We all love keeping green plants in our gardens to create a natural, peaceful environment that completely balances the beauty of our surroundings. Whether it’s a lush and bushy collection of houseplants or a vibrant outdoor garden, plants add life and color to any space. But maintaining a thriving garden requires much more than just sunlight and soil. One of the major factors in plant health is the water you use. The type of water you use can significantly impact the growth of the plant. But with several options that are available, Reverse Osmosis water and distilled water are two common options for plant care, as both of which remove impurities but in different ways. But the question is: which one is better for your plants?
In this blog, we will explore which water suits the best for plants, and how RO water for plants and distilled water can affect the plant.
Understanding RO Water and Distilled Water
1. Reverse Osmosis or RO Water
Reverse osmosis or RO water is a process where water is passed through a semipermeable membrane, which effectively removes contaminants, salts, and minerals, leaving behind pure water. Moreover, the result is safe, clean water which is almost dimineralised water. But it is imperative to note that RO water typically contains very little amount of essential minerals like magnesium and calcium, which are important for both human consumption and plant growth.
2. Distilled Water
When it comes to distilled water, it is made by boiling water and collecting the steam that rises and then condensing back into liquid form. This distillation process completely removes minerals, bacteria, and other impurities, hence leaving behind purified water. Like RO water, distilled water is completely free from minerals, but the method of purification is completely different. Also, distilled water can contain some amount of chemicals that may not have been removed during the process.
How Do RO Water and Distilled Water Affect Plants?
1. Mineral Content
Most of the plants require a certain amount of minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium for optimal growth. These minerals are usually present in natural tap water, but both RO and distilled water essentially lack all these nutrients. When it comes to RO water for plants, it may remove all the beneficial minerals, which may hinder the plant’s ability to survive in the long term.
On the other hand, when it comes to distilled water, it may have slightly different characteristics in terms of pH. Since distilled water is important and it is free from all the dissolved substances, it might cause a more dramatic pH imbalance in soil over time, hence impacting the health of the soil and the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients as well.
2. pH Levels
Another parameter that impacts the health of the plant is water pH. So, most plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH range. Distilled water often has a pH closer to around 7, but because it lacks buffering minerals, the pH may completely shift more easily than with other types of water. When it comes to RO water, it is typically more acidic, with a pH ranging from 5 to 7, depending on how the water is filtered. While some plants may prefer slightly acidic water, others may struggle with these fluctuations, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
3. TDS or Total Dissolved Solids
Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS, refer to the amount of dissolved minerals and salts in water. RO water typically has very little TDS, which is good for removing all the harmful salts, but this can be very problematic for plants, as they completely rely on certain minerals for nutrition. When it comes to distilled water, it has very little TDS, which means that essential nutrients like magnesium and calcium are missing.
Plants that are grown with only RO or distilled water over an extended period may start showing early signs of mineral deficiency, like yellowing leaves or stunted growth. So, to compensate for this, some of the gardeners add mineral supplements or specific plant fertilisers to their water.
Which Water Is Better for Plants?
While both distilled water and RO water for plants completely lack essential minerals, RO water is generally considered better for plants than distilled water due to its slightly acidic pH and the ability to filter out all the harmful contaminants, which include heavy metals and chlorine. For plants that can thrive in slightly acidic conditions, RO water can be a viable option.
When it comes to distilled water, while it is pure, it lacks all the buffering capacity of RO water, and it may cause more pH imbalance in the soil. Also, it doesn’t offer any of the slight acidity that could benefit some plants. Additionally, distilled water is best used in some situations where you want to remove contaminants, such as seed propagation or hydroponic systems, but even some regular supplementation with minerals is still recommended.
Why Choose DrinkPrime for Plants
When it comes to improving the quality of water, DrinkPrime is an ideal choice, and it is designed to provide better drinking water by removing all the contaminants and adding beneficial minerals back into the water. Moreover, it uses advanced filtration technologies, which include mineralisation to create a water that’s not only safe for consumption but also enriched with the right amount of minerals. For plants, DrinkPrime could be an interesting option. Unlike RO or distilled water, DrinkPrime’s water completely retains all the important minerals like magnesium and calcium, which are very important for plant growth.
Summary
In summary, choosing the right type of water for your plant is important for maintaining a healthy and thriving garden. While both distilled water and Reverse Osmosis are purified and free from all the harmful chemicals, but they also lack the essential minerals that plants need to grow strong and vibrant. RO water, with slightly pH and effective filtration process, is generally an ideal choice for plant care when compared to distilled water, which can cause greater pH imbalance and lacks any buffering capacity. Also, the best solution lies in balancing the using purified water that is free from all the harmful substances but still retains or is supplemented with essential minerals. This is where DrinkPrime comes in. DrinkPrime offers a water that completely supports both plant health and overall garden vitality.
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