Bottom Watering Succulents: Everything You Need to Know

By | Updated April 22, 2023

If you’re new to succulents, bottom watering may be a term you haven’t heard before.

It’s a method of watering plants less common than top watering. Still, it can be very effective for succulents and other plants.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about bottom watering succulents.

We’ll cover what bottom watering is, why it works well for succulents, and how to do it correctly. We’ll also provide some tips for avoiding common mistakes.

What Is Bottom Watering?

Bottom watering is a method of watering plants in which water is applied to the bottom or base of the plant rather than from the top.

The succulent’s pot is placed in a dish of water and absorbed through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

Watering from the bottom is often used for plants sensitive to overwatering, such as succulents.

Bottom watering is an efficient way to water your plants. It minimizes evaporation and run-off and allows the plant to absorb water directly through its roots.

The water seeps through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot and is absorbed by the roots, which can transport water throughout the plant.

When Should You Water Succulents From the Bottom?

Watering succulent plants from the bottom can be a great way to ensure that your plants get the water they need. It can be helpful in several different situations.

For example, bottom watering can be beneficial if you have succulents that are root-bound or there isn’t enough potting soil to retain water.

When this happens, top watering can cause the water to run off before it has a chance to reach the roots.

Bottom watering can also be helpful if the soil is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water.

This can happen when the soil is too dry or has a high clay content. Bottom watering can help distribute moisture evenly throughout the soil and reach the roots.

When you bottom water succulent plants in this situation, the water can soak into the soil and reach the roots. This can help the succulents to stay hydrated and healthy.

Bottom watering is also helpful when the environment is too humid. In high humidity environments, the top of the soil can become wet and stay wet for a long time.

This can create an ideal environment for fungus and bacteria to grow.

Watering from the bottom can help reduce the amount of moisture on the soil surface and prevent these problems.

Also, when succulent leaves are constantly wet, they can become soft and rot.

Bottom watering can help reduce the amount of moisture on the leaves and prevent this from happening.

So, watering from the bottom can be helpful in a variety of situations.

It can be a great way to ensure that your succulents get the water they need.

It can be helpful in several different situations, so bottom watering should become a part of your regular succulent care routine.

What Are the Benefits of Bottom Watering Succulents?

Bottom watering has several benefits for succulents.

Some of the benefits include:

  • It helps prevent succulents from getting water on their leaves, which can cause them to rot.
  • It allows the water to reach the plant’s roots, where it is needed most.
  • It helps water root bond plants.
  • It helps water soil that is dense or compacted.
  • It is a great way to water succulents in hot or dry environments.
  • It is an easy way to water succulents.

Bottom watering your succulents is a great way to ensure that they get the moisture they need.

And it has several benefits for the plants. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to water your succulents, watering from the bottom can be a great option.

How Do You Water Succulents From the Bottom

Now that you know when to bottom water succulents and their benefits let’s talk about how to bottom water them.

Before watering your succulents, you need to make sure that the pot they are in has a drainage hole.

This hole is essential because it allows the water to be absorbed and drained from the pot.

If your pot doesn’t have a drainage hole, you can drill one into the bottom of the pot.

To bottom water your succulents, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a deep enough container for the roots of your plant to be submerged in water. A bowl, sink, or tub can work well for this. Just make sure that the container you choose is clean and doesn’t have any chemicals or detergents in it that could harm your plants.
  2. Fill the container with enough water to reach the bottom of the pot. You can use a watering can or bucket to do this. Ensure that the water is room temperature, not too hot or cold. Hot or cold water can shock the roots and damage the plant.
  3. Once you have filled the container with water, gently place the pot in it so that the bottom of the pot is submerged in the water. Be careful not to splash water on the succulent leaves, as this can cause them to rot.
  4. Let the pot sit in the water for 5 to 15 minutes. This will allow the water to soak into the soil and reach the roots. Make sure to remove the pot from the water once the time is up. You don’t want the roots to sit in water for too long, as this can cause them to rot.
  5. Allow the pot to drain the excess water before placing it back in its regular spot. You can set the pot on a draining board or rack to allow it to drain correctly. This is important because you don’t want the roots to stay wet for too long.

Bottom watering is an easy and effective way to water your succulents.

You can ensure that your succulents get the moisture they need by following these steps.

How Often Should You Bottom Water Succulent Plants?

Bottom watering succulents is a great way to ensure that they get the moisture they need. But how often should you water succulents?

The watering frequency will depend on several factors, such as the type of succulent, the size of the pot, the kind of soil, and the environment.

In general, you should bottom water succulents every one to two weeks.

But, you may need to bottom water them more often in hot or dry environments. And, you may need to bottom water them less often in humid climates.

You can tell if your succulents need water by checking the soil.

The top of the soil should be dry to the touch before watering. If the top of the soil is wet, you don’t need to bottom water yet.

Remember, bottom watering is an easy way to water your succulents, and it can be done every one to two weeks.

How Long Should I Let My Succulents Bottom Water?

Succulent bottom watering is a great way to ensure that they get the moisture they need.

But how long should you bottom water succulents?

The length of time you bottom water your succulents will depend on several factors, such as the type of succulent, the size of the pot, and the kind of soil.

In general, you should bottom water succulents for five to fifteen minutes.

But, you may need to bottom water them for longer in hot or dry environments. And, you may need to bottom water them for less time in humid climates.

You can tell if your succulents have had enough water by checking the soil.

The top of the soil should be moist but not soggy before bottom watering plants. If the top of the soil is still dry, you may need to bottom water for longer.

Can You Overwater a Succulent Plant When Bottom Watering?

Now that you know all about bottom watering succulents, you may wonder if it’s possible to overwater them using this method.

The answer is yes; it is possible to overwater your succulents by bottom watering.

This can happen if you bottom water plants too often or leave the pot in the water for too long.

When watering, you should only water your plants when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. And, you should only leave the pot in the water for five to fifteen minutes.

If you bottom water your succulents more often than this or leave them in the water for too long, you can overwater them.

When watering, it’s essential to be mindful of how often you’re doing it and how long the pot is sitting in the water.

If you follow these guidelines, you shouldn’t have any problems with overwatering succulents.

But, if you do notice that your succulents are wilting or rotting, it may be a sign that you’re overwatering them.

In this case, you should discontinue bottom-watering until the overwatered succulent has recovered.

Should I Water My Succulent From the Top or Bottom?

Now that you know all about bottom watering succulents, you may be wondering if it’s the best way to water your plants.

The answer is that there is no right or wrong answer.

Both top watering and bottom watering have their own advantages and disadvantages.

It’s up to you to decide which method is best for your plants.

Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to top water or bottom water your succulents:

  • The type of succulent: Some succulents do better with top watering, while others do better with bottom watering. Consider the type of succulent you have before deciding which method to use.
  • The size of the pot: If you have a small pot, bottom watering may be the best option. This is because it’s easy to overwater small pots when top watering.
  • The kind of soil: If you have fast-draining soil, bottom watering may be the best option. This is because watering from the bottom allows the water to soak into the soil more slowly.
  • The climate: If you live in a hot or dry environment, bottom watering may be the best option. This is because watering from the bottom helps to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly.

Final Thoughts

Growing succulents can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to remember to water them correctly.

Bottom watering succulents is a great way to keep your houseplants healthy and hydrated.

However, it’s important to remember that too much water can be just as harmful for succulents as not enough water.

Be sure to bottom water your succulents only when the soil is dry and never let the plant sit in water for too long.

Bottom watering succulents will become second nature with some practice, and your plants will thrive.

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