Watering Houseplants from the Bottom: Why and How

This video shows you how to water houseplants from the bottom and why you want to. When you water houseplants from the bottom, you avoid wetting the leaves. Wet foliage is more prone to disease. Watering from the bottom also allows you to thoroughly moisten the soil, which means you need to water less often. This video shows how to water from the bottom. When you bottom water, the plant sucks up the water through capillary action. The size of container you use to bottom water is also important.
www.HealthyHouseplants.com
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[@teedoubleu9602]

bottom watering makes sooooo much sense now.. thank you for this video dear

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Tee DoubleU, I'm really glad the video explained bottom watering for you. You're very welcome!

[@jessicamelendrez8]

I love to bottom water all my plants, especially my string of hearts. I do find I have to water from the top a bit also since the water doesn't seem to reach the top :) Then I rinse the foliage in the shower, and spray the plant with neem oil and or sea minerals spray.

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Jessica Melendrez, Really great regimen for your plants!

[@asherkimber]

I am leaving on trip and would love a video on ways and tips on how to prep plants. I know you mention bottom water, yarn, humid trays...thank you for all your help!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

asherkimber, that is a great idea for a video. Thanks for suggesting! I will get one produced soon. I'm not sure when you're leaving, but hopefully it will be in time! Here is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3TEeK2ZfrSYsLc

[@debracisneroshhp2827]

"Humphrey", gotta giggle every time you 'name' your plants. 😹 Do all your plants have names? I like the African violet in this video, it's very pretty. Thanks for today's instructions__something I do on occasion. Enjoy the rest of your day. 🙏😇🌱🌿🌻🐝🍓🌳🌎🙌🙌🙌😺

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Debra Cisneros, HHP, Most of them have names, yes, but since I have so many, I do admit to calling them by the wrong name sometimes. :) That is a pretty African violet. Really lovely flower color. You enjoy the rest of your day, too! And you're welcome. Thanks for watching! And that African Violet's name is Alexandra!

[@debracisneroshhp2827]

@@HealthyHouseplants , I'll have to show this one to my friend, Aleksandra! 😹😹😹🌱🌿🌻🐝🍓🌳🌎💖🙌🙌🙌😺

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@@debracisneroshhp2827Good idea! :)

[@Westridgevintage]

Great video describing how bottom watering works! This could be a good solution for some of my plants that seem to need frequent watering. I’m wondering about using this method to water my many houseplants... if I put my plants into the same watering container couldn’t that pass along diseases or pests from plant to plant? Any suggestions for using this method on a large plant collection?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Lynne Ellis, Thanks, I'm glad you found the video helpful. Good question regarding spreading diseases or pests. If you do suspect some of your plants of having problems, then I would suggest sterilizing the container in between waterings with a splash of bleach into the watering container and then dumping it out and rinsing the container before putting in a new plant. What I generally do is pour out the container after using it on a plant and rinse and then go on to the next. That is generally sufficient unless you have a known pest or disease problem going on. If you only have a few plants with problems, you could use a different watering container for them, as well. And one other thing that works is to put the containers out in the sun for the day, which will kill any pests and diseases. So maybe do that in between waterings. Hope that helps!

[@SantisandKisin]

not many people has time and space to play this way, I was hoping that plants get get enough moisture from the pebbled water ... or pebbled water is just for humidity and not for watering?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

SantisandKisin, Yes, pebbled water is just for humidity. It's not sufficient water for watering the plant.

[@mokuho]

I think I already saw my mistake. That I put the plant in a very large container of water and The plant did not get wet.😢4:28

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@mokuho, Looks like you discovered the problem! As mentioned, you need a container that is just a little bigger than the plant container, which causes a wicking/suction action in the soil and completely wets the soil.

[@naturally_tkj5962]

What's the best way to water succulent plants like aloe and snake plants? How often to fertilize and water? Thank you in advance!!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Naturally _TKJ, I am doing a video on this topic coming up, so stay tuned!

[@marypiper7845]

Where did you get that meter that tells you how dry the plant is?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Mary Piper, You can get moisture meters online. Here's a link to one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W5V6DCZ?ie=UTF8&tag=healthhouse0b-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B07W5V6DCZ

[@marypiper7845]

Healthy Houseplants Thank you!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@@marypiper7845 You're very welcome!

[@mokuho]

Does the whole soil have to be moistened or just below?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@mokuho, the whole soil.

[@mokuho]

How long is the plant left in water?😢

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@mokuho, it depends on the plant, but 5 to 20 minutes, generally.

[@mokuho]

@@HealthyHouseplants wonderful! Thank you so much!🙏🏼

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@@mokuho You're very welcome! I also have a newer video that goes over the process, if you want to watch it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4Gbk6F9rbWEa9k

[@lucyeloisa7165]

Do you ever mix fertilizer in the water when you bottom water ?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Lucy Eloisa, Yes, I do. You want to use an organic fertilizer when doing so. It is a great way to fertilizer your plants when watering.

[@lucyeloisa7165]

@@HealthyHouseplants oh ok. So I’m assuming you don’t add fertilizer every time you bottom water right?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@@lucyeloisa7165 Not every time. A general rule of thumb would be monthly.

[@mulliganstew72]

Humphrey’s drunk!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Mimi Ramone, Hahaha! I've talked to him about not drinking on the job, but he never listens!