Can I Water Plants Using Sparkling Water?

Water is essential for plant growth, but have you ever wondered whether your plants get tired of the same tap water? If you have a variety of potted plants in your home, odds are you already have a consistent watering routine. Still, you may have seen other plant parents try out different types of water for their potted plants. It can be beneficial to water your garden with club soda, but what about using sparkling water for potted plants? When it comes to your plants, they'll likely absorb sparkling water the same as they would plain tap water.

Scientists, students, and plant-lovers alike have tested out different forms of carbonated water to see how it impacts plants. While club soda, mineral water, and sparkling water are very similar, they have an important distinction. Unlike club soda or mineral water, which contain different minerals like calcium and potassium, respectively, sparkling water is just plain water that gets its bubbly nature from infused carbon dioxide. 

However, plants can react differently to the carbonation in sparkling water. Undergraduate students at Oklahoma State University ran an experiment watering plants with carbonated water. They found the plants showed increased biomass and some increased growth in grass and radish samples. The researchers also suggested carbonation could lower pH levels, which could affect plants differently depending on the species and carbonation level.

If you want to try watering your plants using sparkling water, remember that different carbonated beverages have different ingredients. Plain sparkling water may affect plants differently than sugary sodas or flavored carbonated drinks, which can negatively impact growth. Additionally, many brands of sparkling water are flavored using added ingredients intended for human consumption rather than plants.

It's fine to occasionally use sparkling water for your plants, but remember that it shouldn't be used as a substitute for other standard forms of plant-care like using plain water. For example, there are pros and cons to a viral online DIY club soda fertilizer, and sparkling water doesn't replace fertilizer. You should also still remember to give your plants the right amount of sunlight and replace the soil in potted planters while remembering that sparkling water costs more than regular tap water.