Do Plants Grow Better With Boiling Water?

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Boiling water can both help and hurt a plant, depending on how it is used.

Some gardeners believe that boiling water is beneficial to plants that are particularly sensitive to water impurities. While there is no proof to this claim, boiling water has been proven to kill unwanted plants when used correctly.

Advertisement

Uses

Video of the Day

Water that is still boiling or extremely hot from being boiled will kill any plant it touches by scalding it. This makes boiling water an ideal organic weed killer, but not an ideal water source for keeping plants alive.

Video of the Day

Misconceptions

An urban legend spread across the Internet claims that boiled water, even after it has cooled, is destructive to plants. Snopes, an online archive that debunks or confirms urban legends, found this not to be true. In a study done by Snopes researchers, there was no difference in plant growth or health between plants that were given boiled water and plants that were given regular water.

Advertisement

Benefits

Some gardeners boil water if they believe in contains impurities or chemicals that could be dangerous to their plants. Boiling water will kill most contaminants, theoretically making the water safer for sensitive plants. The water must cool to room temperature before using, however, or the heat will kill the plants.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...