Watering is one of the biggest challenges for gardeners. This is because plants have specific water needs.
Some plants do well with a lot of water, while others can quickly rot and die. The approach taken to water the plants requires specific skills.
One of the watering methods discovered in the modern day is bottom watering. The bottom watering technique is a must-know for all gardeners. Read this article to get more details about this method.
What Is Bottom Watering?
Bottom watering can be viewed as hydrating the plant roots. The method is considered efficient because it works from the bottom up in watering the plants.
The concept behind the method is that plants absorb water through their roots and not from the top.
Those favoring this method see it as more efficient than top-bottom watering. They believe there is no need to pour water on the top and wait for it to trickle down the roots.
I suggest that you create holes in the bottom part of the container. You can use these holes to let water in and access the roots quicker.
List of plants that prefer bottom watering
Not all plants can do well with the bottom watering methods. The following is a list of a few that have been viewed as preferring this method.
- African violets
The African violets are trendy house plants. But they are also very picky about their favorite watering method. This is because their leaves are susceptible to cold water. That is why it is recommended to water the plants from the bottom. The technique prevents any damage to the leaves.
- Snake plants
The other houseplants that do well with bottom watering are the snake plants. They have been considered very common among plant lovers. They are easy to maintain because they do not require daily care.
Snake plants can easily collect water between the leaves. This is why they do well with the bottom watering method.
The water does not need to tock the leaves as the case with watering from the top. This method prevents rotting of leaves and any damage to the plant.
- Succulents
There is also the family of succulents that do well with bottom watering. These are also among the houseplants that are preferred for their foliage indoors. These plants do not require regular watering.
The same concept with the snake plants applies when considering bottom watering for succulents. The idea is to ensure no water is retained between the leaves. In this case, the foliage is protected.
- Jade plants
The jade plants are also on the list of house plants that prefer bottom watering. Experts have viewed that watering the jade plant from the top, causes white spots on the leaves.
This is especially in water that contains a lot of mineral deposits. That is why it is recommended to consider bottom watering as the best solution to this problem.
- Pothos
The pothos plant are just like the jade plants regarding watering method preference. The leaves can be damaged if they come directly into acidic water. Bottom watering helps the plant absorb water directing and keep the plant hydrated.
- Herbs
Many of the herb plants also prefer bottom watering. These herbs have leaves that grow and flourish. These leaves are the edible part of the herbs. There is also the risk of leaves retaining moisture. The significant risk is that the herb loses flavorful foliage.
Placing the herbs in containers and using water trays at the bottom is recommended. This method ensures that the herbs absorb water from the roots. This maintains the health of the leaves, including their flavors.
How does bottom watering help plants
There are numerous benefits of watering the plants from the bottom. It is the reason why the method is preferred for many houseplants apart from misting the plants.
- Consistent watering
One of the main advantages of bottom watering is the constant water supply to the plants. The plant roots absorb the water given the demand from the plant.
This is unlike top watering, where the roots have to wait for the water to be absorbed in the soil before it reaches the bottom. Therefore, it is the best way to ensure that plants can access enough water.
- Preventing under and over watering
There is always the risk of under or overwatering houseplants. This is especially when you water them from the top. This is because you are never sure as to the right amount of water. The top method depends on the saturation of the soil.
Bottom watering ensures that the plant absorbs only what it needs. The roots do not absorb more than they can handle.
There is also the reduced risk of underwatering. It is also much easier to check the amount of water and when you add depending on the plant’s requirements.
- Prevents splashing
The other significant advantage of watering the plants from the bottom is avoiding splashing on the leaves.
Many plants do not like water touching the leaves directly. This is because it may lead to the retaining of water and root rotting. Watering the plants prevents wetness on the leaves.
- Mess reduction
The experience among many people is that watering from the top causes a lot of mess. It may lead to the waste of water. The idea behind bottom watering is to prevent such mess. This is because it reduces spillage. The water is contained in a container at the bottom.
Can you overwater by bottom watering?
A significant concern among plant lovers is the issue of overwatering plants. This is because it causes damage to the plants. It is also because it can lead to the ultimate death of plants.
That is why bottom watering has been recommended for many houseplants. It is viewed as among the methods used to address overwatering.
Bottom watering ensures that the plant takes up enough water. There is no risk of soggy soils that cause damage to the roots. It also prevents a build-up of minerals and salts in the soil. This is because occasional watering is prevented. The gardener also reduces the risk of watering plants when unnecessary.
Plants that don’t like bottom watering
It is, however, essential to note that not all plants do well with bottom watering. This means that some plants are better watered from the top.
Among these plants include those that require a lot of water. These plants may not do well when water is regulated from the bottom.
Some plants have very shallow roots. This means that these plants may not access enough water from the bottom. These plants require that they are watered from the top.
The water reaches the roots quicker when absorbed in the soil. But this is not guaranteed in some plants. This is because they may suffer overwatering when done from the top.
It is also good to note that plants with shallow roots may have a way out. It is recommended that when using bottom watering for such plants, it is good to raise the garden watering containers.
This method ensures that the wicking action happens with ease. It also ensures that the plants do not suffer under or over-watering.