Water and light, two of the most necessary things that plants need, but not all water is created equal. 

Some plants prefer distilled, others tolerate tap water (but would prefer filtered), some are very thirsty, and others hardly need a drink. It helps to get to know your plants and their preferences so you can give them the best H20 around.  

First, it’s important to know when you need to water your plants. Once you figure out what they respond best to, then you can narrow down what kind of water they’ll drink up best.  

For certain plants, like ZZ plants, snake plants and many succulents, having a drink about 1x per month is enough to keep them happy. More than that could be overwatering which can lead to root rot! For these plants, a safe way to gauge when they need water is to feel the soil. If there is still moisture or dampness throughout the soil, you should wait longer before watering again. Drought tolerant plants prefer to have their soil dry out completely, or nearly completely, between each watering session. This allows their roots to breathe and gives them time to work through the hydration they store efficiently in their leaves, stems, and other structures.    

Other plants, like Ficus, need a bit more attention than a ZZ or succulent when it comes to watering. While they don’t need constant attention, they definitely need their water. Once a week tends to be enough to keep them happy. Just like more drought-tolerant plants, you don’t want to overwater them – so while 1x/week is a good routine to have, you can still judge your plants’ needs by taking a close look at its soil. Don’t be too strict on your schedule, some plants need more water during certain seasons and depending on their lighting conditions too!  

It’s also important to think about HOW you’re watering your plants. Certain plants prefer you water them from the top, either dampening all their soil or even misting their leaves. Others prefer you water them from the bottom, in a sense you soak them. To water from the base, partially fill your decorative pot with water and then place the plant and its grower pot back in. The plant will then absorb what it needs from the bottom. Do this for a few minutes and then separate the pots again, drain away any water that has not been absorbed by the plant and the soil! Letting a plant’s root system sit in water for extended periods of time is a recipe for root rot (for most indoor houseplants).  

We collect, filter, and treat rainwater to water all our plants, but we know that isn’t an option for everyone! So, let’s discuss some of the different types of water you can use to hydrate your plants: 

1. Tap water: While most tap water has some minerals in it, it also usually contains chemicals like chlorine that aren’t great for your plants. Leave tap water sitting out for 24 hours before using it to water your plants (if you’re able to!) Once that time has passed, some of those chemicals will have dissipated.  This is an easy way to improve the quality of tap water for your plants! 

2. Filtered water: If you already have access to filtered water, great! This kind of water is safer and easier for your plants to process than tap. If not, don’t install a filter just for your plants. Instead, just let tap water sit out like recommended above. 

3. Distilled water: This is the next step up in purity from filtered water and is a great option if you have the budget and time to spend on your plants! Distilled water contains almost zero additives and is great to use for the long-term health of your plants.  

4. Softened water: Avoid this option if at all possible. Softened water has sodium carbonate, which can trick plants into believing they have taken up more moisture than they have. Prolonged use of softened water tends to damage the entire root system of whatever houseplant is unfortunate enough to be watered with this option. Either by sodium buildup on the roots, or eventual dehydration.  

5. Bottled water: While this is a good option for the health of the plants, it isn’t cost-effective or eco-friendly. So, in a pinch, this works. However, we don’t recommend it as a long-term solution. 

6. Rainwater: This is by far the best option, but we know it isn’t the easiest! It’s clean, natural, and free! However, check with your city or county – not everyone is allowed to collect rainwater. 

Now that you’re an expert in knowing when and how to water your houseplants, follow us on social media for more tips and tricks for your plants!