Plants: we love them, they add oxygen to our home and take out any unwanted airborne contaminants from the air. Taking care of plants is important; you want to make sure that you’re able to sustain their life or even extend it. So, should you use filtered water for plants? Absolutely you should. Whether or not you have a green thumb, you should know the best way to give your plants clean water.
Get your free water test done when you contact ONIT Home online or by giving us a call at 1-833-433-0331.
Why You Should Use Filtered Water For Plants
One major concern with our tap water is that there are contaminants. While you may not be able to see or taste it, there are plenty of unwanted chemicals lurking in the water. One common chemical found in tap water is chlorine.
What’s Wrong With Chlorine?
Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in water treatment systems. Chlorine can kill viruses and bacteria commonly found in municipal water. However, there are some negatives that occur when ingesting chlorine. Some of these negative effects include:
- Congenital abnormalities
- Bladder cancer
- Asthma symptoms
- Food allergies
- Bad taste and smell
These affect humans, and it’s important to remember that plants are a living organism as well. If you don’t want to give your body water with chlorine, don’t give it to your pets either.
Fluoride in Water
Fluoride was added to water for dental health. This is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in soil, rocks and air. Fluoride can help with strengthening enamel, preventing cavities, rebuilding or remineralizing weakened enamel, reversing signs of tooth decay and preventing growth of oral bacteria. As a result, fluoride for plants isn’t healthy either.
There are plants that are especially sensitive to fluoride, and can damage the plants. According to Gardenoligist, the best way to figure out if your plant is sensitive or reacting poorly to fluoride is damage or a burned/browned look to the leaves. This starts at the tip of the leaf, so keep an eye out for any damage.
Here are examples of plants that are sensitive to fluoride found in tap water:
- Spider plants
- Palms
- Dracaenas
- Peace Lily
- Bamboo
- Spineless Yucca
- Boston Fern
Water Softeners Effect on Plants
If you have a hard water problem, you may have installed an ion exchange system, or otherwise known as a water softener. This type of water is not suitable for plants, as the sodium content is too high. If you notice a build-up of white crusts in your plants’ soil, your plant is telling you that there is too much sodium in the water.
Do you know what’s in your water? ONIT Home is here to test your water for free so you know exactly what type of filtration system you need.
What Water Should You Give Your Plants?
There are two types of water to go for: rainfall and filtered water for plants. Knowing that not everyone lives in an area where they can collect a sustainable amount of rain water, plant owners should look to have a home filtration system. Home filtration systems are often reverse osmosis water filters.
A reverse osmosis system removes sediments and contaminants from water by pushing water through membrane filters. For an in depth look at reverse osmosis systems, read our post that details the functionality of reverse osmosis systems.
Other Forms of Filtration
However, if you’re looking for a water filter to only remove chlorine, you can use a cheaper option with an activated carbon filter. Activated carbon filters remove chlorine from the water. These filters can be found with products like Brita or Pur. Here are some options for activated carbon filters in pitcher form, making it a quick way to water your plants.
Brita Grand Large Pitcher
- Filter life: 40 gallons, roughly two months
- Where to buy: Brita, Amazon, Target, Walmart
Brita Monterey with Longlast Filter
- Filter life: 120 gallons, roughly six months
- Where to buy: Brita, Amazon, Target, Walmart
Brita Soho with Longlast Filter
- Filter Life: 120 gallons, roughly six months
- Where to buy: Brita, Amazon, Target, Walmart
Pur CR1100CV Classic Water Pitcher Filter, 11 Cup
- Filter Life: 40 gallons, or roughly two months
- Where to buy: Amazon
Nakii Water Filter
- Filter Life: 150 gallons, or roughly six to seven months
- Where to buy: Amazon
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Do You Know What’s Really In Your Water?
If you go and fill up a glass of water and look closely, you’re not going to see anything with your naked eye. That’s where we come in. ONIT offers free water testing with same day results. This way, you know exactly what is in your water.
Not only should you plants have filtered water, but you should too. There are incredible health benefits to filtered water, such as softer and brighter skin and increased metabolism. Filtered water also benefits your home appliances, giving longer life and avoiding early replacement costs.