Is It Good to Water the Plants With Rainwater

Typically, indoor houseplants always slightly struggle in an indoor environment, no matter how much time and effort you put into creating the best climate for them.

Well, rainwater could help those struggling houseplants blossom. If you live in a rainy area, it might be time to stop using tap water for watering your indoor houseplants and switch to rainwater.

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about watering houseplants with rain – how to collect rainwater properly and what the benefits are, so let’s begin.

Advantages of Using Rainwater

rainwater benefits for your plants

Harmless, without Toxins

Tap water usually contains some chemicals. Chlorine is one that has to be added since it is a disinfectant.

Another chemical element you will find in your tap water is fluoride, which should prevent the development of cavities.

Both of these can be quite harmful to some species of plants.

Spider plants and fruit trees are the most susceptible ones. No matter how much you water these plants with tap water, they will still develop burns or yellow spots on their leaves.

Other chemicals that are destroying your garden are calcium, magnesium, and sodium – the first two are the cause of “hard water”, while the third one is added to soften it.

All of these minerals are the cause of white sediment that builds upon the leaves. Also, they can cause irreparable damage to the plant’s tissue.

For plants growing in their natural habitats, rainwater is almost the only source of irrigation.

One of the biggest advantages of rainwater is that it is entirely free of these toxic minerals.

Around 78% of rainwater is nitrogen (or some nitrogen compounds such as nitrogen oxide), which makes the plants look greener and overall healthier.

Other elements and compounds that rainwater has are oxygen and carbon dioxide. Because of the high percentage of oxygen in rainwater, even if you overwater the soil, roots won’t rot.

There is no waterlogging when you are using rainwater. Carbon dioxide will promote the delivery of macronutrients.

Helps with the Elimination of Accumulated Salts

You are probably familiar with flushing the soil – the process is quite time-consuming, so not many gardeners are happy to do it. However, it needs to be done to have healthy garden soil. If you are using rainwater, you can speed up the process a bit.

Rainwater eliminates those accumulated salts way easier than tap water, and once you are done, you will notice a rapid growth of your houseplants.

rainwater benefits for the plants

Eco-friendly

If you switch to rainwater, you won’t be using the drinking supplies of water, and your water bill next month will be significantly lower.

You can spend a few extra bucks on something you’ve been wanting for some time, and your local lakes and rivers will maintain their water level.

Improves Soil Structure

loamy, mineral rich clay soil @hanzellvineyards loamy, mineral rich clay soil @hanzellvineyards

Rainwater enhances soil structure by loosening compacted soil, improving aeration for roots, and facilitating nutrient absorption. It binds soil particles, promoting aggregation for improved water infiltration and drainage.

This fosters healthy root growth, nutrient uptake, and overall plant vitality.

Simple to Collect

Using rainwater for irrigation might seem like too much hassle at first.

rainwater and rainwater benefits for your houseplants

However, many of these irrigation systems are super easy DIY projects, so it isn’t too much of a hassle to collect rainwater and deliver it to the plants.

How to Collect Rainwater

There are a few different ways you can collect rainwater and later use it for irrigation.

Here are some ideas:

1. Buckets

a rainwater bucket

As soon as you see a few raindrops, bring out as many buckets, trashcans, or containers as you can.

If it is pouring, they will quickly get filled up. Once the rain stops, bring the buckets inside.

The rainwater should be left until it gets to room temperature, and then used for watering. You can either pour it into the water bottles or use it straight from the buckets.

2. Use the Gutters

rainwater collection through gutters

So, instead of just wasting water that is pouring from the gutters, use it to water your garden.

In this case, all you have to do is change the orientation of gutters so the water can reach planting beds.

Yes, it is simple as that! Of course, this is in case you have an outdoor garden. You don’t want all that water in your house! 🙂

3. More Complex Systems

What about the dry periods? Do you have to switch to tap water? No, but you will have to build a little bit more complex system for collecting and storing rainwater.

rainwater collection tank

The gutters will lead the rainwater to the water tank or cistern. All of the water will be stored in the tank, and when you need it, you can easily get it. When it comes to the delivery mechanism, it doesn’t have to be super complicated, but building it will still take some time.

Some gardeners even add electric pumps, so the automatic mechanism is delivering the water and making sure their garden gets enough of it.

Rain Water vs Tap Water for Plants

rainwater benefits for your plants

Rainwater is often considered a superior choice for watering plants compared to tap water. Unlike tap water, which may contain chlorine and other chemicals, rainwater is pure and free from additives.

It is also naturally soft, making it an ideal choice for plants that prefer lower pH levels.

Rainwater is rich in nitrogen and other essential nutrients, which can enhance plant growth. Additionally, rainwater is at an ideal temperature for plants, reducing stress and shock.

Overall, using rainwater can promote healthier, more vibrant plants without the risk of harmful chemicals present in tap water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plants tend to grow better with rainwater for several reasons. Rainwater is free from the chemicals often found in tap water, such as chlorine and fluoride. These chemicals can be harmful to plants in excessive amounts.

Rainwater has a more balanced pH level, which is beneficial for plants that prefer slightly acidic or neutral conditions. Rainwater also contains natural nutrients, such as nitrogen, which are essential for plant growth.

Moreover, rainwater is typically at a suitable temperature for plants, reducing stress and promoting optimal growth. Overall, the purity, pH balance, nutrient content, and temperature of rainwater contribute to its effectiveness in promoting healthier and more robust plant growth.

Yes, plants often grow faster with rainwater. Rainwater is pure, free from chemicals, and has a balanced pH. It contains natural nutrients that promote plant growth, while its optimal temperature reduces stress, resulting in healthier and faster-growing plants.

While rainwater and distilled water both lack impurities, rainwater is often considered better for plants. It contains natural nutrients, has an ideal pH balance, and provides additional benefits like temperature regulation, making it a superior choice for plant growth compared to distilled water.

Although distilled water does not have contaminants such as chlorine and fluoride, it doesn’t have any minerals as well.

Yes. Rainwater lacks harmful chemicals, has a balanced pH, and contains natural nutrients.

Yes, it is possible to overwater plants with rainwater. While rainwater is beneficial for plants, excessive water can lead to waterlogged soil and root rot. It is important to monitor the moisture levels and drainage of the soil, ensuring that plants receive adequate but not excessive amounts of water.

Yes, too much rainwater can be detrimental to plants. Excessive rain can lead to waterlogged soil, which deprives plant roots of oxygen and causes root rot. It can also leach away essential nutrients from the soil. Proper drainage and monitoring of moisture levels are crucial to prevent the negative effects of excessive rainwater on plant health.

Plantly Menu