Is Filtered Water More Beneficial for House Plants, According to Expert Opinions?
Being a green thumb isn't always a breeze. You've got plenty of decisions to make: what kind of pot to use, where to place your plant so it gets enough sunlight, and what type of soil to buy. But have you given thought to the type of water you're using?
Find out if tap or filtered water is the better choice for keeping your plant baby healthy with the help of professionals in the horticulture field. Here's what they have to say:
- Chad Massura, a pro gardener and the founder and CEO of Rosy Soil
- Sara Bendrick, a landscape designer and contractor at Sarita Landscapes
Tap Water: Potential Risks
Although tapping into your home's water supply to water your plants is simple, you might want to reconsider this approach long-term. Chlorine and chloramine in tap water can interfere with soil microbiology—particularly for organic and living soils, according to Chad Massura, a green thumb guru.
Another concern is fluoride toxicity, explaining that it can cause tip burn and leaf discoloration in sensitive plants. Additionally, hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium can build up in the soil, making it difficult for roots to absorb essential nutrients. Plus, high pH levels can play a role in reducing nutrient availability, especially for acid-loving plants such as orchids and blueberries.
Tap Water: Generally Fine for Most Plants
But, if you've been using tap water and seeing your plants flourish, keep doing what you're doing, unless the quality of your drinking water suddenly falls below par. Landscape designer Sara Bendrick believes that most plants can fare well with tap water, keeping in mind that water's quality can vary in different districts.
In a pinch, tap water may even be an advantage for plants that prefer alkaline conditions, such as many species of succulents and cacti. These plants can even tolerate harder water more so than tap water with lower chlorine levels.
Filtered Water: Worth the Extra Effort?
If convenience and accessibility aren't an issue, and you have a choice between tap and filtered water, consider going the filtered route—especially for indoor plants. According to Chad Massura, filtered water eliminates the chlorine, fluoride, and salts that threaten the beneficial bacteria within your plants' soil—a factor that's crucial to their growing process.
Outside, chlorine usually hangs out with soil or gets washed away, but keeping it in a pot can have detrimental effects. In a container, chlorine can accumulate, causing damage in time.
Verdict: Should You Water Your Plants with Tap or Filtered Water?
In conclusion, while tap water may seem convenient and cost-effective, it may create problems over time due to the buildup of chlorine and fluoride. Filtered water, on the other hand, provides a purer water source for your houseplants, reducing the risk of mineral buildup and chemical damage. Whether you opt for tap or filtered water, the key is keeping an eye on your plants' reaction and adjusting watering practices as necessary.
- Chad Massura, a pro gardener and the founder and CEO of Rosy Soil, emphasizes the potential risks of using tap water for organic and living soils, as chlorine and chloramine in tap water can interfere with soil microbiology.
- Sara Bendrick, a landscape designer and contractor at Sarita Landscapes, suggests that while most plants can thrive with tap water, the water's quality can vary in different districts, and plants that prefer alkaline conditions, such as many succulents and cacti, may even benefit from it.
- Chad Massura also highlights the advantage of using filtered water for indoor plants, as it eliminates chlorine, fluoride, and salts that can threaten beneficial bacteria within the plants' soil, which is crucial to their growth process.
- The RealSimple article thanks Getty Images for providing the image used in the article with the caption number 1439055505.
