Is Filtered Water Better for Your Houseplants? Here’s What Pros Say

Being a plant parent isn’t always easy. You have a lot of decisions to make: what kind of pot to use, where to place your plant so it gets sufficient sunlight, and what type of soil to buy. But what about what kind of water to use?

If you aren’t sure how to keep your plant baby in optimal health, it turns out that the type of water you use influences whether or not your plant thrives. So should you use tap or filtered water? Here’s what the pros have to say.

Tap Water Can Prevent Your Plant From Thriving

Sure, it’s fast and easy to fill a pitcher with tap water and just water your plants—but this may not be the best way to help your plant thrive in the long term. It turns out the chlorine and chloramine in tap water can disrupt soil microbiology, which is especially important for organic and living soils, according to professional gardener Chad Massura. But this isn’t the only reason he thinks it’s best to avoid watering your plant with tap water.

“Fluoride toxicity can lead to tip burn and leaf discoloration in sensitive plants,” he explains. “Hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium can create salt buildup in the soil, making it harder for roots to absorb nutrients. Plus, high pH levels can affect nutrient availability, especially in acid-loving plants like orchids and blueberries.”

But, Tap Water Should Be Fine for Most Plants

Still, if you’ve been using tap water and your plant has been thriving, there probably isn’t a good reason to switch—unless the quality of your drinking water suddenly becomes suboptimal or unsafe. “Most plants can do fine with tap water,” says landscape designer Sara Bendrick. “But keep in mind that water quality in different districts will vary.”

Tap water may even be a better choice for plants that prefer alkaline conditions, including many types of succulents and cacti. Those plants can even tolerate harder tap water. “Some tap water contains beneficial minerals that plants can use, like calcium and magnesium,” Massura says. “If your tap water is on the softer side and doesn’t contain high levels of chlorine, it may be fine for most plants.”

Still, Filtered Water Has Its Advantages

However, if you have a choice and easy access to filtered water—such as with a pitcher or a built-in filter attached to your tap or fridge—your plant baby is probably better off with filtered water, especially for indoor plants, Massura explains.

“Filtered water removes the chlorine, fluoride, and salts that can harm the beneficial bacteria balance of the soil that is helpful to your plants,” he says. “Outside, the chlorine usually binds with soil or gets washed down, but in a pot, it can build up, causing some issues.”

Final Verdict: Should You Water Your Plants With Tap or Filtered Water?

The problem with tap water is that, over time, the buildup of chlorine and fluoride can have a negative impact on some of your plants. “So filtered water is preferred for houseplants that have limited soil resources—if you can swing it,” Massura says.