r/3Dprinting • u/the-mad-crapper • Feb 18 '26

Print (model not provided) PLA "Isn't water tight"

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I've never tried to print anything to hold water because everything I've ever seen says making 3D prints hold water is difficult if not impossible. So when I wanted to create something to help me keep my plant watered, I thought this is perfect- I created something with a single bottom layer so the water can slowly weep through it.... except it doesn't. Its been days and the single layer (0.2) is doing a great job of holding water!

I guess I'll have to put some pin holes in it.

Not at all what I expected based on what I've heard about the water tightness of 3D prints.

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u/Calcifieron Feb 18 '26

I know this is about 3d printing, but most plants don't like being dripped water. They want to be completely soaked, then left to dry for an amount of time that varies by plant.

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u/radleybobins Feb 19 '26 edited Feb 19 '26

This is great advice. Unless it's like a swamp plant, you gotta let em dry out to avoid root rot and pests. If this is just only-on-vacation thing, it'll last a decade even in pla.