A material for maintaining hydration in plants, whether potted or in natural soils may include a substrate treated with a binder, securing a layer of hydrating particles thereto. Typical binders may include lignicite, or other naturally occurring materials such as sugars, molasses, corn syrup, gelatin, water, a combination, or the like. Substrates may include natural organic materials or inorganic materials. Various materials can serve as a hydrating, particulate coating. Polyacrylamide has been found to serve well in holding water near plants in a soil.
