The Effect of Distilled Water on Cat Grass

House Plants

• Sources of tap water are chlorinated/fluoridated municipal supplies or well water, which are often hard and contain minerals harmful to plants. Even if the hard water is processed by a water softener, it contains high levels of salts, which impede plant growth and can even kill plants. Tap water is fine for watering outdoor plants, where rain washes away the concentrated minerals from the soil, but the closed environment of indoor plants will cause an extra-concentrated buildup of minerals in their soil. Using distilled water for indoor plants avoids this buildup of minerals and allows the cat grass to flourish.

Feline Appeal

• Without a healthy source of greens such as cat grass, cats may attempt to nibble at your other houseplants. At best, your other plants can be destroyed, but at worst your cat could consume a plant that is toxic or even fatal. Keeping a source of cat grass available for your pet helps avoid these problems. The healthier the cat grass is, the more appealing it will be to your feline. Using distilled water to water the cat grass helps make sure it will appear appetizing to your cat.

Sources

• Distilled water can be purchased in gallon jugs at any grocery store. Home distillers in a 5-qt. countertop size and larger 10-gallon sizes can be purchased for between about $250 and $1200, at the time of publication. If you use a dehumidifier, the water that collects in its bucket chamber is also a good source of distilled water. If it's not acidic, you can put tap water or collect rain water in a bucket, and then leave it outside for two days to allow chlorine and other minerals to evaporate. Any of these sources are ideal for watering your cat grass.

Optimal Watering

• Room-temperature water is best for watering your cat grass. Watering at extreme temperatures can shock your plant's roots, damaging or even killing it. If the water is hot or cold from sitting outside or being in a water cooler or the refrigerator, let it sit inside the house until it reaches room temperature before watering the cat grass.