Plant owners have likely encountered the term "bottom watering" concerning houseplant care. The method works by watering your plants using the drainage hole at the bottom rather than pouring water in from the top. There are many benefits to bottom watering, but there are also some downsides worth considering. Here is a basic guide to the pros and cons of bottom-watering your plants:
Pros
Avoid Excess Surface Moisture
Some plants benefit from bottom watering because it keeps excess water away from the leaves. Succulents, for example, can wither or mildew if their leaves are exposed to water for too long. Other plants with tender foliage like inch plants and peperomias will also suffer if water is allowed to sit for too long on the leaves. Bottom-watering removes this issue entirely.
Strengthen Roots
Bottom watering can strengthen and encourage root growth. As the moisture saturates the soil through the bottom of the pot, the plant's roots will actively try to get to it. While a slow process, this "reaching" behavior can benefit the plant in the long term and speed up its growth.
Plants Control Their Intake
While it's still possible to overwater from the bottom, it's far less likely to happen as the plant will simply stop absorbing water when it's had enough to drink. The opposite is also true: an extremely dry and thirsty plant will absorb water quickly, which can tell you about its regular water needs.
Cons
Very Slow Process
Bottom-watering takes a long time. For a plant in a standard 6-inch growers pot, you may need to let it sit in water for over 30 minutes depending on the potting mix you use. Some plants are slow drinkers and require an hour or more for adequate watering.
Inconvenient in Small Spaces
You need shallow vessels for your plants to soak in, which can take up precious space. Some plant owners get around this problem by filling the kitchen sink or even the bathtub with water and placing several plants together at once. While efficient for the plants, it's inconvenient for the humans.
Bottom watering is a favorite method of many houseplant owners, but it's certainly not required. Consider these points when deciding how best to water your own plants.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.