Ask Madi!

Q: Are my tap water salts harming my plants, should I use filtered/rain water??

A: Tap water can affect your plants, but it really depends on the type of plant you have. Some more sensitive varieties like Calatheas and Anthuriums tend to “throw a fit” when exposed to the minerals, chlorine, or fluoride often found in tap water, and they’ll do much better with distilled or rainwater. That said, not all plants are that picky there are many common houseplants that will tolerate tap water just fine, and some even that benefit from the calcium and minerals it contains.

The key is knowing your plant – some prefer those added minerals, while others thrive with less, which is why distilled water can make a difference for certain species. Overall, you don’t have to get fancy if you don’t want to I can ensure you plenty of plants will happily grow with regular tap water. But if you’re willing to go the extra mile and use distilled or rainwater for your more sensitive plants, you’ll likely see them thrive and appreciate it. Come see us at Covington’s for more guidance on what your specific plants prefer!