Watering your plants with demineralized water?

Do you have demineralized water at home and are wondering if you can water your plants with it? Would you like to know if this water is better than the hard water from your tap? Is it recommended for all plants? Are there any side effects?

We are passionate about watering issues and we know exactly how to help you.

Watering with demineralized water is recommended for plants that cannot tolerate minerals or limescale. Demineralized water does not cause any accumulation of these minerals in the soil. However, it is not recommended to water plants that do not tolerate limescale daily.

In this article, you will discover:

• The different types of water and what they provide to plants,
• The difference between mineralized water and distilled water,
• The most fragile plants that like purified water,
• Our tips for removing traces of bleach and chlorine from tap water.

Using demineralized water will no longer hold any secrets for you. You will know exactly what type of water to use, depending on your plants.

Enough talk, let's take action together now.

1. Is demineralized water the best source of water for plants?

Before getting into the heart of the matter, it is important to understand what demineralized water is.

We will also compare it to other water sources, to better understand its advantages and disadvantages.

A) Why choose to use demineralized water for your plants?

Demineralized water has gone through a series of chemical steps to remove all the impurities it contained. The result is water purified of all limestone , minerals and chemicals . It is characterized by its odorless and colorless appearance.

Its most common use is for irons to prevent limescale deposits. These deposits would clog your steam iron once the water has evaporated and leave limescale marks on your clothes.

In gardening, this water is ideal for watering the most delicate indoor plants. Its main effect will be to prevent the accumulation of minerals in the soil.

B) Hard water VS demineralized water

Depending on your region, your tap water may be particularly hard. No two tap waters are the same, but water hardness is a common issue.

If your water is particularly hard and you use a water softener, you should avoid giving it to your plants. The salts used are not good for plants and can hinder their growth.

To summarize, if your plant is calcifuge , do not give it hard tap water. And this is true even if you use a softener.

C) Mineral water VS demineralized water

The mineral content of water varies depending on where it comes from. Mineral water generally comes from an underground aquifer containing many minerals. Conversely, rainwater comes from the sky and is usually not very mineralized. The best mineralized waters are bottled water, but your tap water also contains a significant amount.

Mineral water is therefore beneficial to most plants. Minerals are important nutrients for their growth. Demineralized water should be reserved for plants that cannot tolerate minerals (we explain which ones in part 2).

Aquarium water is another example of beneficial and very rich water for plants. It contains traces of organic waste created by your fish, which makes an excellent fertilizer. Find out how to water with mineral water .

D) Distilled water VS demineralized water

Water distillation mimics natural hydrological cycles in which impurities are separated as water evaporates. Distillation uses this evaporation and subsequent condensation to filter the water.

Minerals and other contaminants have a higher boiling point than water and cannot evaporate at the same time. This results in 99.9% pure water because all contaminants, such as chemicals and heavy metals, are removed.

So, yes, you can use distilled water to irrigate your plants, but the good minerals that contribute to plant health and growth have been removed. If you grow hydroponically, you risk having a calcium or magnesium deficiency.

But what is the difference compared to demineralized water?

The advantage of demineralized water over distilled water is that it's cheaper and easier to find in stores. This is because demineralization is simpler and less expensive than distillation. It's also possible to distill your tap water yourself.

2. Does your plant need purified water?

We now have a clearer understanding of the benefits and composition of mineral-free water. It's now time to discover the plants that benefit from this water.

Here are lists of plants that are particularly fond of it and those that prefer well-mineralized water.

A) Water your carnivorous plants with demineralized water

Many carnivorous plants have evolved in nutrient-poor soils and root systems adapted to this low mineral content. Insect capture allows them to compensate for the nutrient shortage. Their roots are therefore naturally hypersensitive to excess minerals.

To adapt to these natural conditions, it is advisable to grow them in nutrient-poor soils (sphagnum, peat, perlite, horticultural sand). Highly mineralized water could then disrupt this balance.

This is particularly the case for the Venus flytrap, also known as the Venus flytrap . Water rich in minerals would burn its roots. Stress syndromes would appear, such as browning of the leaves and wilting of the stems. If nothing is done, the death of the carnivorous plant follows. We therefore advise you without hesitation to use distilled or demineralized water .

Using rainwater is also a great alternative. It's also easier to collect. If you live in a detached house, simply place a bucket of water below your gutter outlet. Another, slightly more challenging method is to collect morning dew .

B) Plants that do not need filtered water

Demineralized and distilled water should be reserved for indoor plants. The plants in your garden or vegetable patch are already irrigated with rainwater, which is very pure water.

Even when watered manually, outdoor plants are still able to filter minerals and contaminants from the water on their own. Being in the ground, rather than in a pot, prevents excessive retention of these elements.

But be careful not to overdo it: daily use of demineralized water is not recommended for most plants, which need minerals.

3. How can I reduce the chlorine in tap water myself?

Our tip should be of interest to you if you don't have demineralized water and have to use tap water.

The water that flows from our taps is purified and treated , but it sometimes contains traces of chlorine. This small amount of chlorine helps keep our water healthy by preventing the growth of bacteria and microorganisms.

However, this chlorine is not optimal for the growth of our plants. Their soil is composed of these microorganisms that thrive in the soil and nourish the root system.

Although we're talking about microdoses of chlorine here, it's always best to eliminate it. The good news is that this is very simple to implement; all you need is your favorite watering can.

• Fill your watering can normally from the tap.
• Then let it sit overnight. This will allow the chlorine to evaporate on its own.
• Then grab your watering can and water!

This method is very useful for the majority of plants, but we still advise you to use demineralized water for the most fragile plants.

Grab your watering can and take action!

As you can see, demineralized water can be really useful for watering certain plants. The type of water you use is one of the keys to growing ever-greener plants.

You are now an expert on the subject and know exactly the benefits of each water on your plant.

That's why we recommend choosing a watering can that matches your ambitions. This timeless gardening tool will allow you to irrigate your plants with unparalleled precision. A long-spout watering can allows you to precisely hydrate the root system of your plants, without the risk of drowning them.

Discover them now by clicking on the image below.