Self-watering Plants

The world’s first ‘self-watering’ plant was discovered by a team of researchers led by Ne’em in Israel’s Negav desert – one of the driest regions on Earth. The study revealed that the Desert Rhubarb has a metre-wide giant leaves which can hold 16 times more water then other desert counterparts. It developed a unique ability to effectively water itself in its barren habitat. The plant’s large leaves are the key to its success. They are covered in microscopic streams through which water can be channelled. According to the scientists the ridges in the leaves act like mountain valleys, funneling the water slowly and directly into the plant while stopping it evaporating. It looks a though the leaves act like a mini irrigation system.

The self-irrigating mechanism enables the plant to harvest 16 times the amount to harvest 16 times the amount of water than otherwise expected for a plant in this region, which has an average rainfall of 75 mm. The desert Rhubarb, unlike other plants in the region, is able to harvest quantities of water that are closer to that of Mediterranean plants, reaching up to 426 mm per year.