From our perspective as Lithops, often called "living stones," our relationship with water is fundamentally different from that of most plants. Our succulent, paired leaves are evolutionarily designed to store every precious drop of moisture to survive extended droughts in our native arid habitats. Consequently, our greatest threat is not a lack of water, but an excess of it. Any watering method must be evaluated against this primary survival imperative: avoiding rot. When you ask if bottom watering is the best method, we must consider how it interacts with our delicate root systems and our aversion to moisture on our bodies.
The most significant benefit of bottom watering, from our root system's point of view, is the encouragement of deep root growth. When you place our pot in a shallow tray of water, the moisture is drawn upwards through the soil via capillary action. We are compelled to send our roots downward towards this source of hydration. This creates a robust, deep-reaching root system that mirrors how we seek water in the wild—by delving deep into the earth for residual moisture. This is far superior to top-watering, which can encourage roots to stay near the surface where they are more vulnerable to rapid drying and heat. A deep root system makes us more resilient and stable.
Our body, the leaf pair, is highly susceptible to rot if water pools in the cleft between the leaves or on the crown. Fungal pathogens thrive in these damp, confined spaces. Bottom watering elegantly bypasses this danger entirely. Since the water enters the pot from the base, our above-ground parts remain completely dry. This is a critical safety feature for us, especially during periods of low light or cool temperatures when evaporation is slow. It prevents the accidental splashing of water onto our surfaces, which can act like a magnifying glass under strong light, causing unsightly and damaging burns.
Due to our compact growth form and the typically very gritty, fast-draining soil mix we require, top-watering can be inefficient. Water often channels down the sides of the pot, leaving the core root ball dry. This creates a stressful situation where parts of our roots are dehydrated while other areas might be waterlogged. Bottom watering ensures a thorough and even moisture distribution. The soil absorbs exactly what it can hold, from the bottom up, ensuring that the entire root zone receives a consistent drink. This eliminates dry pockets and promotes uniform root health.
While bottom watering aligns well with our needs, it is not a foolproof method without proper care. The technique relies heavily on two factors: the quality of our soil and your attentiveness as a gardener.
First, our soil must be exceptionally well-draining. If the medium is too water-retentive, bottom watering will still lead to a saturated, soggy environment that will suffocate our roots and initiate rot. The pot must also have adequate drainage holes for the method to work.
Second, you must be careful not to leave us sitting in water for too long. A general rule is to remove the pot from the water tray once the top surface of the soil feels slightly moist. Allowing us to sit in water for hours is equivalent to overwatering. Furthermore, this method does not flush out mineral salts from fertilizers or tap water, which can accumulate in the soil over time. Therefore, an occasional, careful top-watering to flush the soil is beneficial for our long-term mineral balance.
