A water retention device for use with a plant container. The water retention device includes a plate structure including a central cover and a sidewall extending from a perimeter of the central cover, wherein the sidewall supports the central cover above a growth medium in the plant container. A trough is formed in the central cover for receiving water from a drip tube, wherein the trough includes a plurality of holes for the passage of water from the trough to the growth medium within the plant container.
