Best Water for Houseplants: Rain, Distilled, or Tap?

Best Water for Houseplants: Rain, Distilled, or Tap?

Rainwater and distilled water are ideal but often impractical. Hard or alkaline tap water raises soil pH, blocking nutrients. Water softeners add salts harmful to plants. Chlorine dissipates if water sits overnight; fluoride does not. Some sensitive plants (dracaenas, spider plants) show tip burn from high chlorine. No universal answer—know your water source and plant sensitivities.