Horticultural Effects From Alkaline Water

Alkaline water has a pH level greater than 7. The growth and health of plants can be affected by the pH of the soil they grow in. Thus, alkaline water can affect the growth of plants.

Effects on Physical Characteristics and Growth of Plants

• Supplying your plants with alkaline water can cause deficiencies of the micronutrients boron, iron, manganese and zinc that affect healthy plant growth and metabolism, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension. The development of your crops and plants may not reach their full potential or suffer from chlorotic effects due to higher than suggested alkaline levels.

Effects on Soil

• Alkaline water will increase the soil's pH level, which in turn decreases the permeability of micronutrients and, oddly enough, of the water itself over time as alkaline conditions create tight, dry soil. This soil contains a high percentage of macronutrients such as phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. You will find alkaline favorable plants growing in these conditions. Dry and arid climates tend to have alkaline soil.

Plants That Prefer Alkaline Conditions

• Some plants need to be grown in alkaline conditions, but within a certain range of alkalinity, or growth impairment will occur. Examples of flowers that prefer alkaline conditions are lilacs, asters and pinks. Examples of brushes and shrubs that prefer alkaline conditions are yew, boxwood, mock orange and barberry. Examples of trees that prefer alkaline conditions are cherry, maple, plum, ash and beech. Examples of vegetables that prefer alkaline conditions are cauliflower, cucumber, turnips, celery and cabbage.