Did I catch your attention? I’m not afraid to say this out loud on the internet, I make my plants butt-chug. And, they LOVE it.
Before you click away thinking I’ve lost it, let me explain. I’ve started using a collapsible dog pool (yes, for dogs) as a genius way to water multiple plants at once. Here’s how it works, why it’s better for your plants, and why this $20–$30 pool is now a must-have plant tool.
💧 Bottoms Up: Why Bottom Feeding Is Better
Bottom watering (butt-chugging) is when you water your plants by letting them soak up moisture from the bottom rather than pouring water on top. Why?
- It encourages roots to grow deeper and stronger
- It prevents overwatering and helps avoid root rot
- It’s just easier when you’ve got a lot of plants to hydrate.
So instead of standing over each plant with a watering can like it’s a full-time job, I grab my collapsible dog pool, mix in my liquid plant food (blog to come), fill the pool with water, and let the plants take care of the rest.
🌿 How I Do It
I load the pool up with my thirsty babies, anything from small 4″ pots to bigger 10″ ones, depending on how many need love that day. Then I:
- Mix liquid plant food right into the water.
- Let the plants soak for 20 minutes to an hour, depending on their size and how dry the soil is.
- Sit back and feel like the Plant Queen I was born to be.
Once the chug-fest is over, I drain the pool using the side plug, fold it up, and slide it back behind a shelf or in the garage. No giant plastic tubs taking up space. No mess. No back pain. Just happy, hydrated plants.
🪴 Why the Collapsible Dog Pool Wins
I know it sounds weird, but this thing is:
- Wide enough to fit multiple pots at once
- Sturdy, even when filled with water
- Drainable from the side (no lugging and dumping)
- Foldable, so it takes up almost no space when stored
Compared to plastic bins or trays? Total game-changer. And bonus: you can reuse the leftover nutrient water for your outdoor plants or garden!
Mai Household Mayhem 