As the UK continues to experience soaring summer temperatures, houseplants and cut flowers are struggling with the heat. Compost dries out more rapidly, and stems begin to wilt, making it increasingly difficult to maintain healthy greenery indoors.
However, there is encouraging news: with just a handful of seasonal adjustments to your care routine, your plants and flowers can remain fresh and healthy. Lucy Hook, flowers and plant category lead at Bloom & Wild, has revealed her top five reasons to adopt bottom watering this summer.
How Bottom Watering Helps
Prevents Water Runoff and Superficial Watering
Lucy said: "In hot weather, soil can become compacted or hydrophobic - meaning it repels water. Top watering often results in runoff, missing the roots entirely."
"Bottom watering draws water up through the drainage holes, ensuring the entire root ball gets a deep, even soak. It's especially useful for thirsty plants like Monstera and Bird of Paradise."
Encourages Root Strength and Development
Lucy continued: "Watering from the bottom encourages roots to grow downward, strengthening the plant overall. Fast-growing summer favourites like Philodendrons, Pothos and Peace Lilies especially benefit from this deep-rooting support."
Avoids Leaf Damage
Splashing water on leaves can promote mildew, pests and even rot, especially in heat. Delicate varieties like Calatheas, Fiddle Leaf Figs, and African Violets remain "healthier when watered from below, as their leaves remain dry and undisturbed," Lucy said.
Reduces Shock and Temperature Stress
She added: "Pouring cold water onto warm soil can shock roots. Bottom watering lets plants hydrate more gradually, making it a gentler option for delicate varieties like Ferns, Peperomia, and Maidenhair Ferns."
Builds a Better Watering Rhythm
Because bottom watering saturates the soil more completely, it lengthens the time between waterings, perfect for heatwaves or holidays. Succulents, ZZ Plants and Snake Plants particularly flourish with this type of steady, root-friendly routine.
How to Bottom Water Your Houseplants
- Place your plant (in a pot with drainage holes) into a shallow bowl or sink with 2–3 inches of water
- Leave it for 15–30 minutes or until the topsoil feels damp
- Empty any excess water from the saucer to prevent root rot
- Water every two to three weeks or alternate with top watering if needed
