Is it bad to water your in-house plants with ice?

Question

My mom says its good because it waters them slowly. But I would think the temperature of the water may harm them? Well my plants aren't dying but its only been a 1.5 weeks

Answer 1

I would say that probably depends on what kind of plant it is. Some plants need a lot of water, and ice actually contains a lot of air so they might not be getting enough water. Others might not be able to tolerate the cold, because even though the ice is melted by the time it gets to them there will be a change (although slight) in soil temperature. Finally I would worry that if you cover the entire surface of the soil with ice you might change the flow of gasses in and out of the soil, which could harm the plant. Try an experiment. Get two identical plants and treat them exactly the same (fertilizer, type of soil, pot size, amount of sunlight, etc) and then give them the same volume of water every day but give one ice and one water. So let's say you want to give them each 1/2 cup/day, freeze exactly 1/2 cup water for the plant you are going to give ice to and give the other one 1/2 cup liquid water. Do this for a few weeks and see which plant ends up better.

Answer 2

I've heard that watering your plants with either warm or room-temperature water is best, but your mom's idea could work because the melted ice water wouldn't be quite as cold as the ice itself. As long as the ice stays away from the plant and leaves, then I think it will be fine. If anything, do this for a month and see. If your plant is still healthy-looking, then great! It sounds like a great idea, might try it myself!

Answer 3

By the time the ice melts and provides water to your plants, I don't think the water would be cold enough to cause any harm to your plants. I think you should be ok in doing that.

The only thing you might watch is that you may not want to surround the plants themselves with a lot of ice, like having them partially buried in it or anything, obviously that could be very cold for them. I think if the ice is just sitting on the dirt though, not really coming in much direct contact with the plants, there shouldn't be any problem.

~Kyle

Answer 4

How would you feel if you got to take a bath with melting ice dripping on you?? Hmmm? That's what I thought. It would suck. I actually leave a bucket of water in my garden so it heats up during the day and when I water in the afternoon the plants all get nice warm water. Just pour the warm water on your plants a little slower if you think tha's a problem. i never heard of trying to water slowly. Probably an old habit that your mom's mom's mom started because she only had a giant watering wooden bucket to water with so she had to pour very slowly. It was so hard that she decided to start watering with ice cubes so she wouldny have mud splashed all over the floor. I bet that's it.

Answer 5

If you take into account that most house plants are in fact tropical plants, I think ice is a bad idea.
They are not suited to cold soil.
Plus, if the water is cold it probably causes the roots to cringe and thus not be able to draw the water up.
Sort of how you feel in a cold shower or lake.

Answer 6

I would consider what plants are growing in a natural setting - what outside would be watered with ice - early spring out side- ?

Not much grows in nature until the weather gets mild enough for the plants to thrive.

It makes no sense to me to use ice to water any plants.

Answer 7

Actually, the water should be room temperature to water indoor plants so it is better to let it set overnight. It is better to water them until the water runs out the bottom. Re-water every 3-4 days depending on the dryness of the soil. Glad your plants didn't die.

Answer 8

about a month ago i helped set up the Southern Nurseryman's Association (SNA) show... at that show that lasts for 3 days they can't water... how do you keep a plant alive that you can't water?... you put ice on it... as the ice melts it waters it... its at least 33 degrees farenheight... the only plants i saw wilting on the 3rd day were the ones that didn't get ice put on them... if your worried you might freeze your plant (doubtful though) put a couple layers of papertowels on top of the roots...

if you don't trust the idea that more that a hand full of horticulturist participated in ... you'd be wayyyy too uptight

Answer 9

I don't think it's a good idea. Even if it's not as cold as ice cube, it's still ...cold! Ice cold water is taste good to drink in the summer time, but the plants like it to be in room temperature. Would you dip yourself in the glacier melt lake everyday? Noooo...

Answer 10

i do no longer, yet I clear out my faucet water. No way will I drink this city's water. I heard some wild memories years in the past approximately men on the plant have been"including" to the water grant. no longer especially. actual or no longer, the water here tastes terrible, and smelly additionally. i be responsive to of folk who do and have been eating the faucet for all their lives, and are nonetheless kicking...i will bypass. ;)