Was sure my snake plant was done for until I tried bottom watering for a month

I nearly tossed this big snake plant back in February. The leaves were all floppy and wrinkled no matter what I did. I was watering from the top like always but the soil was staying wet on top while the bottom was bone dry. A guy at a nursery in Austin told me to try bottom watering. Just set the pot in a tray of water for like 20 minutes once a week. After 3 weeks the new leaves started coming in straight. Anyone else have a plant they almost gave up on that just needed a different watering method?

3 comments

3 Comments

pat_schmidt601mo ago

Oh man I feel your pain. I almost threw out a pothos that was just sulking for months until I realized I was drowning it with top watering. The bottom watering trick saved mine too though I do it for about 30 minutes since the pot is deeper. It's wild how stubborn some plants can be when they're just not getting water the right way. Glad your snake plant pulled through.

simon71718d ago

@pat_schmidt60 you changed my mind honestly never thought bottom watering could make that big a difference.

drewsullivan1mo ago

No way, that 30 minute soak makes total sense for deeper pots. I actually had a different problem though. Over here my snake plant was looking sad because I was too scared to water it at all. Bottom watering let me see exactly when the top soil finally got damp. Otherwise I'd second guess myself every single time. @pat_schmidt60 you're right that it's all about the delivery method. These plants don't care how much we fuss over them they just want the science to be right.