I Tried Bottom Watering for 30 Days
I bottom-watered all my plants for 30 days. Here’s what happened compared to top watering.
The Setup
Half my plants: bottom water. Half: top water. Same seeds, same soil, same light.
The Results
| Metric | Bottom Water | Top Water |
|---|---|---|
| Mold on soil | 0 | 3 pots |
| Fungus gnats | 0 | Yes |
| Root depth | Deeper | Shallower |
| Growth | Same | Same |
What I Noticed
- No mold. Top watering wet the surface.
- No gnats. Dry surface = no gnats.
- Better roots. Plants grew roots downward.
- Slower. Takes 10-30 min per watering.
What I Do Now
Bottom water for seedlings and indoor plants. Top water for outdoor established plants.