Although it might seem extremely easy, there are various ways that watering your plant might actually hurt it. I’m going to walk you through the process of watering your Monstera plants either from the top or the bottom in a brief, step-by-step manner.
Watering Your Monstera From The Top
I water practically all of my houseplants with this technique, even my Monstera plants.
- Head to a sink with your Monstera. Pour water onto the soil’s surface gradually using a watering can with a long neck. Avoid needlessly soaking the foliage. Insufficient ventilation and wet leaves might occasionally promote the growth of plant diseases.
- I prefer to add water gradually, letting each addition soak into the soil before adding the next.
- Extremely dry soil frequently repels water at first, causing the initial drop of moisture to pass through the soil and out of the drainage holes rather than soaking into the ground. A small amount of water added gradually assures that the soil will absorb the water and will become equally saturated.
- Continue filling the pot with water until it feels full and water is dripping freely from the drainage holes.
- To allow the extra water to drain, leave the pot in the sink for a while.
- Check to see if any extra water is draining by raising the pot. Most of the time, gently raising and lowering the pot while tilting it will enable more water to drain.
- It is imperative that you let any water drain that is surplus. One of the most dependable methods to inflict root rot on your Monstera and produce a very sick plant is to leave it in extremely wet soil.
- Put your plant back in its decorative pot or on its drip tray once no more water is draining, and then reposition it.
Bottom Watering Monstera Houseplants
There are benefits and drawbacks to bottom watering indoor plants, which a lot of people prefer to do. Placing your plant in a few inches of water in a sink or basin is known as “bottom watering.” The soil will then soak up water by capillary action.
Bottom watering is slower since it can take a plant 5 to 20 minutes to absorb enough water to be evenly moist. Bottom watering has several benefits, chief among them being that it is a gentle method of watering your Monstera, that it doesn’t wash away the top layer of soil, and that it prevents leaching vital nutrients out of the soil.
The drawbacks are that it takes longer and that fewer plants may fit in a sink or basin. It becomes a highly time-consuming chore if you have a lot of plants.
Simply remove your Monstera from the water after bottom watering it, then drain the pot as you normally would after watering from the top.
Personally, I water the majority of my indoor plants from the top, but I make sure to do it carefully to prevent disturbing the soil.
Does monstera need to be watered from the bottom?
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 the water monstera be bottomed?
Water the plant until the soil within the container is clearly moist and water easily drains through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. 5. After letting the water drain for 10 to 15 minutes, remove the saucer or catchpan under the plant pot and empty it.
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.
How do I water plants from the bottom?
Fill the container, sink, or bathtub with water by adding it or pouring it in. The size of the pots you are watering determines the water level. For instance, I would add 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water in the container if I were bottom watering a number of little pots with a diameter of 6 to 8 inches. I will add 3 inches of water to larger 10 to 14 inch diameter pots when I water them.
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.
How long do my plants need to 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.
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.
Can Bottom water every plant I have?
Yes, all types of plants can thrive with bottom watering as long as they are potted in the right soil that will easily absorb and release water. That’s the quick answer.
Our anecdotal information indicates that certain plants, however, appear to enjoy top watering for no apparent reason. Two identical houseplants in the same species, pot, and soil have been bottom-watered before, but one plant wilts while the other flourishes!
Watch your plant closely for symptoms of stress, just as you would with any new care method or environmental element. Revert to top watering only if your plant doesn’t seem content with bottom watering.
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 long should soil for Monstera remain moist?
When watering Monstera indoor plants, there are a few issues that might be very problematic. To try to steer you clear of these problems, I’ll discuss a few of the crucial ones.
Not Emptying Drip Trays And Cache Pots
While it may be tempting to simply walk over to your plants wherever they are located in your home and water them, I usually advise against doing this. Excess water will drain into the drip tray or cache pot after watering your Monstera. The roots that are present in the bottom inch or so of soil are left submerged in water as a result.
It is incredibly simple to forget to empty the drip tray or cache pot after watering, which results in the roots of your plant being submerged. This may cause root rot to appear within a few days. It is best to avoid taking the chance because root rot can be so destructive to Monstera houseplants and all houseplants in general.
Watering On A Schedule
On a schedule is the worst way to water a Monstera. Despite how simple it is to form a routine of watering your plants on a particular day, your plants won’t appreciate this treatment if they are receiving too much or too little water.
A sick plant that has been either overwatered or underwatered is almost certain to result from watering according to a timetable.
Every two to three days is how I like to check on my plants. I stroll about examining the leaves, touching the ground, and weighing the pots. I then bring the plants I believe need watering to the kitchen sink.
I make a note of those who could require watering in the coming days and make sure to check back in with them to make sure they receive it.
Your Monstera Is Taking Too Long To Dry Out
Although it’s not a good idea to water your plants on a schedule, I’ve found that Monsteras that require watering every 5–10 days or so are typically content plants. Consider whether there is an issue that is causing the soil to remain moist if it is still wet after two weeks.
Think about the following concerns that might be preventing your Monstera’s soil from drying out:
- Is there not enough light reaching your Monstera? In stronger light, plants develop more quickly and require more water as they do so. Additionally, more water is lost through transpiration and evaporation. Your Monstera plant is at risk of developing root rot if you observe that the soil is taking a while to dry out.
- The pot might be too big. The Monstera plant will take a long time to use the water in the soil if it is housed in a small pot. Your plant should not have a ton of spare space in its pot; it should fit snugly.
- Does the soil not drain efficiently? After watering, if water remains on the soil’s surface for longer than 10 seconds, the soil is probably not draining properly. Change to a better draining potting mix, such as one that contains equal amounts of perlite, orchid bark, and coco coir. To learn more, see my post on creating and selecting potting soil for your plants.
- Does the pot have a lot of holes for drainage? Make sure the container you pick for your Monstera has many of drainage holes so that any extra water can readily drain out. In order to prevent water from pooling, make sure the drainage holes are located directly at the bottom of the pot.
- What kind of pot do you have? The soil dries considerably more quickly when using porous pot materials like terracotta than when using a plastic or metal pot. Consider using a terracotta container if the soil is taking too long to dry out. In this article, I go into more detail on selecting a pot for houseplants.
Using The Wrong Type Of Water
The majority of tap water is suitable for Monsteras, however if your water is heavily mineralized or has high levels of fluoride or chloramines, you may experience problems. Brown leaf tips, edges, or even brown blotches are frequently the outcome of this.
If you are experiencing issues, think about switching to rainwater or distilled water if you are satisfied that all other parts of care are being taken care of. Find out more about the effects of water quality on indoor plant health here.
Using The Wrong Amount Of Water
When watering houseplants like Monstera, many people add too little water. This may cause the soil’s surface to become wet while the majority of the soil deeper in the pot stays dry. Because of this, you might believe your plant is receiving enough water while in fact the roots are begging for a drink.
When watering your Monstera, be sure to wet the soil completely and then let as much of the extra water drain out.