This query has come up several times in our Monstera Resource Facebook group, so we decided to write an article on it:
If you’ve never heard of the term “bottom watering,” it refers to a method of watering in which you submerge the plant’s pot in water to allow the roots to soak up water from the bottom. Of course, if your pot has drainage holes, this will only work!
Let’s look at the pros and cons of bottom watering a monstera.
Pros:
- Bottom watering may be a better method for your plant to absorb water if its roots are wrapped.
- The leaves won’t get wet from the water. (Monsteras and other types of houseplants may occasionally experience issues as a result.)
- ensures the water reaches the lower roots (especially when done in conjunction with top watering).
- can aid in strengthening roots because they will descend toward water.
- The soil can only hold as much water as it can, therefore the risk of overwatering is rather modest. Dumping it on top won’t force more water into the container.
Cons:
- can result in an accumulation of extra salts in the soil. You should occasionally water from the top to clean out the soil to fix this.
- Bottom watering, if used exclusively without top watering, can cause the higher roots to become dry.
- Because it’s challenging to ensure your plant receives a proper amount of fertilizer when you simply bottom water, fertilizing becomes a little more challenging.
In all honesty, you’ll get a range of responses. While some individuals just top water their monsteras, others swear by the bottom-watering method. Furthermore, preferences can differ from plant to plant based on habitat, soil type, and health of your monstera.
Overall, bottom watering works well for monsteras, and there aren’t many risks involved. Every time you try a new strategy, as long as you keep a close check on your plant, you’ll be able to identify and address any potential problems early on!
How long should a Monstera be bottom watered?
5. After letting the water drain for 10 to 15 minutes, remove the saucer or catchpan under the plant pot and empty it. Inadequate saucer emptying might result in soggy soil that deprives your Monstera Deliciosa plant’s roots of oxygen, causing root rot.
How should a Monstera plant be watered?
You’ve decided that your monstera is ready for a drink, so let’s move on. You give it how much water? How then?
We’ve discovered that placing your monstera in the sink or using a watering can to gradually add water until it begins to run out the drainage holes works best for watering. Fill the drainage tray right away.
Avoid soaking the soil, and as the extra water drains out, keep emptying the drainage tray.
Avoid getting the leaves damp. Instead of pouring water on top of the plant, apply it to the soil.
Make sure your pot has adequate drainage and that the soil drains rapidly because monsteras don’t like to be overwatered. You might need to move to a better-draining soil if the soil is compacted or water doesn’t drain into the tray.
It’s also crucial to make sure your monstera receives lots of direct, intense sunlight because it will consume water more effectively and dry out faster. In the absence of this, your monstera may become overly damp and develop root rot.
More Monstera Watering Tips:
- When watering your plants, use filtered water that is at room temperature, or leave the water out overnight to allow chemicals like chlorine to evaporate.
- Always examine the soil before adding extra water because you might need to water your plants less in the winter. In the summer, aim to water once a week to once every other week, and in the winter, every few weeks.
- Your monstera should be slightly under-watered rather than over-watered. Water can be added more, but water removal is much more difficult!
Your monstera may be overwatered if:
- leaves with dark brown blotches
- fading leaves
- Mold on the soil’s surface
- Moist stems
signs that your monstera needs more water:
- drop-dead leaves
- Crispy, wrinkly leaves
- Yellowing accompanied by dry brown patches
- Pulling dirt from the pot’s edges
It’s simple to water your monstera plants. The key is to get things off to a good start with the proper soil and a pot with drainage, and to pay close attention to your soil to gauge its moisture content. If you are giving your plant too much or not enough, it will let you know.
Can you overwater when watering the bottom?
Yes, you can still overwater your plant by watering from the bottom if it has been submerged in water for too long. Bottom watering is a more controlled way to water your plants, though. You may dramatically lower your risks of overwatering and triggering root rot by remembering to inspect your plant every ten to fifteen minutes or so while it’s submerged in water.
Does a plant allow for bottom watering?
Bottom watering plants has a lot of advantages. These are the major justifications for why I irrigate my indoor plants using this method.
regular watering
A uniform distribution of moisture across the full mass of soil is made possible by bottom watering. Dry patches may occur from top watering, however this is not a problem when water is gently absorbed from the bottom. Your plants are receiving enough water, so you can be confident of that.
Cut back on over- and under-watering
Bottom watering plants has proven to be a successful method for preventing both under and overwatering. It completely saturates the soil, allowing the plant to dry out to the proper level before you water it again.
stops splashing
A lot of plants react negatively when water is sprayed on their leaves. Even if plants are not susceptible to damp leaves, harsh water may leave blotches on the leaves. Avoid wetting the foliage if you’re watering with a watering can. This problem, as well as the tendency for water to collect in the centre of plants like succulents or snake plants, is resolved by watering a plant from the bottom. This is problematic because water that collects in the center of a plant might encourage rot.
decreases mess
I’ll admit that when I use a watering can, I’m a little bit of a messy waterer. I frequently squirt water on the plant, surrounding plants, and perhaps even the table or shelf. By keeping the water in a closed tub or tray, bottom watering lessens spills and the possibility for harm to furnishings.
It’s simple
Yes, watering your plants from the bottom is simple and doesn’t call for any specialized knowledge or expensive tools. More on that is below!
How frequently ought one to bottom water?
Bottom watering is an efficient method of watering plants that allays worries about overwatering. Bottom watering should be done on a timetable to avoid overwatering even though it is effective.
Watering the bottom should be done every three to four days. This allows the soil’s water to hydrate the plant and move the minerals around so they are more easily available for absorption. How quickly water dries out and how frequently it becomes bottom water depends on wind, humidity, and temperature.
You must give your plants the proper amount of water at the right time to prevent them from drying out.
We have discussed what you need to know about how frequently to bottom water your plants and what circumstances affect the schedule, as watering plants from the bottom up is not an exception.
How can you tell whether bottom watering is effective?
The timing of bottom watering is crucial for potted plants. Insert your finger into the soil between the container wall and the plant stem. It’s time to water the plant if you push down to the second knuckle and still can’t feel moist soil.
To hold the planter, find a container that is sizable enough, and half-fill it with distilled or filtered water. The chlorine in tap water is frequently too much, and in high concentrations, it can harm plants. After inserting the planter, wait ten minutes before checking on it.
To determine whether the potting soil has absorbed enough water, check the container’s moisture level once more. Keep the planter in the water for an additional 20 minutes or longer if the soil is still dry beneath the surface so that it can absorb as much water as possible. Eliminate any extra water.
Bottom watering keeps the roots evenly moist but does not remove the salt and mineral buildup that develops on the soil’s surface over time. Once a month, merely to rinse the soil and get rid of the extra minerals, pour water over the top of the soil until it drains out the bottom.
Overhead Watering
You may irrigate your Monstera Deliciosa by using the overhead irrigation technique. You may water it in this way with a variety of equipment.
To water your plant from the top, you can use a watering can, hose, or pipe. It enables you to wash the Monstera leaves. Monstera leaves gradually accumulate dust. Additionally, it is a quicker approach to hydrate your foliage.
Bottom Watering
A Monstera Deliciosa is watered using the bottom watering technique. Your plant’s roots become stronger when you water it from the bottom up because they are constantly spreading downward toward the moisture.
Put your pot in a container that has been filled with water to accomplish this. Check to see if your plant has absorbed enough water after 10 minutes. If not, give it another ten minutes in the water bath.
How long should plants be bottom watered?
If you want to try bottom-watering, it’s actually fairly easy. Pour some room-temperature water into a bowl or saucer, and if necessary, add some fertilizer. From this point, you can just put the plant in the container and wait for around 15 minutes. (Larger pots may require more time!) Keep in mind that you need occasionally top-water plants to wash out excess salts that might build up on the soil. Don’t let your plants stay in water continuously because this can cause root rot.
Do Monsteras appreciate misting?
Monstera Deliciosas may tolerate low to high levels of indirect, dappled light. Their leaves may burn and scorch if exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time. Low light conditions will inhibit growth.
Make sure your Variegated Monstera Deliciosa gets enough of bright indirect light if you have one.
Water
You should spritz your Monstera Deliciosa frequently and water it once a week. In the winter, when you may only need to water your plant every two weeks, let the soil dry up in between waterings.
Humidity
Because Monstera Deliciosa prefers a humid atmosphere, we advise often wetting its leaves. To boost the humidity of the air around your plant, you might also place it close to other plants.
Additional care information
From a stem and leaf cutting, you may quickly reproduce your monstera deliciosa in water. Make sure to make the cut just below a stem node.
The Monstera Deliciosa’s huge leaves are readily covered in dust over time. Use a moist towel to routinely wipe them.
Troubleshooting
Yellowing leaves may indicate that your Monstera Deliciosa has experienced moisture shock or has received too much light.
Browning leaves are a sign that your plant has been receiving insufficient light or has been exposed to low humidity.
How safe is bottom watering?
We learned the distinction between top-watering and bottom-watering in this guide to plant maintenance.
The benefits and drawbacks of bottom watering your plants have also been covered.
If you’re utilizing the correct soil for your plant and want to help avoid pests on or around your plant, bottom watering is fantastic.
You need still drain away the salts your fertilizer has left behind, so you shouldn’t just water your plants from the bottom.
When you water your plant using both top and bottom irrigation, you maintain a healthy level of humidity and cleanliness in the growth environment.
In doing so, you may help your plant grow in a healthy, robust, and large habitat.
I appreciate you reading this. I hope it will help you maintain healthy and attractive plants! You may always request a plant guide or donate a plant to acquire a guide for the plant you need if you’re looking for more information on a certain type of plant.
Can you submerge yourself overnight?
Why bottom water then? In essence, you’re allowing the plant the freedom to absorb however much water it requires. That may have the appearance of your plant about to come to life, but it’s actually true. by leaving it to sit, ideally overnight, with the roots exposed. You have allowed the plant to consume as much water as it need till it dries up once more. By doing this, the dreaded over-watering scenario is avoided.
Drainage Holes
What comes first? Drainage holes must be included in each pot. This only functions if the drainage holes are at the bottom and can be filled with water to allow the soil and roots to absorb all of the water. If they lack drainage holes, a new pot should be used. In essence, it serves as a breathing tube for the roots. If you don’t allow extra water to drain from your plants and they aren’t breathing, root rot usually starts and the plant dies. Nobody can simply sit in water without shriveling up, not even you.
It’s okay if you adore a good decorative plant holder. Purchase a larger one or try to find one with drainage holes. I usually behave in this manner. The plant will be potted in the basic planter that it originally arrived in before being placed in the bigger decorative container. Instantly, everyone benefits. See that down here? The pilea has been placed into a bigger, finer container while remaining in its original container. Regards, IKEA.
Let’s Water
What makes you think they need water? Google it because it depends on what your plant needs. However, most indoor plants prefer to be completely dry before being watered once more. Therefore, if the soil seems dry when you push your finger a little past your fingernail, it’s time to water.
a brief note Depending on the season, you might occasionally need to water more or less regularly. Don’t assume that because it looks to need water every week in the summer, we should continue with our regular schedule. Don’t. You’ll require less water once winter arrives.
Let’s hydrate! When watering your plants, you’ll need a container. I enjoy utilizing cookie sheets. They are broad and just big enough to fit the water and my plants. You will pour roughly an inch of water onto the sheet. Many individuals also use their sink or bathtub if they don’t have a cookie sheet.
I like to water all of my plants at once while they are spread out on a cookie sheet. You might need to refill the water a few times, depending on how long your plant has been without water.
I like to start watering in the late afternoon or early evening so I can monitor the water level and determine whether it needs to be refilled. Then, just before going to sleep, I fill the cookie sheet back up with water and soak them for the night. They will be finished in the morning because I gave them plenty of time to soak up water. Don’t worry about overwatering here because they only absorb what you need.
How to Tell When They’re Good
The tops of the soil will be damp and darker after they have properly absorbed adequate water. This is because your plants are now completely sopped through. Not just a little moistened, but completely laden.
In between waterings, resist the impulse to squirt them with water. It serves no purpose. Your plants will thrive if you simply follow your regular bottom-watering schedule.
Do you need advice on which plants to buy for your house? See my houseplant beginner’s guide. Furthermore, you can always follow my plant-related adventures on Instagram!