How (and Why) to Bottom-Water Your Plants
This lesser - known watering method is the overwatering plant parent’s saving grace.
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Most people water their plants from the top.
It’s intuitive. It’s easy. It just...seems to make sense.
But what many might not realize is that this popular watering method has some major drawbacks.
For one thing, many plant parents tend to absolutely drench their plants, which can lead to root rot and other issues. Then, some houseplant varieties, like African Violets, have fuzzy leaves that can become spotty and discolored if exposed to water. And for plants that are root-bound (or almost so), water administered from the top may run straight down the sides of the container as opposed to soaking into the soil, resulting in an under-watered plant.
For the vigilant plant parent, careful top watering might work out just fine. But for an alternative preferred by many plant experts, read on to learn all about bottom watering
The Case For Bottom Watering
In short, watering your plants from the bottom is more efficient. It allows your plant to soak up exactly the amount of moisture it needs, without running the risk of overwatering. It also makes for stronger roots, as the roots are constantly growing and reaching downwards towards the moisture.
Lastly, it ensures that the entire plant has had a satisfying drink: every inch of soil, down to the very last root.
How to Bottom Water Your Houseplants
When your plant is ready to be bottom watered, the top few inches of soil should be quite dry. Use a soil moisture sensor, or poke a finger in: if it feels dry down to the second knuckle, it’s go time.
First, make sure your container has ample drainage holes. No plant can sit in a bath of water indefinitely, and if the drainage is insufficient, you might eventually have a root rot situation on your hands.
Next, decide where you’ll be bottom watering. You’ll need a vessel that can hold about an inch of water, so a cookie sheet will suffice. Some plant parents take this task into the bathtub, another option we support so long as you resist the urge to use tap water.
Distilled or filtered water is preferable for bottom watering, as the chlorine in tap water is harmful to plants in large doses and your plant will be soaking in this water for a prolonged period.
Fill your container about half-way with distilled or filtered water and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, check your container to see if enough moisture has been absorbed. It should be lightly moist, up to the very top. If it’s not, add more water and let it soak for another 20 minutes or so. When you’re done, remove any excess water and carefully move your plant back to its original location.
And now, a few tips from our horticulturist:
● Never, ever let your plant sit in water for an extremely prolonged period of time. We’ve seen people keep their plants soaking overnight, but we’d advise against it.
● Once a month, you’ll want to wash the soil through from the top to eliminate any salt or minerals that may have built up on the surface.
● If your soil is particularly dry (like a cactus or succulent mix), be careful your container doesn’t float to the surface of the bath and topple over.
● Yes, you can add liquid soluble fertilizer when using the bottom watering method —just be careful not to stain your tub, sink or counter.
Bottom watering is our favorite method of ensuring our houseplants—especially our sensitive babies—get a full, satisfying drink. We encourage you to try bottom watering, and maybe even make it a regular part of your houseplant care routine.