Houseplants are an essential part of our homes. They bring us joy, happiness, and beauty. Gardening also helps our environment. So why let go of the chance of helping the earth when most of the time we do harm it?
So plant trees indoors or outdoor wherever you want to be sure to give them the proper water. This article explains why tap water isn’t ideal for indoor potted plants and suggests alternatives.
Is Tap Water Bad for Plants?
Several factors differentiate different water sources and will affect the health and appearance of your plants.
- Chlorine: Water supplies are usually chlorinated to kill bacteria, making it very hard on plant roots. You may notice leaf drops or brown spots on leaves if you're growing houseplants in tap water with chlorine. This happens because chlorine inhibits the uptake of nutrients from the soil into the leaves and stems. To help prevent this from happening, try using distilled or de-chlorinated bottled water for your plants instead of tap water when possible.
- Fluoride: Fluoride is another chemical added to many municipal supplies as part of a fluoridation program intended to prevent tooth decay by reducing dental caries (tooth decay). No doubt, fluoride protects teeth from corrosion but can also harm houseplants by inhibiting nutrient uptake through their roots.
What is wrong with tap water?
- Tap water can contain a lot of chemicals. Tap water quality varies from city to city and even from home to home. Some cities have stricter regulations than others, but all tap water in the United States exposes, in one way or another, harmful chemicals in some form or other. Some chemicals are added intentionally by the local water provider, while others leach into the groundwater from industrial waste sites nearby.
- Tap water can contain minerals in excessive amounts. Minerals like calcium and magnesium are essential for plant growth, but too much of them will create an unhealthy environment for your houseplants. If you notice that your houseplants aren't growing as fast as they should be, try changing your tap water brand and see if they grow faster after that switch.
- Tap water may contain bacteria or other organisms that could harm plants if ingested by them directly through their roots.
Why you should avoid tap water:
Tap water isn't just full of chemicals; it also contains many substances that aren't good for your plants. If you don't want bottled water, here are some reasons you shouldn't use tap water to water your indoor plants.
1. There are harmful chemicals in tap water.
2. You might kill your plants because of the wrong temperatures.
3. tap water quality varies greatly depending on where you live.
4. Even though you think you've got clean tap water, bacteria and viruses still float around.
5. Tap water doesn't always contain enough minerals to grow healthy plants.
6. Some say tap water is better for plants than bottled water.
How to use tap water?
We've discovered that distilled water works better than regular tap water when watering your houseplants. But there are some things you need to know about how to do it correctly.
You can use tap water to grow your plants, but it takes a bit of extra work. First, you'll want to make sure that the tap water is at its cleanest. If it hasn't doesn't use in a while, you'll probably need to let it run for a few minutes to clear out any sediment.
Then, you'll want to ensure that the water is at room temperature. This way, you won't kill off your plant's roots.
Once you're ready to start watering, here's what you need to know.
1. Warm water should be added to a bucket.
2. Add one cup of white vinegar to the bucket.
3. Place your plant into the bucket.
4. Let the plant soak for 15 minutes.
Can I use carbonated water for my plants?
- Carbonated water can be too acidic for plants, leading to root rot and damage.
- If a plant is in an enclosed container with carbonated water, the pressure could cause the container to burst.
- Plants already have enough work to do without dealing with high levels of CO2 in their environment.
Can I use bottled drinking water for my houseplants?
When it comes to the water you use for your houseplants, you should consider a few things. First, tap water regulates by the EPA, and bottled drinking water isn't. This means tap water is likely cleaner and safer than bottled drinking water.
Even if your municipality tests its tap water quite frequently, it's still up to you to determine whether or not they're doing an excellent job of keeping its system clean and healthy.
The second thing you should keep in mind when deciding whether or not it's safe for your plants is how expensive it is. Although many people think buying bottled drinking water daily can save them money in the long run (and maybe even help them live healthier), this isn't true.
Bottled drinking water costs much more per gallon than city tap does—and sometimes twice as much. So while we're on the subject, what about those reusable bottles? Aren't they better than plastic bottles because they reduce waste?
Can I use rainwater to water your plants??
If you've got a rain barrel, or if the rainwater collected in your gutters is clean enough that you're comfortable drinking it, then, by all means, use it. Rainwater can be used to water plants.
However, because it contains minerals from the earth (and therefore has salt content), using it on plants can lead to leaf burn and other issues.
If you have access to distilled water or reverse osmosis (RO) treated water, those are always better options for watering your plants than rainwater or tap water.
So, which water should I use?
Plant lovers are always looking for ways to improve their indoor environment. They want to ensure that their houseplant gets enough sunlight, fresh air, and water.
However, there is one thing that most people don't consider when caring for their plants: what type of water is best for them.
There are three main types of water: distilled water, filtered water, and rainwater. Distilled water is the purest form of water, while rainwater is the most miniature pure. Filtered water falls somewhere in the middle.
Distilled water is excellent for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. If you're concerned about bacteria or germs, distilled water is good because it doesn't contain anything harmful. This makes it perfect for washing fruits and vegetables.
Filtered water is slightly less pure than distilled water but still contains fewer contaminants than tap water. You'll find filtered water in restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels. It's safe for drinking, but it won't kill off any unwanted microbes that might live in your home.
Rainwater is the least pure of the three types of water. Plants like rainwater because it contains minerals and nutrients that help them grow. Roof gutters collect rainwater. While rainwater isn't suitable for drinking, it does provide essential nutrients to plants.
So, how do you choose the proper water for your houseplant? Well, it will depend on what kind of plant you have.
Some plants prefer rainwater, some prefer distilled water, and others prefer filtered water. Here are some tips for choosing the best type of water for your houseplant:
- For flowering plants, use distilled water.
Frequently asked questions
1. How much water do plants need?
You should take natural cues when deciding how much water to give your plants, since not all plants need the same amount.
2. What Should You Do If Your Plants Are Suffering?
If you see any wilting leaves, it's time to water your plants.
3. How do I know if my plants need water?
The best way to tell if your plants need water is to stick your finger about an inch into the potting mix ( The Sill), and if it feels dry, break out the watering can.
4. How do I soak my plants?
It's better to pour on enough to thoroughly soak the soil around each plant until water starts to run out of the container's drainage hole.
5. Which plant is so sensitive to cold water?
calatheasalocasiaficuses plant sensitive to cold water
6. how to remove chemicals from water?
water filters
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope these answers will help you understand more about water and plants. We also hope they will inspire you to start growing your houseplants. So, grow plants like a pro and take care of your plant with the right water.
