Everyone has heard of hard water at some point in their life, so we are all too familiar with how annoying it can be. From pesky deposits on sinks and dishes to potential problems it can cause our water-using appliances like washing machines. Hard water is especially prominent in private well water sources.
But there is one aspect that we could be overlooking altogether. Our gardens and houseplants need water too, so how does hard water affect them? Advice about hard water as it relates to plants can be confusing at times, so a healthy grain of salt is needed in this research.
What is hard water?
Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, especially magnesium and calcium. These two minerals combine and produce limescale that deposits itself on surfaces. After a while, it builds up posing severe problems with cleaning and can even clog devices.
Is hard water harmful to plants?
The minerals in hard water are a hassle for household use, but calcium and magnesium can be good for certain plants. Hard water has a higher level of pH which makes the water alkaline. But plants like daffodils and hydrangeas like acidic water and thus hard water does not work very well for them.
Whether or not hard water will be great for your plants will depend both on what plants you have and on the precise mineral concentration in your water. Hard water that contains a high concentration of minerals could lead to the build-up of salt in the soil.
To salt the earth is an expression we all know, and it doesn’t help vegetation. Too much salt will prevent plants from properly absorbing enough water. This will manifest in yellow leaves, dry brown edges or wilting, and even slower growth.
Not all these symptoms can be blamed on hard water, as brown edges on leaves also come about due to overwatering, dry air, or underwatering. All these issues that can arrive are the reason why it’s so hard to pinpoint if hard water is specifically to blame. Anything can have an effect on your plants, so monitoring them can be the only way to figure out what can go wrong.
Hard water and plant care solutions
Whether you have a municipal water source or a private well water source, chances are there will be some amount of hardness to it. In both cases, it’s not something that will go away on its own, and changing water sources is also not on the table. There is little control in this matter, but your garden need not suffer.
One of the best ways to tackle hard water, for consumption and for your plants, is to use water softeners. Wells, in particular, need some form of water softening, and best-osmosis-systems.com have some of the best solutions.
There is also the option of collecting rainwater in water buts, and then using it to water your garden and houseplants. Evaporation has cleaned away the mineral content, so rainwater is quite pure and free of hardness. It may not be the perfect answer, because rainwater is dependent on weather, but it’s an easy solution to try out.
Other solutions for hard water
If rainwater is not available, and you can’t use a water softener, there are a few other options.
- Let the water sit for a while before using it on your plants, this will ensure most minerals will settle. Don’t use all this water, however, and let an inch or so at the bottom, and pour it down the drain.
- To deal with alkaline water mix in some vinegar with the water once a month. This will balance out the pH levels in the soil.
- Also, if you know you have alkaline water, choose plants that do well with it, when you buy new ones.
- It’s important to repot plants every six months so that the soil itself gets a refresher.
- Don’t overfertilize your plants, and instead opt for acidic plant food that contains iron.
- Make sure to check what pH level each plant prefers, as it will help a lot in motoring and providing what they need.
Final thoughts
As confusing as it is to tackle hard water for your garden and plants, it’s not the end of the world. Among the most utilized solutions is the installation of a water softener.
A lot of households prefer water softeners because water is then softened for consumption as well as for plants. It’s a win-win for multiple reasons and it’s a long-term solution.