Frequently asked questions
What are Water Beads?
Water beads are soft, water-absorbing crystals designed to expand when hydrated, growing to over 100 times their original size. Once expanded, they create a smooth, crystal-like appearance that adds texture and visual interest to hydro styling and decorative plant displays.
Perfect for use in Wanderlust Co. eco planters, water beads help support plant roots while retaining moisture within your vessel.
Our water beads are:
- Non-toxic
- Colourfast
- Lightweight and reusable
- Ideal for decorative hydro styling and plant displays
A small amount goes a long way — just a 10g packet of dry water beads expands to approximately 1.2 litres once fully hydrated. 🌿
How do you use Water Beads in Your Eco Planter?
Water beads are a beautiful and low-maintenance way to support hydro plant styling while adding texture and visual interest to your eco planter. Designed to
slowly retain and release moisture, they create a clean, modern alternative to
traditional soil-based planting.
Step 1 — Prepare the Water Beads
Rinse the dry water beads under clean running water to remove any dust or residue. Place them into a large bowl or container.
Step 2 — Hydrate the Beads
Add clean water and allow the beads to expand for several hours. Stir occasionally to ensure even hydration. Once fully expanded, drain and discard any excess water. The beads should grow to approximately the size of small marbles.
Step 3 — Prepare Your Eco Planter
Select your Wanderlust Co. eco planter and ensure it is clean and ready for styling. Water beads work beautifully in wall-mounted, and tabletop glass vessels.
Step 4 — Position Your Plant
Add a small layer of hydrated beads to the base of the planter. Gently position your plant cutting or roots into the vessel, ensuring the roots sit comfortably amongst the beads. Carefully add additional beads around the roots for support, avoiding the stem or foliage.
Step 5 — Add Water & Style
Add a small amount of fresh water to the base of the vessel and place your eco planter in a bright, indirect light position. Refresh water as needed and enjoy watching your greenery thrive naturally in its new hydro environment. 🌿
Please note: Water beads are not recommended for use within the Wanderlust Co. Suspended Eco Planter Range due to vessel shape and weight distribution.
Water Bead Care & Maintenance
To keep your water beads looking fresh and performing beautifully within your Wanderlust Co. Eco Planter, we recommend the following care:
Refresh and rinse the beads weekly to maintain cleanliness and clarity. A very small amount of gentle hand sanitiser or mild soap may be used when rinsing.
Over time, water beads may naturally shrink as moisture evaporates. Simply soak them in clean water to rehydrate and restore their original size.
For best longevity, avoid allowing the beads to completely dry out for extended periods.
Disposal
When no longer required, unwanted water beads can be broken down into a soft gel-like consistency and dispersed throughout compost or garden soil. Do not dispose of beads down sinks or drains.
Important Safety Information
Water beads are not a toy and are not suitable for children or pets.
Keep out of reach of children and animals at all times.
Product is NON-TOXIC but is not suitable or fit for human or animal consumption.
Do not ingest or place in the mouth.
If swallowed, seek immediate medical attention.
Avoid contact with drains, sinks, or toilets as expanded beads may cause blockages.
For decorative use only.
Adult supervision is recommended when used around children.
Biodegradable
Our water beads are crafted using high-quality water-absorbing polymers designed to gradually biodegrade over time. Created for decorative hydro styling and reusable plant displays, they offer a long-lasting yet environmentally mindful alternative for modern plant care and vessel styling. 🌿
How much water do I put in my eco planter?
How much hydro food do I put in my eco planter?
How often do I change the water in my eco planter?
We recommend changing the water very 7–10 days to keep it fresh and oxygenated. While changing the water, give your glass vessel a quick rinse to remove any mineral build-up or algae, and check that your plant's roots remain healthy.
For best results:
- Use clean, room-temperature water.
- Keep the water level just high enough to cover the roots—not the stem.
- Add Wanderlust Co. Hydro Food pebbles every 10-12 weeks to provide essential nutrients and encourage healthy growth.
With regular water changes and a bright, indirect light position, your hydro-grown plants will thrive.
Can I buy plants from you online?
Can I use tap water?
Yes! Most hydro-grown plants thrive in ordinary tap water.
If your tap water is heavily chlorinated, it's a good idea to let it sit in an open container for 12–24 hours before adding it to your planter. This allows much of the chlorine to dissipate. Alternatively, filtered or rainwater can also be used if available.
For the healthiest plants:
- Change the water every 7–10 days.
- Keep the water level covering the roots, not the stem.
- Feed your plant with Wanderlust Co. Hydro Food pebbles every 10-12 weeks.
These simple steps will help keep your plants healthy and your glass vessel looking its best.
Are your products suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! Wanderlust Co. eco planters are designed to make plant care simple, enjoyable, and rewarding—whether you're buying your very first plant or adding to an established collection.
Hydroponic growing is often easier than traditional soil gardening. Without soil, there's less mess, fewer pests, and no guesswork about when to water. You can also see the roots through the glass, making it easy to monitor your plant's health.
To help your plants thrive, simply:
- Place your planter in bright, indirect light.
- Change the water every 7–10 days.
- Feed your plant with Wanderlust Co. Hydro Food pebbles every 10–12 weeks.
Each Wanderlust Co. planter is designed to bring the beauty of nature into your home with minimal maintenance, making it the perfect choice for beginners and experienced plant lovers alike.
Which plants grow best in Wanderlust Co. vessels?
Wanderlust Co. vessels are designed for a wide variety of plants that thrive in water. Many popular indoor plants adapt beautifully to hydroponic growing, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced plant lovers.
Some of our favourites include:
- Pothos (Devil's Ivy)
- Philodendrons
- Syngoniums (Arrowhead Plant)
- Peace Lilies
- Anthuriums
- Lucky Bamboo
- Copper Coin Plant
- Monstera cuttings
- Spider Plants
- Tradescantia
- Aglaonema
For best results, place your planter in bright, indirect light, change the water every 7–10 days, and feed your plant with Wanderlust Co. Hydro Food pebbles every 10–12 weeks.
Not sure which plant to choose? Visit one of our market stalls, where we'd be happy to help you select the perfect plant for your new eco planter.
Are your products suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! Wanderlust Co. eco planters are designed to make plant care simple, enjoyable, and rewarding—whether you're buying your very first plant or adding to an established collection.
Hydroponic growing is often easier than traditional soil gardening. Without soil, there's less mess, fewer pests, and no guesswork about when to water. You can also see the roots through the glass, making it easy to monitor your plant's health.
To help your plants thrive, simply:
- Place your planter in bright, indirect light.
- Change the water every 7–10 days.
- Feed your plant with Wanderlust Co. Hydro Food pebbles every 10–12 weeks.
Each Wanderlust Co. planter is designed to bring the beauty of nature into your home with minimal maintenance, making it the perfect choice for beginners and experienced plant lovers alike.
Can I use soil instead of water?
Our eco planters are specifically designed for hydroponic (water-grown) plants and are not intended for use with soil.
Growing plants in water allows you to enjoy a cleaner, low-maintenance alternative to traditional pot plants. The clear glass design also showcases the beauty of the plant's root system, creating a unique living display.
If you're transitioning a plant from soil to water, it's important to gently remove all soil from the roots before placing it into your eco planter. Once established, simply change the water every 7–10 days and feed your plant with Wanderlust Co. Hydro Food pebbles every 10–12 weeks to keep it healthy and thriving.
How do I clean my glass vessel?
Keeping your glass vessel clean is easy and helps your plants look their best.
We recommend giving your vessel a quick clean every time you change the water (approximately every 7–10 days) to prevent mineral build-up and algae.
For best results:
- Empty the water and remove the plant carefully.
- Rinse the vessel with warm water.
- Use a soft sponge or a Wanderlust Co. Hydro Vessel Sponge to gently clean the inside of the glass.
- If needed, use a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid, then rinse thoroughly before refilling with fresh water.
- Avoid abrasive scourers or harsh chemicals, as they may scratch or damage the glass.
Once cleaned, refill with fresh water, return your plant, and feed your plant with Wanderlust Co. Hydro Food pebbles every 10–12 weeks to keep it healthy and thriving.
Can I purchase plants online?
At this time, live plants are only available at our pop-up market stalls and are not sold through our online store.
This allows us to personally select healthy, high-quality plants and ensure they arrive in the best possible condition. It's also a great opportunity for us to help you choose the perfect plant for your Wanderlust Co. vessel and provide personalised care advice.
Our online store offers our full range of glass eco planters, accessories, and plant care products, all delivered Australia-wide.
If you're looking for a plant to pair with one of our vessels, visit us at one of our pop-up market stalls—we'd love to help you find the perfect match. 🌿
Do your vessels come with a plant?
Our online store sells glass eco planters and accessories only, so plants are not included with online purchases.
If you visit one of our pop-up market stalls, you can choose from our selection of live plants and have one professionally paired with your chosen vessel. Our team is always happy to recommend the best plant for your space and provide advice on caring for your new hydro-grown plant.
Whether you purchase online or at one of our markets, our vessels are designed to beautifully showcase a wide variety of water-grown plants, allowing you to create your own unique living display. 🌿
Do you ship Australia-wide?
Yes! We ship Australia-wide, so you can enjoy Wanderlust Co. products no matter where you live.
All online orders are carefully packed to ensure your glass vessels arrive safely. Once your order has been dispatched, you'll receive a tracking number so you can follow its journey to your door.
Please note that live plants are only available at our pop-up market stalls and are not shipped with online orders.
For more information about delivery timeframes, shipping costs, and our shipping policy, please visit our Shipping Policy page.
What if my glass arrives damaged?
While we take great care in packaging every order, we understand that accidents can occasionally happen during transit.
If your glass vessel arrives damaged, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery and include:
- Your order number.
- A photo of the damaged item.
- A photo of the packaging (if possible).
Once we've reviewed your claim, we'll arrange a replacement or an appropriate solution as quickly as possible.
We want you to shop with confidence and are committed to ensuring your Wanderlust Co. experience is a positive one from start to finish. 🌿
Do you offer wholesale pricing?
Yes. Wanderlust Co. offers wholesale pricing to approved stockists across a range of business types.
If you're interested in stocking our products, please get in touch with us for more information about our wholesale range, pricing, minimum order quantities, and stockist terms.
We’d love to hear from you.
How do I become a Wanderlust Co. stockist?
Becoming a Wanderlust Co. stockist is easy.
Simply complete the enquiry form on our Become a Stockist page or contact us directly. Tell us a little about your business, and we'll send you our wholesale information, including our product catalogue, pricing, minimum order quantities, and ordering process.
We welcome enquiries from a wide range of businesses, including:
- Gift shops
- Florists
- Garden centres and nurseries
- Homewares and lifestyle stores
- Interior design studios
- Boutique retailers
- Plant and specialty stores
We're always looking to partner with businesses that share our passion for beautiful design, sustainability, and bringing nature into everyday spaces. We look forward to working with you! 🌿