Hey everyone! I've been noticing that the bottom layer of soil in my plant pots tends to be compact and wet, while the top layers look airy and healthier. I'm not very experienced, but I suspect it might just be gravity at play or a lack of roots to absorb the excess water. I've been using about 30-40% perlite in my mix, but I think this might be causing some of my plant health issues. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
3 Answers
It really depends on how wet it is down there. Pots will typically dry from the top down, so it's normal for the bottom to be denser. But if it's muddy, that suggests problems like overwatering and poor drainage. For most tropical houseplants, water when the top 2-3 inches dry out. Remember, different plants have different needs—like succulents, which should be completely dry before watering again.
I usually solve this by adding a layer of rocks at the bottom of my pots to prevent water from sitting there. Gravity pulls water down, and rocks allow for better airflow, which helps with evaporation. It seems to work for me, even though I'm no expert!
Also, if you're using lower-quality soil, that could be a problem. Higher quality potting mixes stay lighter. I recommend trying Pro Mix if you can find it—it's worked wonders for me!
I've heard that too, but some say it's just a myth. It could raise the wet point and take away space for soil without really helping drainage.