Will Distilled Water or Softened Water Make a Plant Grow Taller?

Distilled Water Is Inert

• The process of distilling water removes minerals and sediments. Distilled water is inert and does not provide nutrients to the plant. It does not harm plants to give them distilled water. If you are growing in fertile, nutrient-rich soil, additional fertilizer may not be required. However, when you use distilled water to grow plants hydroponically, you must mix additional measured amounts of nutrients with the distilled water to promote healthy plant growth.

Distilled Water and Fertilizers

• Gardeners apply fertilizer to promote plant growth. Plants respond to fertilizers in different ways. A fertilizer that is ideal for garden plants may be too strong for house plants. If you have applied fertilizer to your plants and they have signs of fertilizer "burn" (brown margins on foliage, wilting or falling leaves), flush the soil with distilled water. Repeated watering with distilled water will help remove fertilizer residue and promote plant growth.

Distilled Water vs. Tap Water

• Chemicals in municipal water systems, including fluoride and chlorine, may cause injury to houseplants. Damage may show as browning or yellowing of the tips and margins. Spider plants, ferns and palms are susceptible to this type of damage. Filling water jugs and allowing the water to sit for a day or two, uncovered, will allow harmful chemicals to evaporate. Avoid subjecting your plants to any amount of fluoride or chlorine by using distilled water only.

Water Softners

• Water quality may be affected if a water softener is used in the home. Water softeners employ sodium salts to soften the water. Salts can accumulate in potting soil and damage plants, hindering growth. Gardeners should collect water from outdoor water taps that are not connected to the softening unit. If salts have built up in your plant containers, flush with untreated tap water, distilled water or collected rainwater.