in awhile, we recommend leaving the lid off for 30 minutes or until water starts to drip from the drainage hole in your plant, so the soil has a good drink.)
7. Top up with any drained water and press the lid firmly onto the reservoir to ensure an airtight vacuum seal. Make sure the lid is pressed down until you can no longer see the silicone seal. (Note: The lid will not sit all the way flush. The small gap under the lid is for your finger to easily lift it later.)
Common Troubleshooting #1: Please note that it’s normal for Cowbell to deplete in less than 2 weeks on the first use, especially if your plant is extremely thirsty or hasn’t been thoroughly watered in awhile. As long as you have properly vacuum-sealed your Cowbell, there is no risk of overwatering. Simply refill, and your Cowbell should gradually stabilize to last ~2 weeks.
Common Troubleshooting #2: If your Cowbell is draining in less than a day in a smaller than ~8" planter, or there is water escaping from your drainage hole, there is likely a leak! Please check that your spike and lid are sealed otherwise the reservoir will not be in a vacuum and the Cowbell system may drain faster than your plant's thirst needs.
You may have received our signature Cowbell Valve Lid along with a Smooth Lid (no valve) with your Cowbell.
The Smooth Lid provides a stronger vacuum than the Valve Lid.
While we recommend using the Valve Lid with your plants first, if you find that your plants are getting too much water for whatever reason (eg you overwatered before using Cowbell, you have a terracotta pot that wicks water very quickly), we recommend using the Smooth Lid.
The Smooth Lid can also be used during troubleshooting to test whether or not you have properly vacuum-sealed your Cowbell spike.
We recommend anchoring the spike until the entire Cowbell does not wobble around in your pot.
This usually means burying the spike until you can no longer see the top of the spike.
Bury the spike as close to the plant trunk or main root systems as possible. If your plant has deep established root systems or are somewhat root bound, we recommend burying your spike all the way into the container until you can no longer see the top of the spike at all.
If you gently anchor the spike into your container, your roots won't be damaged. But if you feel any significant resistance, you can find another spot in the container.
If there are no spots in your container without resistance, you might need to repot your plant!
We recommend filling your reservoir with clean, filtered water. If you wish to use another liquid solution (like adding fertilizer solution), there is the possibility that non-soluble particles could plug the watering spike and slow down your plant's ability to drink from Cowbell.
We suggest making sure anything you add to reservoir dissolves clear and is fully water soluble.
If you add anything other than water to your reservoir, and you find that your spike is no longer diffusing well, please twist the spike off and put the spike in the dishwasher. Or scrub the inside and outside of the spike well with a brush.
Note: Your spike is dishwasher safe, but your Cowbell reservoir is not.
Cowbell does not need to be cleaned regularly to work. But if you'd like for it to look pristine, it is easy to clean!
If you use Cowbell outdoors or in direct sun, or if you fill your Cowbell with rainwater, you may find some natural green algae growth in the reservoir after 1-2 months.
We recommend twisting off the spike and using a bottle brush or squeegee to clean the reservoir with soap and water.
The spike and ceramic cone are dishwasher safe but you can also rinse it by hand or clean it with a scrub brush if you find that anything has plugged the ceramic cone.
We don't recommend putting the reservoir in the dishwasher as it will cause warping at extremely high temperatures.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Please note that it’s normal for Cowbell to deplete in less than 2 weeks on the first use, especially if your plant is extremely thirsty or hasn’t been thoroughly watered in awhile. As long as you have properly vacuum-sealed your Cowbell, there is no risk of overwatering. Simply refill, and your Cowbell should gradually stabilize to last ~2 weeks or longer.
If you're using Cowbell in a larger-than-recommended planter, it will deplete faster. For example, one 750mL Cowbell in a larger than 10" planter could deplete faster than 2 weeks especially if used outdoors in full summer sun. Please refer to our size guide.
If your Cowbell is draining in less than 24 hours, please check for leaks. Follow the next menu below on how to check for leaks.
If your Cowbell is draining in 24-48 hours, or there is water escaping from your drainage hole, there could be a
leak!
To check for leaks, we recommend filling your Cowbell with water, sealing it, and then putting the entire unit in an empty container overnight.
Please check that your spike is completely twisted on until you can twist no more and you can no longer see the silicone ring around the bottleneck.
The lid should be pushed down until you can no longer see the silicone gasket on the lid.
There should not be more than a few tablespoons of water pooled in the empty container after 24 hours. If there is significant leakage, please email hi@cowbellplant.com or text/call 1-888-98-PLANT for live troubleshooting help. We promise we will make it right.
If you notice your Cowbell hasn't diffused any water in the first few days of set-up, note that it could be because your soil is sufficiently moist and your plant is not thirsty. Your plant roots will draw water from the soil first before drinking from Cowbell.
Otherwise it's possible the soil near the spike is very dry and you may need to release the Cowbell lid for 15-30 minutes to restart the capillary action cycle which creates a hydration chain from root to soil to Cowbell spike.
Finally, please make sure that your Cowbell is positioned near the main root system or trunk of your plant. Positioning it close to the edge of the pot when the trunk is far away in the center will not form a strong capillary action which is necessary for your plant roots to absorb water from your Cowbell.
If you have been using your spike for longer than a few months and noticing your Cowbell watering more slowly, there could be a few reasons.
1) Is your plant dormant? Plants drink less water during dormancy or in winter months, and more water during growing season (Spring-Autumn). These fluctuations are normal.
2) Have you moved your plant from outdoors to indoors or from the sun to the shade? If so, plants will drink less indoors and in shade.
3) If you have made no changes whatsoever and you notice your plant is becoming dehydrated, it's possible your spike could be plugged from hard water or other solvents in the water. We recommend twisting the spike off and putting it in the dishwasher or cleaning the spike with a brush.
If the above do not address your concern, please email us at hi@cowbellplant.com or give us a call/text at 1-888-98-PLANT and we'll do our best to help troubleshoot live.
Your plant may not drink at the same speed every day. You may notice some days where no water has drained from your Cowbell, and other days where your plant drinks much more. This is normal.
If you notice 5-7 days of no water movement in your Cowbell, please reference the above section under "Troubleshooting".
SHIPPING & RETURNS
We ship out of our Miami warehouse using USPS or UPS.
In stock items ship same business day if order placed before 12pm ET (US). Items ship next business day if placed after 12pm ET (US).
If you choose Economy shipping, your Cowbells will be delivered between 5-8 business days within the US and Canada.
If you need faster, guaranteed shipping, you will see priority options during checkout.
Please let us know in the notes section at checkout if you have a date it must arrive by! We will do our very best to get it to you on time!
You will receive an email or text with tracking information when your Cowbells are picked up by UPS or USPS from our warehouse.
Contact us any time at hi@cowbellplant.com or 1-888-98-PLANT if you have any questions or concerns about your shipment.
We offer International Shipping to Canada, UK and most of Europe.
For UK and EU orders, we offer $35.00 flat rate shipping for orders up to $250.00 and $85.00 flat rate shipping for orders greater than $250.00.
If you do not see your country listed, please email us at hi@cowbellplant.com and we will work out a custom order for you!
Cowbell pre-pays all customs and duty fees, so you are not responsible for any additional fees.
The shipping price you see at Checkout is the final price you pay.
If you reside in Miami and would like to schedule a same day pick-up at our warehouse in Doral, please contact us directly via email or text/call.
hi@cowbellplant.com
1-888-98-PLANT
Enjoy peace of mind with our complimentary 30-day return policy.
Contact us using any method below and we will send you a pre-paid return label.
Please see Returns & Exchanges for more details.
Contact us any time at hi@cowbellplant.com or 1-888-98-PLANT if you have any questions or concerns!
We stand behind the quality of our products and will replace any components that are underperforming within one year of purchase.
If you have any issues with your Cowbell, please reach out to us at hi@cowbellplant.com and we'll do our best to make it right.
CONTACT US
Call: 1-888-98-PLANT (We are available from 9am - 6pm ET M-F)
Text: 1-888-98-PLANT (24/7)
Email: hi@cowbellplant.com
Write: 6303 Blue Lagoon Dr. Ste 400, Miami FL 33126
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