I've been watering my indoor plants from the bottom lately, mainly because top watering hasn't yielded great results for me. For instance, my Jade plant's leaves stay more firm when I bottom water compared to top watering, where they remain a bit flexible even when soaked. However, I've recently noticed that some plants I potted last year seem to have compacted soil on top. I usually judge when to water by the feel of the leaves; if they feel soft, I water. When I checked the firmness of the soil outside, it felt pretty solid. I'm worried that top watering might not get through to the roots properly. So, is it true that bottom watering can lead to soil compaction? Should I aerate the soil with something like a chopstick or consider repotting?
2 Answers
The soil I use is Miracle-Gro cactus and succulent mix, which I mixed with perlite in a 2:1 ratio. I prepared it last year during repotting, and while it's good for drainage, soil can still compact over time if left to bottom water exclusively. You could definitely try aerating it with a chopstick and check the moisture levels more frequently!
Absolutely! Bottom watering can sometimes lead to soil compaction, especially if the soil mix isn't the best quality. Old or poor soil can become really hard and even hydrophobic, which makes it tough for water to penetrate. You might want to reconsider your soil mix to keep things healthy. I mostly top water, and while I do soak a few plants, I've managed to avoid this issue.