Bottom Watering How To: What It Is and If You Should Be Doing It
If you’ve never heard of bottom watering you’re probably thinking great, have I been watering my houseplants all wrong? And well the answer is, it depends.
Let’s start with the basics, what does bottom watering mean anyway? Bottom watering is the method of watering a plant from the bottom up by placing a potted plant in water for a period of time. Also called reverse watering, this method is simple, needs few supplies and offers many benefits.
What are some bottom watering benefits you ask? For one, it promotes strong root growth, as the roots will grow downward towards the water source. When you water your plants from the top, it can be difficult to saturate all of the soil, leaving the roots neglected and causes dry spots. Bottom watering allows the soil to be saturated uniformly which can help lengthen the time between waterings.
Since this method focuses on the roots, the top layer of soil never becomes wet or damp. This helps prevent those pesky gnats. It also takes the guess work out of how much water you need. With proper bottom watering, you cannot overwater your plant because the soil will simply soak up as much as it needs. Problem solved!
Follow the steps below for a foolproof bottom watering method.
- Start with a potted plant with drainage holes at the bottom
- Get a saucer or shallow bowl that will fit the pot and fill it with water
- Place your plant in the saucer or bowl and leave it to sit for about 15-20 mins #selfcare
- Remove the plant and dump the remaining water.
- Allow your plant to drain any excess water by placing it a sink or tub for about 5 mins. Or simply return it to the now empty saucer or bowl.
Tips & Tricks
Timing here is key. Bottom watering can potentially lead to root rot if you leave the pot submerged for too long (more than 15-20 mins) and/or don’t allow the excess water to drain out afterwards. As much as humans like a good soak, plants do not. So never bottom water overnight or for extended periods of time.
If you feel like it’s not working, it may be time to change the soil. Bottom watering does not work if the soil is too compacted or has too much clay.
Although almost all plants can benefit from it, the plants that like bottom watering the most are those that have leaves that are sensitive to water.
So, is bottom watering better? Should I bottom water my plants? Yes, considering all of the benefits, bottom watering is a great addition to your houseplant care routine. Just be sure to occasionally use the old school method, top watering, about once a month to flush the salt and mineral deposits that naturally occur over time.