Water is one of the most essential factors for the healthy growth of plants. Soil, sunlight, and nutrients are important, but the quality of water can also significantly affect how well plants grow and live. This raises a question among plant lovers, should you use RO water or tap water for plants?
Both types of water have their own pros and cons for plants and the answer largely depends on your plant needs and the water quality in your area.
In this blog post, we will cover the differences between reverse osmosis water and tap water and help you decide which is good for your plants.
What is Reverse Osmosis Water?
RO water is purified water produced using a reverse osmosis system. The system works by pushing the water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove harmful impurities, contaminants, and minerals. The result is clean, filtered water that is completely free from most toxic substances.
Characteristics of RO Water for Plants
Here are some of the most common characteristics of reverse osmosis water for plants.
1. Neutral pH level:
Reverse osmosis water normally has a neutral pH, around 6 to 7, which is completely suitable for most plants. A well-balanced pH makes sure that the nutrients in the soil or fertilizers are easily absorbed by the plant roots.
Remember, if the water is too acidic or too alkaline, then it can badly disturb the nutrient intake. That is why, using RO water for plants is the best thing you can do for your garden.
2. Purity:
RO water is highly purified, meaning it contains almost no harmful impurities such as salts, chemicals, or harmful minerals. This makes it ideal for plants that are sensitive to high levels of chlorine and heavy metals such as lead or mercury, which can harm their roots and slow their growth.
3. Low-Mineral Content:
RO water has very low levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. While few plants need these dissolved minerals, others such as orchids or carnivorous plants, live in low mineral content.
You can always add nutrients to RO water if needed, giving you more control over what the plant receives.
4. Safe for All Types of Plants:
RO water is completely safe for all types of plants because it is free from toxic chemicals and impurities. From gentle indoor plants to vegetables and flowers, RO water helps create a clean and healthy growing environment.
What is Tap Water?
Tap water is the water supplied to homes and businesses through municipal systems. Its composition varies depending on where you live, as it is often treated to meet drinking water standards. However, tap water is generally safe for humans, but its suitability for plants can vary on many factors.
Characteristics of Tap Water for Plants:
Tap water is the most common water source for plants since it is easily available and convenient to use. However, its suitability depends on some important factors. Here are four basic characteristics of tap water that affect plant health:
1. Contains Chlorine and Chemicals;
Tap water contains chlorine and chloramine, which are added to make water safe for human consumption. While, these chemicals kill bacteria in water, but they can be harmful to sensitive plants.
Chlorine may harm plant roots and slow down their overall growth. Leaving home tap water in an open container for 24 hours before use can allow some of the chlorine to evaporate, making it completely safer for plants.
2. Temperature:
The overall temperature of tap water can affect plants especially if it is too cold or too hot. Usually, plants prefer water that is at room temperature, as extremely cold water can surplice their roots and hot water can harm their growth.
Letting tap water sit in a container for some hours helps it reach the right temperature and makes it gentler on plants.
3. The pH Level:
The pH level of tap water tells how acidic or alkaline it is. Most home tap water falls between 6.5 and 8.5 on the pH scale. Many plants do well in this pH scale range, while some prefer specific levels.
For example, blueberries love acidic soil and may not live with water that is too alkaline. Regular use of tap water with the wrong pH can badly affect soil quality and plant health over time.
Which one is Better?
When it comes to watering plants, reverse osmosis water is still the better choice because it is pure and free from harmful chemicals such as chlorine. RO water also has a neutral pH, making it perfect for most plants. Plenty of plants struggle with impurities and high mineral content in home tap water, which can damage their roots or disturb their growth.
However, tap water is easily available and convenient to use, but it can be dangerous for sensitive plants. On the other hand, RO water provides you full control, so you can simply add nutrients if needed, making sure that your plant stays healthy.
Moreover, RO water is especially helpful for gentle plants or those requiring low-mineral water. By using reverse osmosis water, you can easily create a healthier, safer, and more supportive environment for your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using RO water for plants?
There are numerous advantages, some of the major ones are as follows:
- Purity
- Consistent quality
- Reduced risk of toxicity
How can I ensure my tap water is safe for plants?
You can either boil the tap water or filter it using a water filtration system to achieve maximum purity and cleanliness.
Do plants benefit from the minerals in water?
No matter if using tap or RO water, if it contains good minerals such as calcium and magnesium, they will be more likely to be healthy.
Final Words:
Ensuring your plant’s health is crucial to achieving an aesthetic feel. The water they get plays a critical role in this process. However, people often debate whether tap water should be utilized or reverse osmosis water. To make things easier, in this detailed blog post, we have made a detailed comparison, hope you will like it.