The Best Ways to Water Your Plants

Choosing the right watering method for your plant is essential for its health and well-being

Have you considered the way you water your plants? I'm not referring to the amount or frequency of watering, nor the water quality or additives. Those topics are for another time. I'm focusing on how you actually deliver water to your houseplants. "Can't I just use a watering can to pour water over them?" you might wonder. Yes, you can. However, it's not the only method. There are various techniques suitable for different situations, each with its own benefits and limitations. Below, I explore the best ways to water your plants, along with the best uses and practices for each.

Top watering

Pouring water over your plant, known as top watering, is the most common method. It's simple and effective for most plants, as it mimics nature's way through rain. Use a watering can with a long, narrow spout to reach beyond the foliage and apply water to the base of the plant and surrounding soil. How easy is that! However, there's a bit more to it. When you top water, the water trickles through the soil, reaching the roots. Various elements in the soil absorb some of the water, moistening it. The advantage of top watering is its simplicity and ease. You can walk around your house with a watering can and give each plant a drink. The disadvantage is that, in poor drainage conditions, excess water may pool around the plant's roots, causing root rot. Therefore, good drainage is crucial for plants that are top watered. Keep these plants in grower's pots and use a well-draining soil mix. To water, place the grower's pot in another container or bring it to the sink and saturate the plant until water freely flows from the drainage holes. This method is best for large plants in big containers that are not easily moved.

Bottom watering

Bottom watering is a method where you place your plant container in a tray, bowl, or deep plate filled with water. The soil absorbs the water from below, drawing it up to the plant's roots. Once the plant has taken in enough moisture, the outer vessel is either removed or emptied of excess water. Typically, the plant remains in the water dish for 15 minutes to half an hour before the water is removed. Larger plants may take longer. This technique is effective in situations with less than ideal drainage, as the plant will only absorb the necessary amount of water to saturate the soil. It is also suitable for plants that do not like their leaves to get wet, such as African violets and many succulents. A drawback of this method is that it can be time-consuming and require a lot of space if you have many plants to water, making it best for smaller houseplants. Additionally, it is beneficial when applying fertilizer, as in a top watering scenario, much of the fertilizer can end up draining away.

"Self-watering" planters

Are you prone to forgetting things? A chronic underwaterer? An occasionally neglectful plant parent? No worries, I can relate. Self-watering planters are here to help! These have become increasingly popular in recent years, and I've noticed more houseplants being sold this way. Of course, you still need to add water to these containers, but you can do so on your own schedule. There are several different types available: from wicking planters that use strings or wicks to gently and slowly supply moisture to the soil, to porous ceramic pots that sit in decorative water bowls. You can even make your own! (More on that later). Some of these units can be relatively expensive compared to cheap and common growers' pots, but convenience comes at a price. They are well-suited to plant varieties that prefer constant moisture, like many aroids (such as philodendrons), African violets, and dracaenas. They are not suitable for plants that prefer to dry out between watering, like succulents and sansevierias.

Spikes, bulbs and ollas

Ceramic watering spikes are designed to slowly release water into the soil to maintain moisture. Some feature large "above ground" reservoirs or can accommodate a bottle to supply water. Certain watering spikes can be connected to a hose, which is attached to a large jar or bucket of water. These spikes are useful if you plan to be away from your plants for some time. Otherwise, I don't find much use for them. Watering bulbs are glass or plastic devices filled with water, which are then inverted into the soil, allowing water to drain through a funnel-like appendage. Although these are commonly sold in plant stores and garden centers, I don't recommend them because they clog easily and are usually too small to be practical. An olla is an unglazed (and therefore porous) ceramic jug buried up to its neck in the soil and can be filled at the top. I like the concept of ollas but find them impractical as they occupy a lot of space in the plant's container that could otherwise be used by roots. They are more suitable for large outdoor pots. Overall, I don't particularly favor these types of watering systems except in a few very specific situations.

Watering tools

A simple hygrometer

There are several tools that are beneficial regardless of the watering method you choose. Each of these implements plays a crucial role in ensuring your plants receive the proper delivery of water, which is vital for their growth and overall health. Naturally, a watering can is the most obvious and versatile choice. For indoor use, select a can with a relatively long and narrow spout to reach beyond the foliage and deliver water to the base of the plant. For plants requiring more delicate and precise watering, a washing bottle can be a useful tool. It allows for gentle and accurate moisture application and is available in a long-necked version suitable for watering hanging plants or plants on high shelves. Many come with measurements marked on the bottle to gauge the amount of water you give your plant. For even more precise control, a kitchen baster can be used to moisten the roots of individual plants in dish gardens and terrariums. Finally, you can eliminate the guesswork from watering by using a water meter, known as a hygrometer, an invaluable tool for monitoring soil moisture levels. A hygrometer uses a probe that, when inserted into the soil, provides an accurate reading of the conditions below the surface. It is essential for larger pots that may feel dry to the touch even though they retain considerable moisture at the root level. I regularly come across inexpensive ones with additional functions, including pH measurements and light level indicators. 🪴