Do Plants Grow Faster in Fresh Water or Sugar Water?

Identification

• Gardening enthusiasts sometimes add items such as sugar, salt and even aspirin to the fresh water used to hydrate their plants. However, care must be taken when considering these actions, since often they ultimately result in the death of the plant.

Features

• According to Mark Longstroth, Southwest Michigan District Horticultural & Marketing Agent, water is absorbed by the roots of a plant. However, it must first enter the plant's cells in order for this to take place. This absorption of water is made possible by the salt and sugar contained in the cells of the plant.

Misconceptions

• Some gardening enthusiasts are under the impression that sugar water is beneficial for plants, however, plants' cells already contain sugar which is created during photosynthesis. Photosynthesis refers to the way in which a plant uses light and carbon dioxide, along with water, to create its source of food. Plants make all necessary sugar required through this process and attempting to nourish them with water containing even more sugar will be harmful to their health.