When it comes to caring for plants, one crucial factor to consider is the quality of the water used. As homeowners, many of us rely on water softeners to ensure that our tap water is free from harsh minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. However, when it comes to using softened water for watering plants, the question arises “can you water house plants with water softener water?”
In this article, we will explore whether softened water is safe for your plants, the potential risks it may pose, and alternative solutions for plant watering.
What Is Softened Water?
Softened water is created by removing hard minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, and in some cases iron. This process typically involves passing water through a resin filter or known as a salt-based ion exchange system. In doing so, calcium and magnesium ions are replaced with sodium ions, resulting in water that is “softer” and less likely to cause mineral buildup in pipes and appliances.
Soft water is great for household use in that it enhances the lifespan and efficiency of appliances and water heaters, reduces hard water stains, makes cleaning easier with less soap, and makes skin and hair softer and cleaner. However, when talking about plants, it becomes and entirely different subject.
How Does Softened Water Affect Plants?
While softened water may seem like a harmless option for watering plants, it can have unintended consequences due to the amounts of salt in the water. Plants generally absorb water through their roots, and sodium, when present in excess, can have detrimental effects on plant health. Here’s why:
Sodium Toxicity: Excessive sodium in the soil can interfere with the plant’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, leading to nutrient imbalances.
Soil Salinity: Over time, the sodium from softened water can accumulate in the soil, raising its salinity levels. High salinity can lead to poor plantgrowth, as it makes it difficult for plants to take up water. This can result in yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and, in extreme cases, plant death.
Damage to Sensitive Plants: While some plants may tolerate small amounts of sodium, some species are more vulnerable to the negative effects of softened water. For these plants, even occasional watering with sodium-laden water can lead to stress and long-term health problems.
Is Softened Water Safe for plants in any situations?
First off, potted and/or indoor plants are the most likely to suffer negativity from softened water. Here’s why. Outdoor plants growing in flowerbeds will have some portions of the sodium from softened water leach away from excess rainwater percolating down through the soil. This is especially true in areas that receive moderate to large amounts of rainfall.
However, potted plants (and outdoor plants in semiarid climates where rainfall is limited) will sooner suffer from sodium buildup in the soil, and therefore sodium toxicity, because it is the only source of hydration, and there is nothing to drain away the excess sodium.
Another factor that will determine the safety factor is the level of sodium in the water. Since water softeners introduce sodium into the treated water based on the ion exchange principle on which they function, you can estimate the amount of sodium after your softener based on how high your hardness levels are going into the softener. (This is, obviously, figuring that the softener is working correctly.)
A water softener adds around 8 milligrams per liter (mg/l) per grain of hardness removed. Therefore, after softening typically hard water levels of 7 or 8 grains of hardness, the amount of sodium in the water will not be super significant, about 50-60 mg/l. However, if your incoming water is extremely hard at 20 to 25 grains, the levels of sodium in your softened water are now tripled. Obviously the higher the sodium levels, the higher the risk of harming your plants.
Alternatives to Using Softened Water for Plants
At Aquanology, we don’t usually recommend using softened water for irrigation and watering of plants for yet another reason, and this is simply because it is unnecessary and wasteful. If plants function best without the sodium, what are some other options?
1. Use a Rain Barrel:
Collecting rainwater is a great option for watering plants. Rainwater is naturally soft and free from the high sodium content that can affect your plants. Installing a rain barrel to capture runoff from your roof can provide an eco-friendly and cost-effective watering solution.
2. Use filtered water:
Reverse osmosis purified water works well for your plants. Many homes already have one of these systems for drinking water, and plants will love it too, because sodium and other minerals are removed/ greatly reduced. Some even tout it above hard water for plants because it is closest to natural rainwater and can pose benefits because of its pH and possible better performance when mixed with fertilizers and foliar feeds. However, reverse osmosis systems usually create a limited amount of filtered water, and therefore are not ideal for providing large amounts of filtered water for outdoor plants or lawns.
3. Use Hard Water straight from the supply:
If your area has hard water, it may actually be better for your plants than softened water, which obviously depends on various mineral factors, since natural well or tap water varies widely. Hard water contains beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are essential for plant health. Just be mindful of any potential mineral buildup in your soil or on your plants’ leaves over time.
4. Use a salt-free conditioning system:
An alternative to conventional water softeners are salt-free conditioners, which do not introduce sodium. However, please be aware that salt-free conditioners do not have all the household benefits of conventional salt-based softeners. For a more detailed rundown of the difference between the two setups, please consult our blog on salt-free vs. salt-based water systems.
5. Install a hard water bypass (similar to point three):
At Aquanology, if someone has lots of plants to water or lawn to irrigate, we often install a dedicated hard water bypass line to outside faucets when we are installing a water softener. This reduces the amount of wasted salt and water, and keeps the plants growing nicely, as long as the raw water quality is fine. In some cases, if installing a dedicated by-pass line isn’t possible, most of our softeners come standard with built-in bypass valves, which can allow a homeowner to temporarily bypass the water softener while irrigating.
Conclusion
We hope this information has answered the question “can you water house plants with water softener water?” While softened water can be beneficial for household use, it’s not always the best choice for your plants. The sodium content in softened water can negatively impact plant growth by disrupting nutrient absorption and raising soil salinity. If you want to keep your plants thriving, consider using alternatives such as rainwater, reverse osmosis filtered water, or hard water. By taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure your plants stay healthy and vibrant without the risks posed by softened water
At Aquanology, we desire to streamline the process of bringing water filtration and purification to you. In three easy steps with a commitment to no pressure sales, we endeavor to treat each customer the way we would want to be treated. Contact us anytime for a friendly chat about your water and how to improve it.
Contact Us
Call/email for a friendly chat about the water quality challenge you are dealing with. At your request, a technician from Aquanology will visit your home for a free water test and consultation. (In some cases, more advanced laboratory testing may be recommended as well.)
Count On Our Expertise
We will assist you in determining needed changes to your existing water treatment setup, based on your budget and water quality expectations. Or, if necessary, we can remove the existing system and install a new system designed to serve you for years.
Count On Our Reliable Service
We can set you up with our affordable service plan or provide training for you to do your own service and maintenance, to keep your water conditioning system working in top condition. Don’t forget our “just-a-phone-call-away” service and support for emergencies that may arise.