I'm relatively new to the plant care scene and I've got a mix of tropical plants, along with some cacti and succulents. I'm really torn between top watering, bottom watering, or using a combination of both, especially since my favorites are Monstera and Golden Pothos. I've noticed that some folks swear by bottom watering because it allows the plant to take what it needs and potentially reduces the chance of fungus gnats. On the other hand, there are arguments for top watering, especially for plants that don't have a robust root system yet, which makes me wonder if only the lower soil gets wet. I'd love to hear your opinions and personal experiences with watering methods! I want to do right by my plant babies!
3 Answers
I was all about top watering before, but I ran into problems when my Philodendron Brazil started looking kinda sad because its soil was drying way too fast. So I switched it up—now I top water and let it soak in the runoff for a bit. It really perks up the plant, making sure it gets a good drink. Sure, it's a bit of a time commitment, but letting them sit for about 10 minutes makes a noticeable difference. Just make sure to let them drain well before taking them out. Different plants definitely have different thirst levels!
I have way too many plants to commit fully to bottom watering since it would require a lot of counter space to rotate everything. I usually mix it up and do both top and bottom watering along with some self-watering pots. If you're prone to overwatering, going the bottom watering route can help, but I haven’t found it to really cut down on fungus gnats; allowing the plants to dry out seems more effective. Even if you do bottom watering, try to top water every now and then to flush out any excess minerals in the soil. It’s a good balance!
Yeah, I just bottom water everything I have because my plants are in a gritty mix that tends to let water run right through. If I top watered, they wouldn't get a proper drink at all. It's worked well for me!