My love for houseplants began with an experiment in terrariums in the mid 2010s. While this initial experiment was ill-fated (for the life of me I could not keep them alive) it did kick off a huge passion that I have kept up ever since.
While all of my terrariums eventually died a crispy death, they were a gateway drug to a luscious indoor garden I have kept cultivated ever since. When it comes to keeping my house plants happy and healthy, there is one watering tip I always follow. After a lot of trial and error, I learned that one of the most common issues I was facing with my indoor plants were fungus gnats.
These immensely irritating little flies love damp soil, and can cause damage to your plants. Their larvae feed on the roots of your plants and can spread disease. In addition to this, they are also incredibly annoying and have a tendency to make you feel insane when you see them buzzing in your peripheral vision.
I have learned that the best way to banish fungus gnats from your home completely is with one change to the watering schedule of your plants.
By bottom watering, you reduce the risk of fungus gnats because the upper layers of the soil stay dry.
To bottom water your houseplants, you first need to make sure that the pot they are in has drainage holes in the bottom.
Fill a shallow-ish dish with water – I use a glass roasting tray as it fits my plants into it and allows me to see the water level as I water them. I always use filtered water as I live in London and don’t trust the water quality from the tap.
Once you have your water ready, simply place your plants into the water and wait. I usually leave my plants for about half an hour each.
By allowing your plants to sit in the water, you not only lower the risk of fungus gnats but also encourage the roots of your plants to grow downwards. This means stronger root growth, more consistent soil moisture and is also less messy than the usual watering.
By bottom watering, you won’t overfill your plants and spill wet earth everywhere, and it will encourage your plants to grow larger and stronger.
This is the only way I have found to fully eliminate gnats, and I also find it very satisfying to watch the water levels drop as my plants take what water they need.