Anyone who has gardened or kept house plants in their home has probably wondered if using tap water to water their plants is more harmful than beneficial. Should you just use bottled water?
As it turns out, the answer depends on your plants and where you live.
Most people use tap water to water their plants because it's less expensive than purchasing bottled water.
And, in most cases, tap water is sufficient for your plants.
Plus, depending on what kinds of minerals your tap water contains, the minerals may actually help fertilize your plants.
However, it is also important to know if your tap water is classified as hard water or soft water.
If you're living in an area that softens the tap water (or you have a softener for your home), then tap water might not be your best choice. Minerals are removed from water when it's softened, and adding salt to the water is a step in the softening process. As a result, the level of salt in softened water is dangerous for many plants and will harm them.
Additionally, most local tap water contains small amounts of chlorine.
Some plants are particularly sensitive to chlorine and should only be watered using purified bottled water. Plants this sensitive to chemicals should come with instructions about how to water them.
If your tap water is beginning to harm your plants you will be able to tell when the tips of their leaves begin to turn brown.
While tap water may be safe for your plants, it is not the best watering method.
Research indicates that rainwater is best for plants, followed by well water and bottled water.
Purified bottled water is safer for plants because it's virtually free of harmful particulates and has not been softened.
Bottled water has the additional benefit of coming pre-measured, which makes it easier to know exactly how much water your plants have been given. This helps prevent over-watering. However, it is extremely expensive to water a garden using only purified bottled water.
If there is no sign of damage from watering your plants with tap water, you are probably safe to continue using it.
Tap water is an inexpensive resource that is readily available, and the product is consistent. And, you don't need to purchase tap water from a store or have it delivered.
If, however, watering your plants with tap water appears to harm them, try using purified bottled water and see if there is any improvement.
