Ok so we all love a relaxing bath, but did you know that your plants also love a spa day? 🌱 Are you looking to simplify your watering regime? One of the easiest methods to take the guesswork out of plant care is watering from the bottom. If you want to keep your houseplants happy, healthy, and thriving, bottom watering is about to become your new best friend.

What Is Bottom Watering?

So, what exactly is bottom watering, and why should you care? Soil is absorbent - it holds moisture over a period of time. This mean that it can act like a wick, where it soaks up moisture and distributes it evenly throughout your houseplant pot. Bottom watering means that instead of pouring water from the top, the houseplant is soaked. This method allows the plant roots to drink up just the right amount of water they need, leaving no room for guesswork.

Bottom watering is perfect for beginner plant parents because it helps prevent common houseplant issues like overwatering, underwatering, and even those pesky fungus gnats. Trust us, your houseplants will love you for it!

Why Is Bottom Watering Good for Houseplants?

Before we jump into the step-by-step guide, let's talk about why bottom watering is such a smart move for your houseplants.

Bottom Watering Prevents Root Rot:

One of the most common mistakes new houseplant owners make is overwatering, which can lead to root rot. If you've ever noticed that your houseplant leaves turn mushy and brown, or a smell comes from the soil...that's root rot! The benefit of bottom watering is that it ensures that your houseplant's roots only absorb the water they need, reducing the risk of drowning.

Bottom Watering Gives Your Houseplant An Even Drink:

Ever notice that the top of the soil is wet, but the bottom remains bone-dry? It can be difficult to make sure that water doesn't just drain straight out of the pot of your houseplant. Bottom watering allows moisture to be evenly distributed throughout the soil, making sure every part of your houseplant’s roots gets the hydration it needs.

Bottom Watering Can Promote Stronger Houseplant Roots:

The roots of your houseplant will wander to where the moisture and nutrients are. Watering from the bottom, means that your houseplant's roots will naturally reach deeper to absorb water that's further down in the soil. This means that houseplant roots will be stronger. And strong roots = a healthier houseplant!

Bottom Watering Reduces Fungus Gnats In Houseplants:

Those tiny, annoying fungus gnats love moist topsoil (which is why we developed our best selling fungus gnat traps. Since bottom watering keeps the surface of your plant pot drier, it helps keep these houseplant pests at bay, making your indoor garden a more pleasant place.

How Do I Bottom Water My Houseplants?

Ready to give your houseplants the royal treatment? Here’s a step-by-step guide to bottom watering your indoor plants:

Step 1: Find the Right Container You'll need a container big enough to hold your plant pot and some water. A tray, basin, or even your kitchen sink will do the trick.

Step 2: Add Water And Grow Concentrate Fill your container with about 1-2 inches of water that has a good few squirts of our bioactive houseplant fertilizer. Make sure the water level is high enough to cover the drainage holes at the bottom of your houseplant’s pot.

Step 3: Submerge Your Plant Place your plant pot into the water. The goal is to let the plant roots soak up water through the drainage holes. Leave your houseplant to absorb water for about 10-20 minutes.

Step 4: Check the Soil After about 10 minutes, check the top of the soil. If it feels moist, your houseplant has absorbed enough water. If not, give it a few more minutes.

Step 5: Drain the Excess Once your houseplant has had its fill, remove the pot from the water and let it drain thoroughly. You don’t want any excess water sitting in the bottom of the pot, as this could lead to root rot.

Step 6: Monitor and Repeat How often you need to bottom water depends on your specific houseplant and environment. Check the soil regularly, and when the top inch feels dry, it’s time for another bottom watering session.

Pro Tips for Bottom Watering Your Houseplants

• Use Room Temperature Water: Remember that your houseplants can be a bit temperamental, and are affected by temperature changes. It's important to make sure the water you use is at room temperature to avoid putting your houseplant into shock.

• Not Every Houseplant Needs Bottom Watering: You're best to use this method on your tropical houseplants, who are used to consistently moist soil.  Houseplants like succulents and cacti prefer to have their soil dry out completely between waterings. Save bottom watering for your thirstier plants.

• Combine With Occasional Top Watering: It’s a good idea to occasionally water from the top to flush out any salts or minerals that might have built up in the soil.