What Liquids Can Plants Grow In?

Carbonated Water

• Carbonated water is created by adding carbon dioxide to pure, distilled water. The addition of carbon dioxide to this water also adds other nutrients such as phosphorus, sulfur and oxygen. These nutrients are beneficial to plants, helping them to develop stronger cells, more foliage and more abundant harvests. However, applying too much carbonated water to your plants could actually result in over-fertilization and the death of your plants. The best way to apply this as a fertilizer is to use it only once weekly.

Liquid Fertilizers

• A liquid fertilizer dissolved into your plant's water replaces nutrients regularly lost in your soil. Replacing these nutrients provides your plants with ample access to the nourishment they need to complete vital life processes such as photosynthesis. Liquid fertilizers are available in organic and non-organic options with varying instructions for application. As with carbonated water, there is the chance of over-fertilization if liquid fertilizer is applied too frequently, so always read labels carefully and follow application instructions exactly.

Sweetened Water

• Sugar water is actually very bad for plants. Plants are designed to absorb pure water through their roots as quickly as possible. Impurities are absorbed more slowly. Plants consider sugar an impurity so they absorb sugar water very slowly and could die of dehydration from lack of water intake. Sweetened water can be helpful, though. Molasses provides plants with a boost of nutrients such as sulfur, potash and iron. Dissolved in water and applied weekly, molasses boosts plant growth, color and harvest.

Water

• Water is the number one liquid plants crave for healthy growth. Water keeps plants hydrated and strong. Even plain tap water contains trace nutrients that boost plant growth and development. However, an even better water option for plants is distilled water. Distilled water is extra purified to remove substances such as salt, chlorine and fluoride that can potentially harm and damage plants. Plants process pure, distilled water more easily, meaning they access the water more quickly.

Nutrient Solution

• Some plants are grown hydroponically, meaning these plants grow in a nutrient-rich solution rather than soil. Like liquid fertilizer, nutrient solution is added to water and diluted before being applied to plant roots. Unlike liquid fertilizer, the plant roots grow directly in the solution or in polymers containing the solution rather than having the solution poured over the soil surrounding their roots. These solutions contain a fully balanced "diet" for your plants. Nutrient solution is often replenish in a hydroponic system every 2 to 4 weeks to prevent over-fertilization.