Water is the lifeblood of your plants, but how it leaves the soil is pure physics. When you water, moisture is lost in two main ways: it's pulled up through the roots and "breathed" out by leaves (**transpiration**), and it evaporates directly from the soil surface. We call this combined effect **evapotranspiration**.

Our model evaluates the variables that speed up or slow down this process:

• 01 Container Material: Porous pots like terracotta breathe, allowing water to escape from the sides and drying soil faster. Plastic or glazed ceramic pots lock moisture in for longer.
• 02 Soil Composition: Sandy or "chunky" soils have large gaps that let water drain rapidly, while heavy clay-based soils hold onto it like a sponge.
• 03 Heat & Light: Bright sun and warm air act like a vacuum, pulling moisture out of leaves and soil surface at a much higher rate.
• 04 Drainage: Without a way for excess water to escape, roots can drown in "dead" water that lacks oxygen, leading to anaerobic decay (root rot).