Should I water houseplants with cold or warm water?

June 10, 2026 1 min read

Use room-temperature water for houseplants.

Cold tap water shocks tropical roots, especially in winter when the difference can be 10C or more, and can cause leaf spotting and slowed growth on sensitive species. Warm or hot water is fine in moderation but unnecessary. Tepid water, around 18 to 22C, is the sweet spot.

This applies to all houseplants. The species fussiest about water temperature are also the species fussiest about everything else: Calathea, Maranta, African violets, Anthuriums, and most ferns.