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Instead of Tap Water

Is Distilled Water an Alternative for Watering Plants?

Tap water can be calcareous in places, but is distilled water an alternative for watering houseplants?
Tap water can be calcareous in places, but is distilled water an alternative for watering houseplants? Photo: Getty Images

December 15, 2024, 2:07 pm | Read time: 2 minutes

Rainwater is the best for watering plants. But not everyone has the opportunity to collect enough rainwater. So you are forced to use tap water. However, you often read that plants can die if you water them with tap water because it is too calcareous. So, if rainwater and tap water are no longer available, is distilled water perhaps an alternative?

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Plants require consistent and ample hydration to survive and flourish. Yet, it’s crucial not to overlook the type of water used for irrigation. Particularly with sensitive plants, you should be careful what you water them with. If the water is highly calcareous, might distilled water serve as a suitable alternative for watering houseplants?

This is What Happens When You Water Houseplants with Distilled Water

Using distilled water for houseplants is not the best practice. While distilled water is free of lime, which is beneficial, it also lacks other essential minerals and nutrients vital for plant health. Therefore, it’s only moderately suitable for the hydration of houseplants.

Using distilled water for a brief period poses no harm to houseplants. However, for long-term watering with distilled water, supplementing with the right fertilizer is crucial.

Why Are Minerals and Nutrients So Important for Plants?

Plants need minerals and nutrients for a variety of vital functions. They are essential for the growth, development, and metabolism of plants.

Plants will exhibit signs of deficiencies if they lack adequate minerals and nutrients. This results in stunted growth, discolored leaves, and weakened defenses, making them more vulnerable to diseases and pests.

Magnesium, for example, is essential for survival. Without this mineral, a plant cannot produce chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is necessary for the plant to perform photosynthesis. A plant’s inability to transform sunlight into energy inhibits its growth.

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Preparing Tap Water Containing Lime for Plants

Lime can be detrimental to plant health. Over time, lime accumulates in the soil, preventing plants from absorbing necessary nutrients. However, if you only have tap water that is rich in limescale and distilled water is not an alternative, there is another option: if you take water from the tap, you should leave it to stand at least overnight. This allows sufficient time for the limescale to settle at the bottom of the container. It has not completely disappeared, but it has been reduced.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

Topics Houseplants Leitungswasser Water
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