As a snake plant owner, you’ve probably heard of bottom watering plants…
…at one time and wondered whether you should do it.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about bottom watering plants.
However, did you know that this method is good for your snake plant?
But given that they (re: snake plants) were designed to live outside in the ground and in accordance with Mother Nature, if we decide to foster them inside, we have to take care to treat them well. And one of the ways in which we mess up the most is with watering.
Melissa Breyer, Editorial Director of Tree Hugger
Here I am going to teach you about Bottom Watering…
…it’s awesome for people who have a big question mark about the right way to water their plants.
Watering at the bottom of the plant is a lot like Free Range Parenting…
….you let the plant choose how much to drink and how to use it.
Here is the story from Mike of using this bottom watering method for his snake plant!
Let us hear Mike’s story…
I like experimenting with new things with my houseplants…
… especially if those experiments will eventually be part of my day-to-day routine.
Anything that may benefit me even more is sure something worth the time to try…
So I heard about bottom watering and got curious as to what it meant…
I thought bottom watering is when you water your plants from the bottom…
… like from the drainage hole or something.
Turns out that bottom watering is exactly that, but not literally watering from the hole…
Only watering in a container filled with water…
After I tried it myself, I fell in love with this method…
Why? Because it assured me that my plants get the proper amount of watering…
Particularly for my snake plants…
… I want them to get all the love they deserve for providing me with better air quality!
Let’s go to the main things…
What Is Bottom Watering?
Bottom watering is exactly what it sounds like water your plants from the bottom…
….by keeping them in a container of water (or a saucer) for a period of time and allowing them to soak up water.
Top watering involves watering from the top with a watering can, faucet, etc.
Bottom watering is very effective and one of the best ways to water plants…
….though it’s usually not recommended to replace top watering entirely with bottom watering…
…you’ll learn why further down in this post.
That being said, adding bottom watering as an additional method can be beneficial.
One of the most important things to know when choosing bottom watering…
…is that the planter must at least have one drainage hole.
If it does not, you will have difficulty getting water into the planter.
Go on..
How To Bottom Watering Snake Plants?
- First, in order for this to work, your pot must have a drainage hole, so your plant can actually suck up the water.
Make sure your plant’s soil is not compacted. Otherwise, it will have trouble soaking up the water. - Take a bowl or container large enough for your plant to sit in.
Fill it a few inches or halfway with water, depending on the size of the plant.
Put the plant in the water. - Feel the soil with your finger after about ten minutes to see
if the moisture is just under or just at the surface.
My plants like to be moist just beneath the surface when I take them out; for me, it’s an easy sign of when to stop.
If the whole surface of a plant is wet, it can be difficult to determine how much water the plant has actually absorbed. (I hope that isn’t confusing!) - It will soak for longer if the water is still dry or if the plant absorbed all of the water quickly.
Keep in mind, that it should only be soaked until the moisture has reached the soil’s surface or just below it.
Allowing it to sit in the water too long can lead to watering too much and rot. - Don’t leave excess water in your tray when your plant is done soaking.
If your plant hasn’t absorbed it, then it doesn’t need it.
Is Bottom Watering Beneficial?
Bottom watering is usually beneficial for most plants. Particularly snake plants!
Moreover…
Pros of Bottom Watering
- The plants can control their water requirement
because we are allowing them to pull in what they need,
rather than pouring water aimlessly on top of the soil. - Water won’t accidentally be poured over the leaves,
which can result in water sitting in the leaf/stem crevices, causing rot.
Some plants are extra sensitive to this. - The plants are more evenly watered when they are watered at the bottom.
- Plants that are super dry can be effectively hydrated using it.
- Roots get stronger as they grow down towards the water source.
- You may still need to water more, even though it is less likely to happen.
- When the soil’s surface is not sopping wet, it can reduce the chances of attracting pests.
Although the risk does not go down THAT much,
if you have a problem with attracting pests, try switching to bottom watering for a while.
Next..
Cons of Bottom Watering
- It does not flush excess salt and minerals out as top watering does.
You need to top water your plants once or twice a month to do this,
and some plants are more sensitive to this method.
You might want to avoid bottom watering altogether if your plant is sensitive to salts or minerals. - Bottom watering takes longer. That’s one of the reasons, why I don’t bottom water as often.
- If you have the tendency to forget things,
you may want to set a timer to make sure you check on your plants.
Can You Bottom Water All Plants?
Yes, the mechanism is the same. Plants will absorb water through the bottom of the pot through their roots…
…just as long as there is a drainage hole and the dirt is not too compacted.
As mentioned above, there are some plants that will not thrive if watered from the bottom…
… because they are extra sensitive to salt and mineral build-up.
Be sure to check to see if your plant is one of them…
Meanwhile, some plants will LOVE bottom watering because…
…they are extremely sensitive to getting their foliage wet.
African violets are notorious for this and bottom watering…
….is the standard watering method many people use for them.
You will still need to (carefully) flush them out periodically, though.
Here’s the interesting part…
How Long Should I Bottom Water My Plants?
How long your plant takes to sit in water varies, depending on the size and how wet it is.
Smaller plants will take less time to do so.
Start checking your plant’s soil after about ten minutes.
If you feel that the soil is still very dry when you stick your finger into it, let them sit for another ten minutes.
Let them sit until they are moist, just at or under the soil’s surface.
Just in case you skimmed it, the time to pull out my plants is when they’re damp…
…just beneath the surface because it’s an easy sign of when to stop.
With the whole surface already wet, sometimes you cannot tell how much…
…water has been taken up by the plant, actually.
Whatever you do, do not leave plants in water permanently.
Set a timer if you need to so you don’t forget them.
Go on…
Can You Overwater From Bottom Watering?
Bottom watering may lead to overwatering if it sits in water too long…
…but it is a more controlled method of watering your plants.
By remembering to check your plants every ten minutes or so while in water…
…you can reduce your chances of overwatering and causing root rot.
Next up…
Add Vitamins To Your Plants
Watering the roots is a great way to feed your plants.
Just mix in the plant food with your water just make sure it doesn’t stain your sink!
As a snake plant owner, you’ve probably heard of bottom watering plants at one time…
…and wondered whether you should do it.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about bottom watering plants.
However, did you know that this method is good for your snake plant?
Last but not least…
What Size Plants Can I Bottom Water?
Typically, bottom watering works best on small to medium plants that can be easily moved.
If the plants are too heavy to lift, or too tall once they are in the sink, it probably isn’t the best technique
To sum it up…
See, having a Snake plant is a good choice for you to have!
It’s cool. It’s famous, it’s easy to have and care!
What else do you need? In this pandemic time like this, it is a good choice for you to have a new activity…
…and having snake plants is a good choice for you to have!
Conclusion
Last thing for sure. This plant needs to be cared for carefully.
Remember, the plant needs “love” too.
Alright, that’s all for today! Do you have any questions about all of this?
Or do you want to add some tips and tricks to do proper bottom watering?
Let me know your recommendation in the comment below or contact us.
I hope you can now take care of your snake carefully and grow it big!
Check out more of our posts on this website. Like this article here!
Thanks for reading this article! Bye!
Frequently Asked Questions Around Bottom Watering
Do All Plants Like Bottom Watering?
Not all plants like bottom watering; in fact, some may even prefer to be left dry.
It is important to test out different watering methods on your plants…
…before you water them from the top down.
This way, you can determine which method works best for each individual plant…
…and avoid overwatering or underwatering.
Is Bottom Up Watering Better?
While there is no one answer that will work for everyone…
…bottom up watering may be a better option if you have soil that tends to dry out relatively quickly.
This method involves slowly adding water to the root zone of plants…
…instead of top-down watering, which helps to keep the soil moist and protected…
…from extreme weather fluctuations.
In addition, it allows your plant roots to access more nutrients since they are closer to the surface.
Bottom up watering also results in less run-off and decreased use of water resources.
Finally, this type of watering can help improve air quality by removing…
…pollutants and dust particles from the environment.
Soil humidity levels are also higher when Bottom Up Watering is used compared…
…with traditional irrigation methods.
How Long Should Plants Sit in Bottom Watering?
The time that your plants sit in bottom watering depends on…
…the type of plant and soil that you are using.
However, most experts recommend soaking plants for at least two hours…
…to ensure maximum absorption of water and nutrients.
This will help to decrease the amount of runoff that occurs…
…during heavy rainfall or irrigation, which is harmful to…
…both the environment and your garden’s health.
Does Bottom Watering Prevent Gnats?
While it’s not 100% certain, there are a few theories about why bottom watering may prevent gnats.
One theory is that the pump’s water droplets attract flying insects…
…which get trapped and drowned.
Additionally, this action also disrupts the breeding process since…
…they need standing water to lay their eggs.
Another reason is that when water flows over an impermeable surface like metal or plastic…
…micro-organisms can’t survive and thus cannot spread disease.
Bottom watering should be done regularly in order to prevent gnats…
…from becoming a problem on your property.
Just make sure you do it safely and don’t disturb any nests!
How Does a Bottom Watering Pot Work?
Bottom watering pots are a type of pot that uses the principle of gravity to water plants.
This is done by attaching a water droplet collector to the bottom of the pot…
…and then filling it with water.
As long as there is enough weight on top of the pot, gravity will cause…
…the drops dripping from the collector reach down into the soil and irrigate your plants.
This system is often used in small spaces where space may be an issue…
…or when you don’t have access to a garden.
It’s also useful for people who frequently travel because it eliminates…
…need for carrying any extra equipment or supplies with you.
Simply fill up your bottom watering pot before traveling, and leave it at…
…strategic locations around your destination so that you can…
…easily plant flowers or vegetables while away from home!