Both top and bottom watering aloe vera work well for keeping your plant healthy. Each method has its own benefits and you can pick the one that fits your routine better. The most important thing is that water reaches all the roots in the pot.
I've tested both methods on my aloe plants over the past few years. Top watering took less time and effort on busy days. Bottom watering gave me more even soil moisture but I had to set up a tray and wait for thirty minutes each time.
Bottom watering trains your roots to grow downward toward the moisture source. This creates a stronger root system over time. Top watering succulents flushes out salt and mineral buildup that can harm your plant if it stays in the soil too long.
The soak and dry technique matters more than which direction the water comes from. You want to soak the soil until moisture reaches every root in the pot. Then you let everything dry out before you water again.
To use the top aloe watering method, pour water slowly around the base of your plant. Keep pouring until water runs out the drainage holes at the bottom. Empty the saucer after fifteen to thirty minutes so roots don't sit in standing water.
For bottom watering, fill a tray or basin with two to three inches of water. Set your potted aloe in the water and wait for the soil surface to turn dark and damp. This takes about twenty to thirty minutes for most pot sizes.
I switch between both methods depending on what my plants need. When I notice white crust forming on the soil surface, I use top watering to flush out the salts. The rest of the time I bottom water for that deep even moisture.
My friend asked me which method was better when she got her first aloe last year. I told her to try both and see what worked with her schedule. She ended up using top watering on weekdays and bottom watering on weekends when she had more time.
The soak and dry technique works with either approach. Your aloe needs a good deep drink followed by time to dry out before the next watering. Most plants do well with water every two to three weeks using this method.
Some people worry that bottom watering leaves salt buildup in the soil over time. You can fix this by using top watering once a month to flush everything out. This gives you the best of both methods.
Pick the watering approach that you will stick with over time. A method you follow every time beats a perfect method you forget about. Your aloe will thrive as long as you let the soil dry fully between drinks.
Read the full article: Aloe Vera Plant Care Guide for Beginners
