---
title: "How to Water Tropical Plants for Optimal Health"
description: "Keep your tropical plants healthy by watering them correctly. Learn when and how to water, including top, bottom, and bath methods, to avoid root rot."
url: "https://getplanta.com/discover/watering/tropicalgreen/low"
published: "2025-11-20T08:44:41.245Z"
modified: "2026-10-06T10:21:57.874Z"
author: "Planta"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/ju_4rf-nQXSRFsYNvIOq9g.webp?size=large"
---

# How to Water Tropical Plants for Optimal Health

## 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 tropical plants. Choose a way that suits you the best.

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

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/ju_4rf-nQXSRFsYNvIOq9g.webp?size=large)

## 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

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/g8f5lmBqTBKaIfnsFEmOPQ.webp?size=large)

## 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

> Tropical plants love water but don’t want their roots to live in water, so water well and then let the soil dry out before watering again.  
> — Planta tip

## よくある質問

### When should I water my tropical plant?

You should only water your tropical plant when all of the soil feels dry. Watering when the soil is still moist can lead to root rot.

### How do I water my tropical plant from the top?

Pour water directly over the soil until it starts to drain from the bottom of the pot. Always ensure that any excess water in the tray is removed afterwards, and that the pot has drainage holes.

### What is the process for bottom watering a tropical plant?

To bottom water, fill a plant tray with water and place the pot in it, ensuring the soil is in contact with the water. Wait about 10 minutes, then check if the soil is moist throughout. Remove any excess water from the tray once the soil is sufficiently damp.

### Is bottom watering enough for tropical plants, or do I need to do anything else?

Bottom watering does not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil. You should also water your plant over the soil every now and then to help flush these out.

### How do I give my tropical plant a water bath?

Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and lower the whole pot into it, stopping where the stem begins. Wait until bubbling stops, then lift the pot out and let excess water drain. Check after an hour to confirm the plant is not sitting in water.

### Why is it important for tropical plant soil to dry out between waterings?

While tropical plants enjoy water, their roots should not continuously sit in it. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings prevents overwatering and protects the roots from rot.

## How to Water Tropical Plants (Top Watering Method)

1. Feel the soil to ensure all of it is dry before you water your plant again.
2. Pour water directly over the soil, using a watering can or placing the plant under a tap.
3. Continue adding water until it starts to run out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
4. If you have a tray under the pot, make sure to remove all collected water afterwards to prevent the plant from sitting in it.
5. If you watered under a tap, wait until water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting the plant back.

---

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