Is It Actually Necessary to Use Distilled Water for Houseplants?

As a good plant parent, you obviously want what’s best for your potted prodigies. New plant care trends pop up frequently, and it can be difficult to decipher what growing methods are actually best for your houseplants.

One of the latest rumors circulating is that houseplants benefit more from distilled water as opposed to tap water, but some sources disagree. Proponents of distilled water believe it contains fewer impurities and prevents mineral deposits on houseplant soil and roots. However, watering plants with distilled water could rob them of the essential minerals found in tap water and may lead to nutrient deficiencies over time.

We figured this could use a little fact-checking, so we went straight to a pro for answers. Here, our floral expert offers some useful information to help settle the debate.

Is Distilled Water Better for Houseplants?

Schaffitzel says that distilled water isn’t necessarily better for houseplants, and the proposed benefits certainly don’t outweigh the cost. “If you have a lot of plants, you are going spend a lot of money on distilled water,” he says. “If you have a filtered water filter system, that’s probably the best system.”

If you do want to prevent mineral build-up in your plant without depriving it of nutrients, you could meet in the middle and alternate between distilled water and tap water.

Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more!

Distilled Water vs. Filtered Water for Houseplants

Filtered water is a better alternative to distilled water for houseplants. Depending on the filter type, it can remove certain contaminants like sediment, chlorine, and bacteria but leave the essential minerals so your plants can thrive.

One easy way to water your plants with filtered water is to use a water filter pitcher. Alternatively, you could fill up your watering can with water from a filtered source, such as your refrigerator water dispenser.

Which Plants May Benefit From Distilled Water?

Schaffitzel notes that swamp plants are one type that may benefit from distilled water because these plants may tend to hold onto the contaminants in tap water more than other types.

Additionally, carnivorous plants, like Venus fly traps, may be more sensitive to the minerals in tap water. These plants also get their nutrients from the insects they capture, so they don’t necessarily need the nutrients in tap water.

Additional Tips for Enhancing Plant Water

If you are concerned with the purity or quality of your tap water or if your houseplants are struggling in general, Schaffitzel recommends making other alterations instead of switching to distilled water.

• Let a batch of tap water sit out for a day before watering your plants with it. This will allow certain additives like fluoride to evaporate. 
• You can test the pH of your water and make adjustments with plant food as needed. High-pH water stunts plants just as much as low pH, Schaffitzel says.
• Consistently watering your plant with water with an imbalanced pH can have negative effects on your houseplants over time. If you notice that your plant seems to grow at an extra slow pace or that its leaves have discoloration, you can test the pH of the soil to determine if it’s the root cause. There are several types of at-home testing kits available.

Lastly, Schaffitzel says not to overlook the power of rainwater. “More than anything, rainwater is probably the best for plants,” he says. “It’s wild what it can do. Just look around outside next time it rains.”

If you want your houseplants to reap the benefits of rainwater, you can place them on an outdoor balcony, porch, or in your yard during a light shower. Or, collect rainwater in a large bucket and transfer it to your indoor watering can.