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 by 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.
Is bottom irrigation beneficial to plants?
Contrary to top watering, bottom watering is a useful technique for watering indoor plants from the bottom up.
They can grow directly toward the wetness since it strengthens the roots. According to research, the potting soil’s moisture percolates to the bottom and feeds the roots.
By watering from the bottom, you can ensure that your indoor plants get the right amount of moisture without drowning their leaves. The roots will receive enough water with this technique, which is often not possible with top watering.
When necessary, add extra water until the soil is moist. Some homeowners place the planter inside a sizable container and half-fill the container with water.
Give the soil another 10-15 minutes, or longer, if it feels dry, to absorb moisture from the air.
If the soil structure contains channels or gaps, top-watering your plants may not be providing the soil with the water it needs.
However, root rot might result from leaving water in the drainage plate.
However, bottom watering is a useful technique that lets you stay clear of this issue.
You may, for instance, remove the pot off the plate and replace it as needed. You may avoid overwatering plants in this way.
Are you considering bottom watering trays? I was fortunate to find some sturdy, reasonably priced trays that worked nicely for all of my plants. By clicking here, you can access them.
Can I water my plants in the bottom over night?
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!
How long should you water your plants?
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.
How should indoor plants be watered—from the top or the bottom?
Bottom watering is a technique in which the plant is placed in a saucer or other water-filled container and is allowed to absorb water from it. To remove excess salts from the soil, plants that are typically watered from the bottom should periodically be watered from the top.
How wet should Monstera soil be?
PRO HINT: Although Monstera are normally sluggish growers, you can stimulate new growth by fertilizing them with organic fertilizer once a month in the spring and summer.
Always evaluate your plant’s watering requirements as soon as you get one. It is important to check the soil’s moisture content first to make sure it isn’t wet directly under the surface before giving your plant a drink. Additionally, think about aerating your plant’s soil before to the first watering. Aerating can help the soil breathe and enable rainwater to escape since we compact the soil to prevent it from shifting while being transported.
Monsteras love somewhat damp soil, and they typically like a little amount of drying time in between waterings. They don’t want to sit in moist soil because they are epiphytes with aerial roots and are sensitive to overwatering. Your plant may need water once the top 2 to 4 inches of the soil are dry.
To promote even development on all sides, rotate your Monstera occasionally, and dust the leaves frequently to help the plant photosynthesize well. Take the chance to check the undersides of the leaves when dusting them and keep an eye out for bugs. Despite being more pest-resistant than many other low-light tropical plants, Monsteras are susceptible to both thrips and mealybugs.
Keep in mind that every plant is a distinct living creature with different demands depending on where it is. You can have a long and fulfilling relationship with your Monstera if you pay attention to its health and its watering requirements.