Should I water my plants from the top or bottom?
Top watering
Top watering is the most common method. You pour water over the soil surface until it drains out the bottom. This mimics natural rain and helps flush out excess salts and minerals from the soil.
However, top watering can splash soil onto leaves, and wet foliage can promote fungal diseases, especially in plants like African violets. It can also be messy if the pot lacks drainage.
- Pros: easy, flushes soil, good for most plants
- Cons: can splash leaves, may be messy, not ideal for fuzzy-leaved plants
- Best for: most houseplants, especially those in large pots
Bottom watering
Bottom watering involves setting the pot in a tray of water and letting the soil soak up moisture through the drainage holes. After about 30 minutes, remove the pot and empty the tray. This method encourages roots to grow downward and keeps the foliage dry.
It's great for plants prone to leaf rot, like African violets and succulents. However, it doesn't flush salts from the soil, so you should occasionally top water or flush the soil to prevent buildup.
- Pros: keeps leaves dry, encourages deep roots, good for sensitive plants
- Cons: doesn't flush salts, can be time-consuming, not for large pots
- Best for: African violets, succulents, plants with fuzzy leaves
Common mistakes
- Thinking one method is always better; it depends on the plant and situation.
- Leaving a plant in a tray of water for hours, which can cause root rot.
- Never flushing the soil when only bottom watering, leading to salt buildup.
