4 Benefits of Bottom Watering Houseplants

Remembering to water your houseplants regularly can be a challenge, so you may not be overly excited to hear that there is more than one way you can give them a drink. The good news is, the only wrong way to water plants is not to water them at all! But there might be a better way to ensure your plants are getting the soaking they need—bottom watering.

While bottom watering houseplants isn’t uncommon, it may not be a technique you’ve tried before. Most of the time, plant owners are instructed to water their indoor plants from the top down. While adequate, this can sometimes lead to problems that can be effectively mitigated with watering from the bottom up. Let’s see how!

What is bottom watering?
Like the name suggests, bottom watering means you’re giving your plants a soak from the base of the pot to the top of the soil. The process begins by placing the plant pot inside a larger container, then filling the container 2-3 inches high with water. Watering your plants from the bottom over a 10-15 minute period allows your houseplants to take in as much water as it needs. When the soil feels moist an inch below the surface, you know your plant has soaked long enough. The top soil will remain dry, but that’s okay. Here are the main benefits of bottom watering houseplants:

1. More thorough watering. Letting houseplants slowly soak water from the bottom up provides a more even and thorough watering. Often, top watering doesn’t provide enough coverage and can leave the bottom-most roots still dry. Bottom watering allows for greater control over how much they drink and provide a better watering overall.
2. Less soil compaction. Plants that are only watered from the top down can put unnecessary pressure on the soil. Over time, this soil becomes hard and compacted, making it more difficult or impassive for adequate water flow. Watering plants from the bottom helps avoid this risk while keeping your plants from suffering underwatering.
3. Stronger root system. Bottom watering introduces water to the roots faster and longer. This encourages the roots to grow downward as they should, instead of reaching up to water poured from the top. Well-watered roots better ensure strength and longevity for your indoor plant.
4. Reduced risk of pests. Common houseplant pests, like fungus gnats, accumulate and breed in the moist soil that results from top watering. Watering your plants from the bottom can help reduce the risk of attracting these pesky flies in the first place. While it won’t deter all pests, watering your plants from the bottom can prevent a lot of them!

Bottom watering your houseplants has numerous benefits, but don’t feel like this is your only option! This method is ideal for smaller plants or those that don’t like getting their leaves wet. But it’s also a good idea to occasionally water your plants from the top to flush out minerals or hard water deposits. What is your favorite way of watering and what benefits have you seen? Let me know in the comments!

XO,
Micah