I'm wondering if there is a preferred way to water an indoor tropical plant (such as a Monstera, philodendron or pothos) - bottom watering (ie: sit the pot in a shallow pan of water and allow the roots to absorb and then drain excess) or top watering (ie: water on top of the soil with a kitchen tap and allow excess to drain)?

Do their roots absorb water better one way vs the other? Currently, I do a combination of both, depending how well the plant absorbs when bottom watered. I should also mention that I'm referring to plants in 8" size pots or smaller.

Thank you!

It depends upon what works best for you. If your plants are happy, you are doing it right. They aren't picky about which direction the water is coming from.

If you regularly fertilize, once in awhile you will have to flush the soil (from the top) to wash out the build up of salts. Don't let that water be reabsorbed by the plant.