If you’re a plant lover, you’re always on the lookout for the next best tip to boost your plant’s growth. So, you must have leaped for joy when you came across the viral hack that promises unbelievable benefits if you water your garden with pasta liquid.
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But before you save that pot of tortellini water for the next watering schedule, let’s pause for a minute and listen to what the experts think about it.
What’s The Pasta Hack All About?
Instagrammer @mold_hound (Viktoriya Legkun) claims to be a “non-toxic living-mold dog inspector.” She shared the hack for watering plants with pasta liquid in a viral reel she posted on January 25.
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In the video, she can be seen watering her houseplants with a milky-colored liquid. “Don’t pour out your pasta water,” an inscription on the reel read.
The Process
According to Legkun, you should cool the pasta water before use. Then, add regular water to dilute it. The next step, the content creator says, is to water your plants with the solution as you would normally do.
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However, she made sure to add “Remember not to overdo it — moderation is key for happy, thriving plants.”
What The Experts Are Saying
The primary concern experts have with Legkun’s hack is salt. Although she mentioned that her pasta water didn’t have salt or oil, a commenter asked, “But who isn’t adding salt to their pasta water?”
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Legkun said, “It’s better if the water isn’t salted.” But we believe that the more accurate instruction should have been, “Don’t add salt at all.” We’ll tell you why.
Put It On The Sodium…
“A crucial point to be aware of is that pasta water is typically salted (often quite heavily),” says horticulturist Andrew Gaumond, who doubles as the Editorial Director at Petal Republic.
Source: cornishsea_salt/Instagram
According to him, “If plants are given too much sodium, it can immediately affect the nutrient base in the soil in a negative way and also cause your plants to quickly dehydrate as the salt sucks out the moisture.” Got it now?
…You’ve Got to Consider the Preservatives Too
Besides sodium, experts are also concerned about the preservatives in pasta. According to them, preservatives and many other chemicals found in the noodles can do more harm than good to plants.
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Someone tried to give an alternative to pasta. “I use my rice water. And no bugs or mold because I also feed my plants colloidal silver,” the commenter typed. But is this any better?
Speaking of Molds
“Unsalted pasta can give a nutrient boost to your plants and is a great sustainable way to save water,” say some experts at HeyPlants.
Source: lifestylenutritionist.rd/Instagram
“However, use it sparingly. If used too often bacteria can build up and lead to mold growth,” they added. Many experienced gardeners believe that this applies to rice water too.
Is There Any Merit in Using Pasta Water?
There’s no denying that pasta contains a significant amount of minerals that are also beneficial to plants, including zinc, magnesium, copper, and selenium. However, these are all micronutrients that become harmful in large quantities.
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So, ask yourself if it’s worth it in the end. Why sacrifice delicious pasta to feed your plants nutrients they only need in small amounts? This is especially true when you also feed your plants commercial fertilizers that already contain these nutrients in the right quantities.
Something Has to Give
Assuming Legkun’s hack adds some nutrients to the plant, you’ll have to forfeit adding salt to your pasta to avoid its harmful effects. In other words, you must choose between having a flavorful meal or supplying your houseplants with nutritional goodies. You can’t have it both ways.
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For us, that’s too much to ask of anyone, particularly when there are other conventional ways of enhancing plant growth.
There’s also The Risk of Overwatering
Another disadvantage of using this hack is the high risk of overwatering your plants, especially if you cook pasta frequently.
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Giving your plant more water than it needs can result in an overlogged soil. This will impede the roots’ ability to absorb enough oxygen, causing them to rot. And as you already know, damaged roots equals damaged plants.
How Viewers Reacted
The commenters on Legkun’s real were divided in their opinions concerning the “liquid gold,” as pasta water is often called. While some of them were excited about the idea, others were quick to express their misgivings.
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“Such a great idea, I’ll def do this next time,” someone typed. “Unfortunately, if you’re going pasta correctly, you’re going to kill your plants with this tip,” another said.
To Try or Not to Try — The Choice is Yours
As a plant parent, you have to ensure that your “babies” receive the best TLC they can get. Sometimes, this means researching innovative methods to improve their nutrition.
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However, you must keep in mind that not every new idea deserves to be implemented. Always verify from reliable experts and weigh the pros against the cons before you take action.
