Can Soda Be Used to Water Plants?
Keeping plants watered according to their needs is an essential part of growing them. Gardeners can use bottled water, tap water and even soda to water plants. If you want to use soda, the key is to choose the right type, which is essential to helping plants instead of harming them.
Choosing One
Club soda contains minerals that boost plants' growth and overall health. Soda pop such as cola, however, is acidic. Also, soda pop contains ingredients such as chemical coloring that may have a negative effect on plants.
Watering with It
In order to maximize club soda's potential benefits for plants, use it once weekly instead of water for your plants. It can be used on outdoor and indoor plants. Water the plants' soil with club soda as you would normally with water, focusing on the plants' root zones and avoiding wetting their foliage. Wet foliage can encourage fungal infections and spread plant diseases.
- Keeping plants watered according to their needs is an essential part of growing them.
- In order to maximize club soda's potential benefits for plants, use it once weekly instead of water for your plants.
Soda Or Water Make Plants Grow Faster?
As well as water, it is sometimes beneficial to give plants other fluids. One of these is soda water. Some soda water may include substances that are valuable for plant growth. These can include potassium, carbon, phosphorous, sulfur, oxygen, hydrogen and sodium. In experiments at the University of Colorado, some plants given soda water grew faster than those given ordinary tap water. Alkali-loving plants include cucumbers, clematis and lilacs. Talk to an experienced gardener or other expert before experimenting.
- As well as water, it is sometimes beneficial to give plants other fluids.
References
- Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things; Reader's Digest
- North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Kids' World -- Plant Nutrients
- Science Buddies: Acids, Bases and the pH Scale
- University of Colorado: The Effect of Carbonated Water on Green Plants
- Carbonated Seltzer Water: How Carbonated Water Affects Plant Growth
- Carbonated Seltzer Water: Why Do Carbonated Beverages Burn the Stomach?
Writer Bio
Caryn Anderson combines extensive behind-the-scenes writing experience with her passion for all things food, fashion, garden and travel. Bitten by the travel bug at the age of 15 after a trip to Europe, Anderson fostered her love of style and fashion while living in New York City and earning her degree at New York University.