Can You Bottom Water Succulents?
Can you bottom water succulents? Yes, you can bottom water succulents. In fact, it’s often the best way to water them, since it ensures that the roots get moisture directly. To do this, simply place the pot in a basin or tray of water and let the plant soak up the moisture from below. After approximately 20-30 minutes, remove your plant pot from the tray and pour off any remaining water.
It can be difficult to know how to care for succulents properly. This is especially true when it comes to watering them. Some people think that you can only water succulents from the top but this can actually cause problems with overwatering if you are not careful. You can use a soil moisture meter in addition to bottom watering to know exactly when to water.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to water succulents from the bottom, and why this might be a better option for some plants. We will also provide tips on how to do it correctly. Thanks for reading!
What are succulents and why are they popular plants to grow indoors?
Succulents are a type of plant that can store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. They are native to dry regions of the world and are adapted to survive in environments with little water.
Succulents are popular indoor plants because they can tolerate low light and can be neglected for long periods of time without dying.
What Is Bottom Watering?
Bottom watering means that you place the plant in a dish of water and let the roots soak up the moisture from the bottom. This method of watering is beneficial for succulents because it can help prevent root rot, which is a common problem with these plants.
What type of succulents can you bottom water, and which ones should you avoid doing this with?
Most succulents can be bottom watered, but there are a few exceptions. Avoid bottom-watering succulents that have soft leaves or stems, as this can cause them to rot.
What are the benefits of bottom watering?
Bottom watering can be beneficial for succulents because it can help prevent root rot, which is a common problem with these plants. However, there are a few potential risks involved in this process.
One risk is that the plant may absorb too much water and become saturated. Most plants including succulents do not like to have “wet feet” which is another way of saying their roots sitting in water. This can cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off, and the stem may start to rot.
If you are unsure whether or not your plant needs water, simply push your finger into the top inch of the soil to see if it is moist or not. If it is still moist, then you still have some time before your plant will need to be watered.
If the top inch of soil is dry then it is time to water. If for some reason you cannot tell whether or not your plant needs water, it is best to err on the side of caution and give it a little bit of water rather than none at all.
How to Bottom Water Succulents
Bottom watering your succulent is easy to do and only requires a few supplies. You will need a shallow dish, water, and your succulent plant.
- Place the dish of water on a surface that can get wet, such as a sink or countertop.
- Then, set your succulent in the dish so that the roots are submerged in the water. Let the plant soak for about 30 minutes, or until the leaves start to look plump.
- After watering, be sure to dump any excess water from the dish and allow the plant to drain before putting it back in its tray.
Bottom watering is an easy and effective way to water your succulents. This method can help prevent root rot and can keep your plants healthy and happy.
Here are a few tips to help your bottom water your succulents:
- Use a shallow dish so that the roots can easily reach the water.
- Be sure to dump any excess water from the dish after watering.
- Let the plant soak for about 30 minutes, or until the leaves start to look plump.
- Avoid bottom-watering succulents that have soft leaves or stems.
By following these tips, you can help prevent root rot and keep your plants healthy and happy.
How Often Should You Water Your Succulents?
You should water your succulents once every other week during the spring, summer, and fall. During winter you should reduce your watering to once per month. The plants are growing during the spring. summer and fall months thus needing regular watering and dormant during the winter time so they require less water.
Remember, that temperatures and other things like wind can affect your plants. The hotter the temperature and the more wind that you have will cause you to water more often.
How Long Should I Let My Succulents Bottom Water?
You should bottom water your succulents for approximately 20-30 minutes by placing their pot into a tray of water. During this time the plant will soak up the moisture that it needs. Make sure to pour out any additional water that is left in the tray when this time is up so that the plant isn’t sitting in unnecessary water for longer than it needs.
What Is the Best Way to Water a Succulent?
The best way to water a succulent is to use the soak and dry method. This means that you should let your plant soak in water for about 20-30 minutes before taking it out and allowing it to almost dry out completely before watering it again.
Can You Over Water when Bottom Watering?
Yes, despite the bottom watering method being the best method for watering your succulents you can still overwater them by leaving the pot in the tray of water too long and letting the pot get oversaturated. This typically happens when you water the tray underneath the pot and allow it to continually sit in the water.
It is best to pour off any additional water after about 20-30 minutes so that the soil can drain. Doing this will ensure that your plant will be happy and healthy.
Do You Water Succulents from The Bottom or Top?
It is best to water your succulents from the bottom if they are good size plants because the roots will be able to take up the water that they need fairly easily. If you have smaller succulents that are still young, then they may benefit from watering some from the top.
The only time that I water my succulents from the top is when I first plant a smaller plant into a new pot. I will water it in and keep the top inch of soil moist for the first 7-10 days to allow the plant to set down roots. After that, I switch to bottom watering.
How Do You Know if You’re Under Watering Succulents?
The best way to really know if you are underwatering a succulent or any other plant is to recognize the signs that your plant is showing you. If your succulent is wrinkly or shriveled up and has dry crumbly leaves then it needs water. Ideally, you should catch it before it gets to this point.
The best way to catch it before it gets that bad is to simply pick up the pot when it is well-watered but not overwatered. Take note of how heavy the pot is when watered. Then when it gets to a point where the pot is dryer and needs water, pick it up again for reference.
The pot should weigh more when it is watered versus when it is dry.
If this is too much for you – then you can always use a soil moisture meter to tell you when your plant needs some water.
Do Succulents Like Misting?
Succulents do not like to misted as they are from dry climates where it rains sparatically. These dry climates not only receive less rain but the air is also drier which makes misting a bad idea for larger succulents.
You can mist young plants that you have just planted or propagated but do it sparingly as this can lead to problems like root rot.
Can Succulents Live in Pots without Holes?
Yes, succulents can live in pots without drainage holes if you are careful when watering them. Make sure to not overwater your succulent plants as this can cause root rot and eventually can kill your plant.
How Much Should I Water My Succulents without Drainage?
When it comes to watering succulents or plants in pots without drainage you need to be careful not to overwater. The best way to know how much to water your succulents is the simple weight test.
All you have to do is simply pick up the pot when it is dry that way you will know when the pot needs water. Make a mental note of how it feels or you can get technical and weigh it on a bathroom scale if you want to.
Once you know what that feels like it is time to water the pot just until the point where the potting soil is moist but not saturated. Then you will need to pick up the pot again to see how what it feels like when watered. Take note of how heavy the pot is when watered.
The pot will weigh more when watered as opposed to dry but remember the basic rule when dealing with pots with no drainage: less is more. This just means that you can always give them a little more water so just give them a small amount at a time.
Is Bottom Watering Better than Top Watering?
Yes, bottom watering is definitely better than top watering. Bottom watering is the best way to water your plants as it allows the plant to wick or draw up the moisture that it needs as it needs it.
This keeps the roots just moist enough to give them what they need without the possibility of overwatering them which can cause root rot or worse.
In addition to this bottom watering also prevents washing soil away or causing soil splashing up on the leaves of the plant which can lead to diseases.
Can You Butt Chug Succulents?
Yes, you can “butt chug” or bottom water your succulents to give the plants the water they need to be healthy. Butt chugging is done by setting your succulent plant in a tray of water and letting the plant soak up the water until the top of the soil is moist or wet.
How Long Should I Let My Plants Butt Chug?
You should “butt chug” or bottom water for about 20-30 minutes and then dump out the remaining water when the time is up.
Can Bottom Watering Cause Root Rot?
Yes, bottom watering can cause root rot but it is far less likely than watering from the top. If you water from the bottom for 20-30 minutes and then pour off the excess water you should be able to steer clear of root rot.
If you choose to let your plant pot continue to sit in a tray of water for longer periods of time you can experience root rot problems.
In Conclusion
So, if you’re looking for an easy and efficient way to water your succulents (or any plants, for that matter), bottom watering is the way to go. It’s a method that many gardeners use and it’s definitely something worth trying if you want to keep your plants healthy and thriving.
Have you ever bottom watered your succulents before? If not, be sure to give it a try – you may be surprised at how well it works!
