Planta 디스커버

How to Water Your Houseplants Effectively

November 20, 2025 발행

How to Water Your Houseplants Effectively

How to water

Feel the soil - all of the soil should be dry before watering again. If the soil is still moist, you risk giving your plant too much water and it can start to rot. There are several ways to water your plant. Choose a way that suits you the best.

If the soil is wet - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.

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Water over the soil

  1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap

  2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes

  3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water

  4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

Make sure your pot has drainage holes. Without these, your plant risks rotting in the excess water that can’t exit.
— Planta tip

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Bottom watering

  1. Fill the plant tray with water

  2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray

  3. Wait for about 10 minutes

  4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray

  5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray

  6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Water bath

  1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water

  2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water

  3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped

  4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off

  5. Put your plant back in the cachepot or on the tray

  6. After 1 hour, check that your plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

It’s often easier to kill a plant with overwatering than with underwatering, and it’s usually much easier to save an underwatered plant than the opposite.
— Planta tip

자주 묻는 질문

How do I know when my plant needs to be watered?

Before watering, gently feel the soil to determine its dryness. All of the soil should be dry to the touch before you water again, as moist soil can lead to root rot.

What is the proper way to water a plant from the top?

Pour water slowly over the soil until it starts to drain out from the bottom holes of the pot. Remember to remove any excess water that collects in the tray afterwards, as plants should not sit in standing water.

How long should I let my plant sit in water when bottom watering?

Begin by letting your plant sit in a tray of water for about 10 minutes. Then, check the soil moisture; if it's still dry, add more water to the tray and wait another 20 minutes before removing any excess.

Is it important for a plant pot to have drainage holes?

Yes, drainage holes are crucial for plant health. Without them, excess water can accumulate and cause the plant's roots to rot.

Is overwatering or underwatering more dangerous for a plant?

Overwatering is generally more detrimental to a plant than underwatering. It's often easier to save a plant that has been underwatered compared to one that has been overwatered.

Can I only water my plants using the bottom watering method?

While bottom watering is effective, it's recommended to occasionally water from the top as well. This helps to flush out any accumulated salts and minerals from the soil.