Ahhhh, plant care. We all know our plants need to drink, right? But did you know that the KIND of water we use to hydrate our indoor plants matters? While tap water does an ok job, our plant babies thrive with water that falls from the sky, here’s why!
It’s no secret that our plants always look the lushest after being outside in the rain (surely I’m not the only crazy plant mum taking my plants outside during a downpour?). They glow with good health and vividness after a rainwater sprinkle.
Obviously waiting for the rain to give your plants a drink isn’t ideal – especially as we head into a hot and dry summer. We The Wild share why you should make the switch from filling your watering can at the sink, to filling it at the rainwater tank for the best results and maximum leafy green growth.
Plant care 101: Why rainwater is the best drink for your plants
1. Rainwater acts like a detox for your plant soil
We don’t think about it, but depending on where you live in Australia, tap water can contain traces of salts, aluminium, ammonia, antimony, chlorine and more. All of which can build up in your plant soil, hindering growth. Giving your plants a flush with rainwater can helps remove toxic build up in the soil. Ahhhhh, detox!
2. Breathe life into your indoor plants with rainwater
Literally, it does just that. Rainwater gives your plants the kiss of life as the water itself carries more oxygen than tap water, preventing root rot and smelly pot soil.
3. Rainwater is Mother Nature’s dust buster
If like me, you can be a little lazy on the leaf dusting front, a light rain sprinkle can help rinse leaves free of dusty build-up, helping with the photosynthesis (and making those leaves nice and shiny again).
4. Rainwater helps feed your indoor plants the good stuff
The soil your indoor plants are growing in contains micronutrients such as zinc manganese, copper and iron. If you add rainwater, the purest of all liquids helps turn these micronutrients into a form of minerals plants can actually use, which helps your green babies grow!
5. It makes leaves green with happiness
It isn’t always easy being green if you’re an inside plant. You’ll be amazed by just how vividly green your plant leaves will turn if you treat them to a regular drink of rainwater. Fresh rainwater is naturally high in nitrogen, the very key for making those green leaves sing. A green plant is a happy plant!
Rainwater: tips for giving your plants the best drink!
- Wait for a light shower of rain – a sun shower is perfect, and pop your houseplants out in it for a little while.
- Avoid torrential rain, wind and storms. Heavy rain and wind will likely damage your plants or at the very least, stress them out. You want to treat them, not terrify them!
- Don’t forget about your plants. While your houseplants will LOVE a rainwater drink, if you forget about them, they could become sunburnt in wide-open, sunny places. It’s a fine line!
- Once wet, allow your plants to dry off in a safe place outside with good airflow where the water can drain freely from the pots. No one likes wet feet, after all.
- Finally, you don’t have to wait for the rain to treat your plants to a rainwater drink. You absolutely can fill up a watering can from your home rainwater tank to give them a drink direct.
Do you have any watering or plant care tips you’d like to share with fellow plant mums among us? Drop them below, you might just be helping someone out!
