Do You Water Aloe Vera from the Top or Bottom? If you are not sure, then don’t worry! We have the right technique with details!
Do You Water Aloe Vera from the Top or Bottom? Not sure? Well, don’t fret! We will tell you the right way to do it to ensure it stays healthy and thrives!
Find How Often Do You Water Aloe Vera Plants? here
How to Water Aloe Vera Plants?
Similar to other succulents, Aloe vera thrives in hot and dry environments and does not require frequent watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s important to keep watering to a minimum.
Watering your indoor aloe vera plant from the bottom is key to ensuring its health year-round. This method can also benefit other plants in your collection by promoting healthy root growth.
- Check if your aloe vera plant pot has drainage holes and if they are not clogged.
- Place the pot on a drainage tray for easier bottom watering.
- Pour water into the tray and wait for it to get absorbed through osmosis.
- Keep adding more water to the tray whenever it dries up.
- Stop watering when the water remains in the tray for more than 15-18 minutes, indicating that the soil is fully saturated.
- Do not water aloe vera again until the topsoil becomes completely dry, which can be checked through the finger test.
Check Out 19 Plants that Look like Aloe Vera But are Not
Why You Should Water Aloe Vera from the Bottom – Not the Top
Aloe vera plants, like all succulents, stores most of their moisture in their leaves, giving them their signature plump, green appearance. This allows them to thrive in dry desert conditions, as well as in air-conditioned or heated indoor environments.
Watering from the top is not the ideal method for watering aloe vera plants as it only wets the leaves, not the roots, which require a thorough watering. While some plants can transfer water from their leaves to the rest of the plant, this is not the case for aloe vera and many other plants.
When the moisture is only limited to the top layer of soil, the transport of vital nutrients to the leaves via the roots is hindered. This could lead to weak growth and wilted, discolored leaves.
Tip: For bottom-watering aloe vera, immerse the bottom of the plant’s root system in a tray of water. This method not only quenches the plant’s thirst but also strengthens the root system.
Learn How to Bottom Water Your Plants + Houseplants that Love Bottom Watering here
How to Water Aloe Vera from the Top – If it is Really Essential
While watering aloe vera from the bottom is the best method, if it’s not feasible, you can still water it from the top with caution. To prevent overwatering or underwatering, consider the following tips for top watering aloe vera to keep it healthy.
- Ensure that there is a drainage hole in the pot to avoid overwatering.
- Use a watering can with a slow trickle, or pour water slowly to prevent saturation of the topsoil layer.
- Water the soil from the sides of the pot, avoiding the leaves as much as possible, and turn the pot as you go for even distribution.
- Water until water starts to come out from the drainage hole.
- Place the pot on a tray to catch any excess water, and empty the tray to prevent root rot.
Learn About Watering Systems You Can Create for Gardens here
When To Water Aloe Vera Plant?
To keep your Aloe Vera plant healthy, it is important to water only when the soil is dry up to 2 inches (5 cm) deep. Don’t water if the soil is still moist, as this can lead to root rot and cause the leaves to shrivel and rot.
In addition to testing the soil, checking the leaves is also an effective way to determine if your aloe plant needs water. If the leaves appear flat or wrinkled, it’s a sign that the plant needs water.
