Bottom watering is simply a practice of providing water to the plant through the bottom with the help of a built-in watering tray.
The water is pulled up by the plant throughout the soil by the movement called capillary movement when placed in water.
In this article we discuss available bottom watering systems and why you should start bottom watering your plants.
What is a Bottom Watering System?
A bottom watering system can be used to water different sized plants from small plants such as succulents to larger plants like monsteras to evenly distribute the water through the soil.Â
Moreover, this type of system can be used anywhere because it is simple and easy to use.
In this system, you simply fill the built-in tray with water and give it some time to do its thing.
The process is the same as if the plant were placed into a tray filled with water.
The roots spontaneously suck up the desired water from the container. Usually, it takes 15-20 minutes at all to quench the thirst of the plant.
This system is basically a hands-free method to water the plant because by adapting bottom watering where you can avoid overwatering and underwatering and the negative effects that comes with it.
What Are The Benefits of the Bottom Watering System?
The benefits of bottom watering lie mainly in the growth of plant roots, which is facilitated by an even distribution of water in the soil.
Particularly, if we talk about watering small and medium-sized plants, I can assure you that the bottom watering system has numerous benefits. Some of them are given below:
Growth of Plant Roots
Bottom watering is a perfect method to stimulate the growth of plants.
As the entire structure of the soil becomes moist, this stimulates the spread of the plant root and access to all the nutrients that the soil can provide.
Bottom watering enables the plant roots to grow properly and make them stronger which helps the plant to support it nutritionally and physically.
Prevent Overwatering
The most common problems plants face are overwatering and underwatering. Some gardeners love watering their plants, especially beginners.
A little dry soil and they’ll rush to pour more water in the pot. While some other gardeners take years to water their plants again.
Bottom watering helps the roots to soak as much water from the soil as they need.
The soil remains moist for almost 3 to 4 days. Which is a good thing for plant absolute development.
Watering the plant through this technique will not overwater the plant and neither underwater it.
Reduce Fungal Diseases and Plant Bugs
A house with houseplants is heaven to shore flies and gnats. Many bugs love when the top of the soil is damp and it becomes their favorite home to live in.
Larvae of fungus gnats commonly feed on fungi, algae, and soft roots. Thus, making the growing medium of houseplants heaven for these delicate-bodied pests.
Fungus gnats love moist and warm topsoil.
Bottom watering can significantly reduce the growth of these fungus gnats. In bottom watering, plants soak up the required water through capillary movements.Â
Unlike top watering, where gardeners drench the topsoil with water.
With bottom watering, the soil also remains moist for a short time according to plant needs. To get rid of bugs from your plant, you can bottom water the plant instead of top watering.
Prevent Root Rot
There are many causes of root rot. The main causes include poor functioning of the root system, overwatering, water logging due to prolonged exposure to excess water.
This problem can be solved by providing an adequate amount of water to plants. The bottom watering technique can assure you that the plant gets the required amount of water, not less or not more.
Furthermore, bottom watering prevents soil from waterlogging and saves the plant’s roots from decaying.
Nature of Plants
Some plants don’t like wet leaves at all. So top watering such plants can cause problems like their leaves drop off. To deal with such plants, bottom watering is the best solution.
More Uptake of Nutrients
Bottom watering also maximizes the uptake of nutrients. Different types of nutrients including sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus are good for plant growth.
When the roots are evenly distributed in the soil, the roots can have access to all the nutrients present in the soil. This can provide a great nutritional benefit to the plant.
What is Bottom Watering?
Bottom watering is done by placing the plant in a tray of water at approximately 1 to 2 inches high. The water is then absorbed into the soil from the bottom up after which it is allowed to drain freely leaving the soil moist and aerated.
Bottom watering :
- Stimulates healthy root growth
- Prevents pests such as gnats
- Prevents overwatering
- Allows fresh air into the soil
Some Cool Bottom Watering Systems’ Planters:
You can find various cool planters for bottom watering from your nearby supermarket or Amazon.
Down below, we have introduced a few of our own favorite planters for bottom watering.
Self Watering Planter Pot:
This self-watering planter from amazon is a great way to bottom water your plants even when you are away from the house on vacation.
With a deep reservoir and hollow legs, plants can soak moisture while keeping the roots from being flooded.
This excellent planter comes with a convenient irrigation design. It contains drainage holes at the side of the planter from where you can store water in the deep reservoir.
With this planter, you don’t have to worry about buying an extra tray or tub to put your regular planter in them for bottom watering.
The attached reservoir will also minimize the water mess.
Wall Mountable Self Watering Planter Pots:
This adorable yet classy Wall mountable self-watering planter pot is excellent for bottom watering small plants.
The planter pots also have a convenient bottom or self-watering feature. Now, you don’t have to move your small plants from one place to another to water them.
You can effectively bottom water your favorite small plants like cacti and succulents with these cute yet efficient planter pots.
Elongated Self Watering Planter Pots:
This stylish Elongated Self Watering Planter Pot is an excellent planter pot to place in the home, apartment, office, shelf, balcony, window sill, desktop, tabletop, etc.
With its unique style, you can keep and bottom water your two or three plants in one go. It not only looks classy but is also very efficient in keeping plants moist and healthy.
Self Watering Window Box Planter:
This window box planter is yet another efficient and cool planter pot for bottom watering your plants.
The planter has a deep and wide water reservoir. It is weather-proof and is made from 100% high-grade polyethylene.
With its 15 years long warranty, you can keep bottom watering your plants for a long time without worry about buying new planters.
Bottom Watering Inserts:
These are some constructive bottom watering inserts that can help you great in taking care of your plants:
Self Watering Plastic Planter with Water Level Indicator:
The T4U 5.5 Inch Self Watering Plastic Planter is one of my favorite sleek and modern planters for bottom watering. It comes with a water level indicator to let you know when it needs to be refilled.
For bottom watering small-sized plants and herbs, in my opinion, it is perfect because it’s well built, sleek, modern, and pocket-friendly.
GroBucket Garden Kit (10PK) Self Watering sub-irrigated planter insert:
With this amazing GroBucket kit, you can turn any standard bucked into a perfect bottom watering planter.
Bottom Watering Plants When You Are Away:
If you have somewhere to go and you are worried about your plants, don’t worry. With all the above cool bottom/self-watering planters, you can go on for days without watering your plants.
These planters will keep your plants moist for days without even damaging the plant roots. The plants will keep on absorbing the water from the reservoir.
So, enjoy your holidays without worrying about your plants going parched.
