PURPOSE: A water holding carrier for plants is provided for water holding properties equivalent to those of a polyacrylic salt hydrogel and not to hinder rooting and/or root spread substantially. CONSTITUTION: A water holding carrier for plants includes a polyacrylic salt hydrogel with a calcium ion absorption of less than 50 mg per gram of dry weight and a water absorption capacity of at least 100 times the volume of the carrier as determined in ion exchanged water (room temperature: 25.°C). The hydrogel has a carboxyl group. The use of the above carrier makes it possible to provide enough water to plants while protecting the plants from calcium deficiency.
