Let’s Talk Dirty: Why Your Houseplants Might Prefer Bottom Watering

Alright, planty friends—let’s get to the bottom of this (literally). If you’ve been showering your leafy friends from above, it might be time to flip the script and try bottom watering your houseplants. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: instead of watering your plant from the top, you let it sip slowly from the roots up. Dignified. Civilized. Slightly bougie? Maybe. But your plants might just love you for it.

How it works:

1. Grab a shallow dish or tray that’s wider than your plant’s pot.

2. Fill it with a few inches of water—enough to reach the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

3. Let your plant sit and soak for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how dry it is and how big the pot is.

4. Feel the top of the soil—when it’s moist, the plant has had its fill.

5. Remove your pot and let it drain so you're not left with swampy roots.

Easy, right? It’s like giving your plant a spa day without the cucumbers.

Why Bother Bottom Watering Your Houseplants?

Hydrophobia no more. If you’ve neglected to water your plant for a while, its soil may become hard and dry, making it nearly impossible for it to absorb water poured from above. Bottom-watering can slowly and thoroughly rehydrate hydrophobic soil.

Even moisture distribution. Top watering can sometimes leave dry pockets in the soil. Bottom watering ensures a thorough, even soak.

Fewer fungus gnats. These little jerks love damp topsoil. Bottom-watering helps keep the surface dry, which discourages them.

Healthier roots. Encourages roots to grow downward toward the water—like a plant with purpose.

Faster watering. If you have a bunch of plants in tiny pots, it can be quicker to put them all in a bath together while you do other things. Hello, me time!

Pros and Cons of Bottom Watering

Pros:

• Reduces risk of overwatering

• Helps avoid splashy messes and leaf spots

• Revives dense or compacted soil

Cons:

• Takes more time than a quick pour from the watering can

• Not ideal for plants that need top-down flushing to prevent mineral buildup like African violets, dracaena, and fiddle leaf figs

• Easy to forget you're doing it and wander off mid-soak (ask us how we know)

Bottom-watering isn’t a must for every plant, but it’s a handy technique to have in your plant-care toolkit—especially for fussy or root-sensitive varieties. Try it out on your next watering day and see who perks up. Your plants might just thank you … from the bottom of their pots.