What’s The Best Water For Plants: Tap, Bottle, Rain?
Houseplants are a lovely addition to any home. They’re not only stunning to look at, but they also add life to a room’s decor and can even improve your overall air quality. However, caring for plants is a bit more complicated than people assume. They’re susceptible to environmental factors like sunlight, temperature and how much water they receive. In fact, even minor details such as the type of water being used can affect your plants’ health. Here’s how to figure out what the best water for plants is — and how to keep your greenery thriving long term:
Which Type of Water is Best?
So, what’s the best water for plants in your home? Although most people fill their watering cans with tap water, that may not be the best type to keep your plants healthy. Instead, homeowners should use rain, well or even bottled water. Why? It has to do with what’s in the water – rain, well and bottled water are the purest options. However, keep in mind that using bottled water to keep your plants healthy may be a waste of money and valuable natural resources. Your best bet? Gathering rainwater or melted snow. If using tap water, try to use a filtered version.
Avoid Hard Water
If you live in an area with hard water, it’s even more important to avoid using tap water. Hard water contains extra minerals that are bad for your plants. If you want to use your tap water, run it through a filtration system first. However, it’s important to note that softened water could be just as bad – it sometimes contains salt, which can affect the health of your plants and flowers.
How to Gather Natural Water
If rainwater is the best water for plants, how can you gather it? Luckily, it’s relatively simple. For rain, use containers that have a large opening, like big cans or jars. Make sure they’re completely clean to ensure they don’t transfer any additives to the water you collect. Then, when it starts to rain, just set them outside on your porch or under a downspout. Bring them in when they’re full, pour them into a clean jug, and set them outside again to collect more.
If you’re planning to use melted snow, it’s important to make sure you gather it from areas where there’s no chance of picking up sidewalk salt or other debris. Shovel snow into clean bins, bring them inside and let the water melt. Then, transfer the water to jugs for storage.
Does Temperature Matter?
Yes, the temperature does matter when it comes to the water you use for your houseplants. It should be neither ice cold nor warm – room temperature is best. If you’re using rainwater or snow, let it sit indoors for a couple of days to make sure it’s a suitable temperature.
What About for Cut Arrangements?
The type of water you use in vases for cut arrangements is vital if you’re hoping to extend the life of your blooms. Or rather, it’s crucial to not use hard water. If you live in a hard water area, use bottled or other filtered water, and don’t forget to mix it with the plant food solution given to you by the florist.
Using the best water for plants in your home can help you keep your favorite flowers and plants thriving year round. Explore Teleflora for stunning arrangements and luscious houseplants that can add even more life to your home!
Having a green thumb is not innate, it is a talent that must be earned through hard work, patience and dedicated learning. An easy rule of proper gardening and plant care is to water your plants. But, as with all gardening, even hydrating your garden can lead to complications and poor plant health. To know if your plants happen to be struggling from overwatering, take a look at these five signs below. Don’t stress, if you have overwatered, you are only guilty of giving too much love. Learn the signs of overwatering here:
Wet and Wilting
It looks wilted, but the soil is wet. If your plant is green, well-watered and still struggling, you may have overwatered. This is the easiest sign that your plant has had a little too much agua. To prevent yourself from making this mistake again, only water your plants when the soil is dry to the touch. This little tip will keep you aware of plants that are in need of a good bath, and away from those who are full.
Brown Leaves
If the leaves turn brown and wilt, there is the possibility that you have been overwatering. At this point it may be difficult to tell whether a plant is wilting because of poor health, or improper water levels. Often, gardeners react quickly and throw on an extra pour or two of water in the hopes that the leaves will perk up. Before doing this, be sure to check your soil to see if it is wet. This doesn’t mean eyeing the top layer to see if it looks dry. Take and finger and place it into the soil at a point somewhere near the plant’s base. If the soil still feels dry, it may need water.
Edema
The third sign that your plant has been overwatered is edema. If a plant has absorbed more water than it needs, it can cause the plant’s cells to expand and stress. Often, these cells are filled to the point of rupturing. You can check for signs of burst cells by noticing any blisters or lesions on the plant. Eventually, these lesions will turn to dark or even white scar tissue. Another sign of edema is indentations on the top of leaves.
Yellow Falling Leaves
If you happen to have both yellowing leaves and new growth falling from your plant, there is a good chance you are overwatering. Try to remember to water your plants only when the soil is dry.
Root Rot
Not only does the plant show signs of overwatering in its leaves and flowers, but the roots can also be an indication. When the soil is dense with water, it can limit the ability of the roots to breathe, they will then drown and begin to rot. Plant root rot is a fungal disease that will cause the roots to turn grey, brown or slimy and will eventually cause the plant to wilt. If a plant has root rot it is best to remove it from any garden bed so it cannot spread the disease.
If overwatering is an issue that may cause you stress, choose plants that will help you alleviate that stress. Pick plants that don’t require much water like succulents. This will save you time and stress without sacrificing the beauty of having a houseplant around.