Hey everyone! I'm new to taking care of houseplants and learning on the go. I've made sure all my plants have drainage holes and I've been bottom watering them. However, I've noticed some issues. When I check the drainage holes, my finger goes pretty far in before I touch any soil. While they still absorb water, it's not as well as my other plants that don't have this problem. I've heard about drainage holes getting clogged, but what about this concern? I suspect the soil might be washing out from the bottom. Most of my plants are in standard potting soil, and even those in a mix of soil, perlite, and peat moss (1:1:1 ratio) are facing the same issue. Should I compact the soil more, or is it better to keep it airy and breathable? Any tips would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
3 Answers
Why are you checking the drainage holes with your fingers? If you're just trying to see if the soil is damp, it’s better to check from the top of the plant. That way you won't disturb the roots or soil more than necessary!
I actually put clay pebbles or leca at the bottom of my pots so the soil doesn’t wash out as much over time. Just a single layer works well, and avoid the dyed ones if you can!
Are your plants healthy overall? If bottom watering is working, it might be a non-issue. I've been taking care of houseplants for over a decade and I’ve never checked how much space is between the soil and drainage holes. My advice is to keep an eye on things but don’t stress! If it becomes a bigger problem, you could repot or just lift the plant to add more soil to the bottom without needing a full repot.
Totally get it! I was just trying to figure out why the plants weren’t getting enough water when I noticed a lack of soil down there. I promise I’m not digging around too much, haha!