Houseplants beautify your home, improve the indoor climate and make you feel good. But you can go wrong when watering them – especially if you use distilled water. You may have heard that it is particularly pure. But is that really true? Is it good or bad to water houseplants with it? Find out here.
What is distilled water anyway?
Distilled water is completely free of salts, minerals and other substances and is particularly suitable for technical devices in the household, is found in several components and circuits in cars and is also used in medicine. But can you also water your plants with purified water?
It only contains H₂O – nothing else. That sounds perfect at first, because it doesn’t contain any substances that are potentially harmful to plants, such as lime. But beware: your green pets also need certain minerals that are found in normal tap water.
Is it good for your houseplants?
If you water houseplants with distilled water, they won’t get any harmful substances, but they won’t get any nutrients either. This can be particularly problematic in the long term. Plants such as ferns or orchids, which are sensitive to lime, benefit from this for a short time. However, most other plants lack an important source of minerals.
When does it make sense to use it?
You can use distilled water if you mix it with rainwater or stale tap water. This prevents limescale deposits without sacrificing minerals. Alternatively, you can regularly add plant fertilizer if you don’t want to use alternative types of water.
You may also be interested in these articles:
Watering houseplants with distilled water – yes or no?
Watering your green friends with it is not fundamentally bad – but it is not ideal either. In the short term, it is suitable for limescale-sensitive species. In the long term, you should ensure a balanced water supply. It is best to mix it with tap water, add fertilizer or use rainwater directly. Your plants will thank you for it!
Source: My Homebook
