The Effects of Soft Water on Plants

Water softeners remove minerals from your water and make it healthier for you, but they do contain high levels of sodium. Too much sodium can be harmful to plants so it is best to avoid it if possible.

Considerations

Depending on how hard your water is to begin with, your sodium levels may vary. The harder your water before softening, the more sodium will be in your softened water.

Identification

If sodium from softened water builds up in your soil it will damage the roots. Sodium damage can be identified by brown edges on the tips of plant leaves.

Prevention

If you have no alternative and must water houseplants with softened water, water the plant until water runs out the bottom of the pot. This will flush out almost as much sodium as you are adding.

Solution

Rather than using softened water, try deionized or distilled water, or rain water if you can get it.

Additional Considerations

Soft water is also bad for lawns and outside plants. It can inhibit growth or even kill your grass and landscape plants.

References

• Water Quality Association
• Soft Water for Houseplants