An automatic plant watering apparatus and method for operating are disclosed. The apparatus includes a container configured to hold soil elements sufficient to support a plant, a base module configured to secure and support the container, a pump configured to move fluid from a reservoir of the base module to the container when selectively controlled, and a control system configured to selectively control the pump based upon user inputs and monitored time. The control system is configured to receive user inputs associated with time periods for water pumping to the container. The container and base module are connected whereat a drain hole is coupled to a piping structure of the base module.
