If You Water Your Potted Plants This Way, You’re Doing More Harm Than Good

There's nothing I love more than getting a new, pretty pot to put beautiful flowers in. I have many in my back and front yards and on my porches. When I water them, I usually lug our garden hose around and let it run over the top of the pots for a few minutes. But I recently learned that watering potted plants from the top might be doing them more harm than good!

Get our free mobile app

Garden TikToker @joesharden recently posted a video about how watering a potted plant from the top is not actually doing your potted plants any good. You're actually dehydrating them!

Although the soil may look saturated on the top or like you potted plant has enough, or too much, water, the soil underneath is dry! And the roots haven't gotten any water, which is where your plants actually drink water.

In the video, the gardener recommends using a tray or container filled with water to water your potted plants. You take your potted plants - pot and all! - and dunk them right into the try or container. The soil will absorb the water from the pot's drainage holes and gives your plant an even watering!

Check out the video below!

@joesgarden Today we are back and I am showing you my quick tip on watering potted plants, to make sure the roots of your plants are actually getting a drink. This technique is really effective and is often used in commercial growing. However, I dont normally water one plant at a time in a plastic bowl, that was for the camera so you can see whats happening. The most effective way to do this is to grab a large tray, fill it up with water, and place three or four pots on there at a time. Obviously, you can water from the top of your potted plants, but you do need to be careful and check the water is reaching the roots. By watering from the bottom you do not need to worry about this. This method is also really effective for young plants in pots, as watering from the top can offen damage their stems. 😞🌱 Certain pots do not need to be watered from the bottom, such as the fabric pots we use in my garden with Joe kits where we send you everything you need to grow your own crops every month. You can check out my channel description if you want more information 😊🌱🙏 I hope you are all having a lovely week so far, and I love you all! 😊🌱💚 #organic #garden #gardening #growyourownfood #plantbased #sustainable #diy #zerowaste #gardentips #wateringplants ♬ Married Life (From "Up")