There is described an irrigation apparatus for providing water to one or more plants (1) growing in a growing medium (3) contained in a pot or tray (4), the irrigation apparatus (6) comprising: a water container (9) mounted to a base (7) below the tray (4) for vertical movement between an upper position and a lower position; resilient means (10) mounted to the base (7) to urge the water container (9) toward the upper position; water supply means for supplying water to the water container, the water supply means including a control valve (12) having an open and a closed position for permitting and preventing flow of water into the water container (9), respectively; and operating means mounted to the water container (9) and operable to close the control valve (12) when the water container is in its lower position; the arrangement being such that when the water container (9) contains water and is in its lower position, the surface of the water in the water container is at a predetermined distance below the underside of the tray (4) supported on the base (7).