What water should I use to water my plants?

Many gardeners prefer tap water to water their plants for convenience. This water is abundantly available at a low price. However, have you ever wondered about the quality of this water and its impact on your plants?

Some people then turn to rainwater irrigation. Is it a good idea? Is it easy to set up? Is it suitable for all plants?

The question of choosing water for irrigation depends on various factors. We'll help you understand more!

1) Use of tap water

First of all, it's important to remember that the water coming out of your tap has been filtered and treated to be safe to drink. You won't put your plant at risk in the short term by watering it with this water . Water treatment systems are subject to very thorough health checks. You will therefore not (in principle) find any pollutants, chemicals, or heavy metals in your water.

However, tap water can be alkaline and/or hard , meaning it contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals. These minerals can build up in the plant's soil over time, causing damage. The buildup of these minerals can also lead to unsightly deposits, especially on unglazed terracotta pots.

If you use tap water for your watering, let it sit uncovered for a few hours (if possible) to allow the chlorine to evaporate. It is also recommended that you repot your plant periodically.

⚠️ We strongly advise against watering your plants with water treated by a softening system that uses salt as a release agent. These systems replace water hardness with sodium ions.⚠️

In absolute terms, the ideal solution is bottled water . However, this is completely irrational from an ecological and economic point of view. The main alternative is then the recovery of rainwater .

2) Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is the preferred solution for eco-friendly people! By opting for this solution, you will significantly reduce your water consumption and, at the same time, your bills. Rainwater generally has a slightly acidic pH that is beneficial for your plants . However, be wary of rainwater in coastal areas, which may contain traces of salt that are harmful to plant growth.

These systems are very easy to set up for homeowners. In fact, the roof of your house acts as a vast rainwater collector . You simply place a bucket or a tank at the end of the gutter to collect and use this water. It would be a shame to let this natural resource flow into the municipal wastewater system.

Then make sure that the water distribution pipes are properly maintained, as foliage quickly clogs them. For apartment gardeners, this method seems more difficult to implement because of the collectivization of gutter systems .

The cost of installing a water collector will depend on your ambitions. Individual gardeners will opt for the technique of placing a bucket of water under the gutter. Those with large gardens can opt for a proper underground water collection tank. They come in all sizes and price ranges!

⚠️ However, be careful about using rainwater during periods of high pollution in urban areas. Also, find out about pesticide use in your area. ⚠️

Water extracted from wells is one of the ideal irrigation solutions, but remains accessible to only a few people.

3) What temperature should I set the water to?

This factor may seem trivial, but it's still important to remember. Water temperature plays a big role in the root development of your plants . Your plant will not have the same mineral absorption capacity depending on the temperature.

The seasons have a significant impact on the natural temperature of the water in your pipes. It's up to you to control and regulate it.

In winter, water that's too cold will make it difficult for your plants to absorb phosphorus. You'll notice this by the darkening of your plants' stems and petioles. This phenomenon generally occurs when the water temperature drops below 15°C.

Conversely, water that is too hot will be less oxygenated, making nutrient absorption more difficult. Harmful fungi can also appear over the long term.

There's no point in overdramatizing, we're just appealing to your common sense. There's no need to buy unnecessary gadgets, just make sure the water is lukewarm by dipping your fingers in it! :-)

Our favorite:

Since fresh water is a scarce resource, we all strive to conserve it every day. However, our consumption can increase unnecessarily without our knowledge, due to hidden leaks or poor installation.

This is where Watnowa.com comes in to help individuals, professionals and communities diagnose and analyze their water consumption!

Their mission? To help you reduce your consumption anywhere in Occitanie and the South region!