Watering from the top down can help flush excess salts and mineral deposits to the bottom of the pot and eventually out of the drainage holes. Constantly bottom watering will keep these salts and minerals in the potting mix, so top watering can help keep the root system of your plants healthier.
Consistent watering – Bottom watering provides an even distribution of moisture throughout the entire mass of soil. Top watering can result in dry spots, but this isn't an issue when water is slowly absorbed from the bottom. You can be assured your plants are getting enough water.
Can you over water by bottom watering? Yes, if the plant is sitting in water too long, you can still overwater your plant through bottom watering. However, bottom watering is a more controlled method of watering your plants.
Bottom watering assures evenly moisturized soil, which is a must for many plants. Healthy root development. Not that top watering doesn't promote healthy roots, but bottom watering promotes even spread and growth towards the base of the pot, which is what's most natural to plants.
These plants are prime candidates for bottom watering: Plants with hairy or fuzzy leaves, such as African violets, or plants that don't like getting their leaves wet, such as snake plants, Philodendron verrucosum, and P. micans.
Best Plants to Top Water
If you have a plant with shallow roots, top watering will be the best way to water the roots. Plants like epiphytes, succulents, Snake plants, Calathea, Aloe, more mature Maranta, Sedums, Kalanchoe, Begonias, African violets, and Pothos have shallow roots.
That's not the case when bottom watering. All you need to do is set the potted plant (be sure it has drainage holes) into the bathtub, sink, or another container that's filled with a couple inches of water. After 15 to 20 minutes, the plant will have absorbed the exact amount it needs—never too little or too much.
The main drawback of bottom watering is potentially overfertilizing your plant. Because the soil isn't getting flushed from the top, minerals may build up in the soil, which can cause symptoms of nutrient excess or even chemical burn to the roots.
Avoid showering plants that don't like to get their leaves wet (such as African violets, Cyclamen, and Begonias). Did you fill your plant container with anything besides potting mix or potting soil?
Watering from the top down can help flush excess salts and mineral deposits to the bottom of the pot and eventually out of the drainage holes. Constantly bottom watering will keep these salts and minerals in the potting mix, so top watering can help keep the root system of your plants healthier.
Bottom-watering, sometimes called reverse watering, is when you place a plant in a bowl of water, allowing the soil and roots to soak water from the bottom up. (Naturally, your pot needs to have drainage holes for this to work.)
Focus the water at the soil level and keep applying it until the plant's entire root ball is thoroughly soaked. Remember that the roots are probably just as wide as the plant and may be a foot or two deep. The best moisture meter is at the end of your hand.
The best time to water outdoor plants is in the morning when temperatures are usually cooler. This gives the plants time to absorb the water so they can get through a long, hot day. The second-best time is late in the afternoon or early in the evening. Try not to water at night.
Phosphorus potassium &Nitrogen are the essential nutrients to support root growth for plants. They encourage plants to put down a dense collection of new roots and strengthen existing roots as they develop. Phosphorus helps establish healthy root systems at the beginning of growth.
For plant roots to grow faster, it requires nutrients, sufficient water, well-aerated soil, enough light, the right range of temperature and proper amendments. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the three essential nutrients that a plant requires for its growth.
The two main nutrients that support excellent root growth in plants are phosphorous and potassium. These two ingredients are extremely helpful in any fertilizer mix that needs to encourage a thick, healthy collection of brand-new roots, or to strengthen and stimulate existing systems.
Because overwatering and underwatering are equally tough on your plants, finding a good balance - the sweet spot where your plant is happiest - is essential. Let's take a look at how to diagnose whether your plant needs more or less water, and tips for finding that perfect balance.
“Bottom-watering” is when you put your parched plant in a bucket of water and let it soak up what it needs through the drainage hole. (It's very fun. “Like a magic trick,” said Adams.) This keeps the top of your soil dry and therefore gnat-egg-proof.
Deep watering is the holy grail of vegetable gardening. We've heard a thousand times that pushing water deep into the ground forces plants to send their roots deep as well, making them stronger and less susceptible to drought.
A gentle soak for an hour or two is better than puddling soil around your plants and moving on. It primes the soil to absorb more water and allows the water to spread out in the soil. It can take a few tries to get it right, and you don't have to be obsessive about getting exactly eight inches.
The best time to water is early in the morning when it's still cool, which preps the plants for a hot day, but that's not always easy to accomplish with a busy schedule. The second-best time is late in the afternoon or early evening.
The key is to be patient. Keep tending to your plant for a few weeks and then reevaluate. “Once you've taken steps to revive a dying plant, it can take up to a month before you start to see an improvement or new growth, so don't give up on it too soon,” says Valentino.