• Humans drink it and cook with it. Humans wash their clothes, their dishes, their surroundings and themselves with it. We swim in it and play with it. We water our gardens and hose down our cars.

• Animals need to drink water. They also bathe in it.

• Fish and amphibians live in the water.

• Plants draw in water through their roots to make food by photosynthesis

Can you think of one single living thing that can exist without water? None? That’s because there isn’t any.

        
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Now that it’s established (no kidding) that all living things need water, the next question concerning your houseplants may be: “What kind of water?” This question is a little more challenging. There are so many variables involved that can determine the choice you make. Let’s look at some of the options.


To Tap Or Not To Tap

Tap water is usually just fine. I have used nothing but tap water since my very first houseplant two decades ago and all my plants have managed fine with it. There are even many experts that say it’s better than distilled. What many people don’t know is that there are extra nutrients in tap water that are beneficial to your plants.

That’s the good news. What’s the catch?

Depending on where you live, you may have hard water. Hard water can create deposits on the rims of pots or on your clay pellets (in soil too, but if you’re growing houseplants in hydroculture that doesn’t concern you). Is it harmful? It is more unsightly than harmful. There are some houseplants that are true hard water haters but not too many. For the genuine hard water haters, you may want to consider an alternative watering method.

If you see white crusts simply rinse your clay pellets and pots under running water to remove them. No big deal.

        
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Soft water is an entirely different matter. Avoid using softened water entirely if it’s possible. Water softeners add a form of salt in the process and the salts build up slowly over time. A high build up of salts over time can damage the roots of your plant the same way that too much fertilizing does.

Chlorine, found in tap water, is not too good for plants but I haven’t found it to be as devastating as a lot of people insist it is. But why be a rebel? It is so simple to eliminate this chemical. Allow the tap water to sit in a container overnight (I recommend 24 hours) so that the chlorine can evaporate. Letting your water sit like this is called ‘seasoning’ or ‘aging’ the water. You can then safely water your plants, sans chlorine.

Fluoride, also a chemical found in tap water, is not very appreciated by numerous houseplants. Not all areas add fluoride to their water. You would need to inquire about what chemicals are in your own local water. The difference with fluoride and chlorine is that fluoride does not dissipate no matter how long you leave water lying around. What can you do to remove the fluoride? Not much.

If you live in an area that has fluoride added to the water and you are watering your plants with tap water, my suggestion is to watch for adverse effects. Many houseplant lovers will argue that their plants are not affected by fluoride while others will argue that they are. You have to make your own determination. If you are convinced that the fluoride in your water is damaging the health of your houseplants you can always choose to use bottled, distilled or rain water. I only use tap water but I don’t have fluoride in my own local water therefore I can’t really assert that it has (or would have) no negative effect on my plants.


Distilled Water

Distilled water is water that has had all impurities removed through distillation; it has been boiled and then re-condensed (the water vapor is turned back into liquid water on a cold surface)

        
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Distilled water - as you will find if you research for information - is recommended by many houseplant hobbyists as well as professionals as the best water source. They swear by it, especially for houseplants that are very sensitive to certain chemicals found in tap water – primarily fluoride.

I have never used distilled water on my houseplants, only tap water, but then again I’ve never needed to either; my houseplants have been thriving on tap water alone. While distilled water is highly recommended as a wise alternative to tap water that has high fluoride content, distilled water also has a very low mineral content, which many others consider a disadvantage to nutrition.


Bottled Water

Bottled water is water that has been packaged for individual consumption. By simple definition, bottled water is water that is intended for human consumption, sealed in bottles or other containers, and has no added ingredients. If may contain safe and suitable anti-microbial agents and even fluoride. This type of water can come from a variety of sources; from highly processed and treated water, to natural spring water, to repackaged municipal water. When purchasing bottled water, it is important to read the labels to identify what’s in that water.

Again, bottled water is recommended by many as an excellent choice. However, it is an expensive alternative.


Rainwater

Another alternative is to collect rainwater and use it for watering your houseplants. Many hobbyists go so far as placing rain barrels outside to collect natural rainwater that they use for their garden and their houseplants.

Bear in mind that rainwater collected in the country is likely to be much healthier than rainwater collected in the city. Rainwater in urban areas is often more polluted by chemicals than treated water. So rainwater is a wonderful idea, even ecologically admirable, but if it’s too polluted to use, it’ll prove more detrimental than beneficial.

        
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It’s best to contact your city’s health department - or whatever department can provide you with the necessary information – to determine if there are any sources of pollution near your home that can affect the rainwater in your area.

Take The Chill Out

Cold water straight from the tap can be very chilly and shock your plants. Don’t stress them by pouring cold water all over their roots. Aside from the chlorine dissipating when you fill up a watering can and letting it sit overnight, you have the added benefit that the water will reach room temperature, which will be much more appreciated by your plants. Imagine someone pouring a bucket of ice cold water into your lap when you don’t expect it. How would you react?

Take the chill out.


You’re In The Driver’s Seat

Use your own discretion when deciding what’s best for your houseplants. Your plants will let you know if they’re happy or not with the type of water you’re using.

In my opinion there's no need to use bottled, distilled or rainwater that can be quite polluted if you live in the city like I do if the quality of your tap water is beneficial to your plants.

Check your water quality and treat it if necessary – and possible - to assure that your plants are not pulling in harmful elements.

The amount of information and advice available on what kind of water you should use is unlimited. In the end, only you – and your plants - can decide what’s best.