TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taoyuan Agricultural Research and Extension Station under the Ministry of Agriculture has developed a smart irrigation system for small potted plants that automatically waters from the bottom, helping save water and labor.
The ministry said that potted plants are a key agricultural industry in northern Taiwan, generating NT$490 million (US$16 million) annually—nearly half of the nation’s output. Popular varieties such as Flaming Katy and Poinsettia are grown mainly for holiday demand, but production has been affected by climate change and labor shortages, per CNA.
In response, the institute developed a bottom-watering tray paired with the new irrigation system. This allows growers to water multiple potted flowers efficiently while preventing leaf-borne diseases and reducing the loss of fertilizers and pesticides.
The institute said that traditional watering requires handling each pot by hand, which takes a lot of time and effort. The tray, which works with pipes, valves, sensors, and controllers, is better suited to Taiwan’s growing conditions than the larger bottom-watering systems used overseas. It also addresses issues such as uneven plant heights and challenges in recycling irrigation water.
The ministry added the tray is 3D-printed and compatible with most irrigation pipelines. It can even travel with the potted plants to the market, supplying water from a small container to help maintain quality.
When soil moisture drops below 20%, the irrigation system automatically waters the plants twice, about one minute each time. After watering, it notifies farmers and records the data in Google Sheets to monitor plant conditions. Compared with manual watering, the system saves 84% of water, 90% of labor, and more than half of fertilizers and pesticides.
According to the ministry, Taiwan’s potted plant industry covered 1,168 hectares in 2024, mainly in Changhua, Taoyuan, and Chiayi, with an annual output of around NT$990 million. The sector has shifted from labor-intensive methods to automation, using e-commerce platforms to expand markets and promoting organic cultivation.
