Planta Oppdag

How to water tropical houseplants

Publisert November 20, 2025

How to water tropical houseplants

How to water

Feel the soil - the top layer (about 1 inch) should be dry before giving more water. If the soil is still wet, you risk giving the plant too much water and it can 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.

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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

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

Ofte stilte spørsmål

How do I know when to water my tropical plant?

Feel the soil, and water only when the top layer, about 1 inch deep, is dry. If the soil is still wet, wait longer to avoid root rot.

Why is proper drainage important for tropical plants?

Proper drainage is crucial because tropical plants do not want their roots to live in water. Without drainage holes, excess water cannot exit, which can cause the plant to rot.

What is bottom watering and how do I do it?

Bottom watering involves filling a plant tray with water, ensuring the soil is in contact with the water, and waiting for the plant to absorb enough water until the soil is moist throughout.

Should I only bottom water my tropical plant?

No, bottom watering does not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil. You should also water over the soil occasionally to help flush these out.

How can I tell if my tropical plant is getting too much water?

If the soil remains wet, or if you let your plant sit in collected water, it risks getting overwatered and rotting. Always ensure excess water drains away after watering.

How to water your tropical plant over the soil

  1. Pour water over the soil until it starts to run out from the drainage holes.

  2. If you have a tray under the pot, make sure to remove all collected water afterwards, never letting your plant sit in water.

  3. If you watered under a tap, ensure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back.