Project Brief
To keep plants healthy and vibrant using rain water or tap water, reduce evaporation, and keep plants watered for two weeks without having to interact with the plant.
My Role
One of a seven-person team, and the only Industrial Designer.
Background
Rootine was developed as the final capstone project of my Master of Product Design and Development Management at Northwestern University. I was part of the Green team, a group of 7 multidisciplinary individuals. We have a passion for sustainability and wanted to develop a product that saves water, time, and encourages engagement with the natural world.
We developed Rootine to encourage people to have gardens, grow food, and enjoy their plants without the upkeep and intimidation that comes with gardening. We set out to make an easy and intuitive product that can make even the most novice of gardeners succeed.
Note: this product never became commercially available
We developed Rootine to encourage people to have gardens, grow food, and enjoy their plants without the upkeep and intimidation that comes with gardening. We set out to make an easy and intuitive product that can make even the most novice of gardeners succeed.
Note: this product never became commercially available
Opportunity Discovery
We interviewed and talked with people form all walks of life, age groups, and gardening knowledge to best understand what plants need to thrive, and why people have a hard time keeping their plants to stay alive. Through our interviews we found that people are busy and do not always have the time that their plants need. We learned that people love plants, and they bring them joy but the upkeep was sometimes too much.
Many plants require watering once to twice per day in the summer months. This high maintenance routine is hard to keep up, and aspiring gardeners inevitably end up with dead or struggling plants. It is common for advanced gardeners to use DIY workarounds to keep their plants watered. However, these methods are very involved and are not commercially available.
Many people under or over water their plants causing them to struggle.
Many people under or over water their plants causing them to struggle.
Concept Development
From this research we began to think through how to solve the age old problem of how to keep your plants nourished and healthy?
We started drawing, experimenting, and brain storming to develop our idea.
We started drawing, experimenting, and brain storming to develop our idea.
During our research and brainstorming efforts we found an ancient technology called Olla irrigation.
Olla irrigation works by burying an unglazed clay pot next to a plant, then filling the pot with water. Moisture will then slowly migrate through the pot and into the soil.
We hypothesized that this simple technology could also work in reverse. In other words, the water surrounding the plant could seep through the clay into the plant's roots.
Olla irrigation works by burying an unglazed clay pot next to a plant, then filling the pot with water. Moisture will then slowly migrate through the pot and into the soil.
We hypothesized that this simple technology could also work in reverse. In other words, the water surrounding the plant could seep through the clay into the plant's roots.
Product Testing &
Consumer Validation
Rootine proof of concept
2 tomato plants were planted at the same time and given same amount of light
The plant on the left used the reversed Olla watering technique
The plant on the right was watered once a day
This shows that not only did the plant on the left stay healthy with our new watering method, it flourished!
2 tomato plants were planted at the same time and given same amount of light
The plant on the left used the reversed Olla watering technique
The plant on the right was watered once a day
This shows that not only did the plant on the left stay healthy with our new watering method, it flourished!
Product Opportunity Gap Analysis - Looking into competitive product and Identifying where there is a gap in the market place. Then determining how we have best fill that gap.
We conducted an online survey to validate consumer interest in a product like this and confirm that consumers are interested in a product to help make caring for their plant easier.
Final Concept Development
During our final consumer research and concept testing we identified the following key features our self maintain planter should have:
- Add to your homes curb appeal
- require no maintenance/water for 2 weeks
- Customization moisture levels
- Slow water transfer
- Drainage for excess moisture in case of rain
- Store rain water
- Built from sustainable materials
The water surrounding the plant seeps through the clay into the plant's roots. This is accomplished by an outer and inner vessel with room for water storage in between.
Final Design
Rootine offers many advantages over even the toughest competitors:
Plants grow up to 3x faster with Rootine watering method over traditional watering.
Sustainable. Built with all sustainable and recyclable materials. Even the plastic shell is made of rice filled biopolymer.
Time saver. Plants only require watering about every 2 weeks.
Drainage. Other self-watering planters have a pool of water at the bottom of the planter, this keeps the soil moist, however it drowns the roots, stunting growth and eventually drowning the plant. Rootine has drain hole at the bottom of the planter, so if the soil becomes too wet or fills with rain the excess water will exit the planter, pulling oxygen through as it drains. This keeps the plants roots healthy and at an optimal moisture level.
Rainwater compatible. Rootine can be watered from anywhere around the terracotta pot, and can capture rainwater to reduce maintenance even further. This appeals to the segment of the market that is concerned with sustainability, and efficiently utilizing natural resources.
Made in the USA.
Plants grow up to 3x faster with Rootine watering method over traditional watering.
Sustainable. Built with all sustainable and recyclable materials. Even the plastic shell is made of rice filled biopolymer.
Time saver. Plants only require watering about every 2 weeks.
Drainage. Other self-watering planters have a pool of water at the bottom of the planter, this keeps the soil moist, however it drowns the roots, stunting growth and eventually drowning the plant. Rootine has drain hole at the bottom of the planter, so if the soil becomes too wet or fills with rain the excess water will exit the planter, pulling oxygen through as it drains. This keeps the plants roots healthy and at an optimal moisture level.
Rainwater compatible. Rootine can be watered from anywhere around the terracotta pot, and can capture rainwater to reduce maintenance even further. This appeals to the segment of the market that is concerned with sustainability, and efficiently utilizing natural resources.
Made in the USA.
Rootine brings a soft form and ties it together with organic elements. A Cedar frame ties the appearance of the planter back to natural elements and accents the plants growing inside, giving it a modern yet classic look that can add some life to any home. The metal screen, which allows water flow into its reservoir is an enlarged cross-section on a leaf cell structure. This gives the planter an unexpected yet pleasing visual detail.
Set-up Rootine in 3 Simple Steps
Add potting soil and plants, fill with water, and watch your plants thrive!
Simple eco-friendly corrugate packaging keeps all components secure and protected.
Customizable Membrane.To allow better control of the soil’s moisture, Rootine uses a unique membrane that can be customized to control the amount of water that is transferred to the soil.
