Is Pasta Water Good For Plants?

Watering plants is inevitable when you have a garden. Is pasta water good for plants? We often see social media posts and articles saying plants should be watered with potato water, pasta water etc. Let’s explore more on this subject. Why should we use pasta water instead of normal water? Is pasta water a substitute for fertilizer? Which plants can be benefited from using pasta water? There are many doubts and misbeliefs that need clarification before adding pasta water to your home garden regime.

1. What Is Pasta Water?

Pasta water is obtained from boiling pasta in water. It can also be generated from soaking and washing pasta. During washing, the pasta dust gets dissolved in water. They are rich in starch. These starchs are obtained from ingredients like flour and egg. The starch will serve as food for the microbes. Pasta water obtained from boiling has more nutrients compared to those obtained by soaking. This is because boiling can release more nutrients from pasta into the water.

1.1 Is Pasta Water a Fertilizer Substitute?

Experts say there is nothing to worry about using pasta water for watering. It is completely safe and harmless unless and until they are not salted or seasoned. It is a good alternative to water. Thus it can save water. If the pasta water is salted, it can harm the plant. Saltwater dehydrates the plant. It can drain the moisture content from the plant body. Added salt is used as a natural weed killer because of this reason. They can destroy even weeds by absorbing moisture from them. It is a natural way to kill weeds.

Pasta water is not a fertilizer substitute. Even after using pasta water for watering, you have to feed the plant. The rich starch content in pasta water can enrich microbial growth. This provides healthy plant growth and prevents root rot. Some say pasta water is also rich in iron and calcium. Nitrogen and phosphorus are required for the vegetative growth of the plant. Flowering and fruiting need potassium. A deficiency in these three nutrients can make the plant unhealthy. Pasta water supplies potassium and phosphorus to the soil. 

Fermented pasta water can get rid of some pests.

1.2 How to Use Pasta Water?

Use the pasta water twice a week on most plants. Pasta water can be used after soaking for a minimum of five minutes. You can choose both bottom watering and misting for pasta water. While misting, mix pasta water with water. The ratio is 1:1. This can be used on any plants that need watering.

1.3 Is Pasta Water Beneficial for Plants?

Pasta is usually made of whole grains. Whole grains are rich in fibre, manganese, selenium, copper, and phosphorus. Refined pasta is also a good source of vitamin B and iron. Starch constitutes the major part of pasta. This starch has two components. They are amylose and amylopectin. By the application of heat they become thick, hence used as a thickening agent. Starch also enhances microbial activity in the soil. Thus more nutrients can be made available to the plants. These microbes also help in preventing diseases that affect the plant’s roots.

1.4 Pasta Water and Succulents

Pasta water is a great substitute for pure water to water succulents along with essential nutrients. Dilute pasta water before spraying on succulents. Succulents don’t prefer moist and cloggy soil. So always dilute before misting. Choose any spray bottle available at your home. Spray bottles should be clean and pasta water should be diluted. Otherwise, it won’t spray effectively. You can spray on top of the plants and also spray the bottom side of the leaves. It is also beneficial to do misting on topsoil. Choose early mornings or late evenings for watering. So that plants can easily absorb them before getting evaporate.

1.5 Advantages of Pasta Water

It is a reusable kitchen waste.

Pasta water is completely organic.

There is less cost of purchasing.

They are eco-friendly and safe.

Enrich useful microbes in the soil.

They can heal burns caused by the use of chemicals.

Can be used either as bottom watering or as foliar spraying.

1.6 Functions of Water In Plants

Seed Germination – The process of creating a new plant from a plant seed is termed germination. Water softens the plant seeds by a process called imbibition.

Mechanical support – Water is transported via osmosis in plant cells. It creates a turgor pressure which makes the plant body sturdy.

Photosynthesis – The process of conversion of light energy and carbon dioxide to oxygen and ATP in plants is called photosynthesis. It happens in the chloroplast where chlorophyll is present.

Nutrient transport – All Essential nutrients are transported to plants with the help of water. The plant vascular system requires the presence of water for nutrient transport. The plant vascular system consists of the xylem and phloem which transports nutrients up and down. This process is mineral nutrition.

Transpiration – The process of losing water through plant stomata is called transpiration. The process brings down the temperature as they rise in plants.

2. Method of Preparation of Pasta Water

Pasta measure can be used to measure any kind of long pasta. Especially spaghetti and linguine. You can choose different loops for measuring one serving. Pasta water can be obtained in two ways. They are soaking and boiling.

2.1 Pasta Water From Soaking

Take uncooked pasta of your preference in a bowl. Add two cups of water for rinsing. Leave them as it is for 24 hours. Strain the pasta water the next day. You can also stir the water for thorough mixing. Pasta water is ready to use. This pasta water won’t be very thick.

2.2 Pasta Water From Boiling

Take uncooked pasta in a cooking pot. Add water and place in medium flame. Cook for 30-40 minutes. After cooking, stir well and strain the pasta water into a bowl. If the pasta water is thick add water to dilute and then use. Pasta water from cooking pasta will have more nutrients as boiling helps release more nutrients.

3. Fermented Pasta Water

Fermented pasta water has its own benefits. Pasta water after fermentation can act as a pesticide in some ways. The fermentation process increases the count of bacteria in the pasta water. The increased bacteria can enhance root health and growth. Fermented pasta water has an alcoholic smell. Insects like flea beetles flies and aphids get irritated by alcohol. Also, the alcoholic smell can keep other pests like snakes and iguanas away from the plants.

Method of Preparation

Take a glass jar and fill 75% with pasta water. Add some sugar and a little milk. Keep the mixture as it is for 3 days. After 3 days it will be fermented and ready to use. You can use it concentrated or diluted. So choose to use them after getting fermented.

4. Precautions to Take Before Using Pasta Water

Firstly be wary of using salted pasta water. Salted water can retard plant growth, affect nitrogen absorption and plant life. Always use unsalted pasta water.

If you add oil to the pasta to make them non-sticky please don’t use them on plants. Oil will get heated up by sunlight and damage the plant.

Never use yeast to ferment pasta water. Yeast is a microorganism which can produce alcohol from sugars. If the alcohol concentration in pasta water increases it may adversely affect the plant’s health.

Always prefer to use pasta water after cooling it down. Too much temperature can damage the roots.

5. Other Starchy Water

Starch is essential for growth and metabolism. There are many sources of starch in our day-to-day kitchen essentials. Rice and potatoes are examples. The water used to cook them is a great source of different nutrients. Starch water is a good fertilizer for some plants. Their nutritional value is high.

5.1 Rice Water

Like leftover pasta water, rice water is also starchy water. Washing rice before cooking can get your rice water. You can use them directly for watering. Rice water can also be used after fermenting. Fermentation can increase the useful microbes and benefit the plant positively. The rice dust formed from milling is rich in starch. They get dissolved in water once you wash them. The resulting residue is what we need.

5.2 Potato Water

Potatoes are rich in nutrients. They have nutrients like starch, iron, calcium etc. Potato water is not thick like rice water or pasta water. But are beneficial for plants. If you want to use it after fermenting, then apply the same procedures as pasta water. Boiling unpeeled potatoes can yield more nutrients.

5.3 Dry Noodles

They are the same as pasta water. Can be used fermented or directly. For fermentation, keep them in a container for three days. Don’t use yeast. But sugar and milk can be added for effective fermentation.

6. Ways of Watering

There are different ways of watering a plant. Like misting, bottom watering etc. Each of the methods is unique and has its benefits. Depending on the water requirement of the plants choose one.

6.1 Misting

For misting, all you need is a spray bottle. The bottle should be cleaned well before using it. If you are taking starchy water inside the bottle make sure to dilute it. Their thick consistency can clog the spraying tube inside the spray bottle. Misting can reduce the chance of over-watering. Even underneath the leaves can be watered using a misting method.

6.2 Bottom Watering

Bottom watering is the most accurate and safest method of watering. There is no risk of overwatering in this method. All you need is a large container compared to the pot. Place the pot inside the container and add water to the container. The water should be at a level of 1-2 inches of the pot. Leave the pot for a few hours. After a few hours check the soil for moisture. If the moisture is adequate then remove the pot from the container and drain excess water if any.

Final Thoughts

Pasta water for plants is a wise choice. They are a good source of starch. It also has a mild amount of NPK. Soil absorbs this organic fertilizer and enhances soil carbon metabolism. Pasta water is obtained by soaking pasta or boiling pasta. The pasta water obtained from boiling has more nutrients compared to soaking. Fermented starchy water has an alcoholic smell. This alcoholic smell can keep snakes and lizards away. While using pasta water for watering, make sure they are not seasoned and oiled. Never use yeast for fermentation as they can increase the alcoholic content. Rice water and dry noodle water are other starchy water which can be used on plants. 

FAQs

How long can you keep pasta water in the refrigerator for plants?

You can use them readily when it comes to room temperature. If you want to ferment it, the fermentation period is 3 days. Keep them in the fridge but not for more than one week. Use them before it gets spoiled.

How good is pasta or rice water for plants?

Both pasta and rice water are good sources of different nutrients. You can use them directly on plants. Fermented rice or pasta water are more beneficial as they can increase soil microbial activity.

What can you do with pasta water?

The one purpose of leftover pasta water is, it can be used as a substitute for watering. They can be a substitute for water and act as a mild fertilizer too. They are rich in starch. Fermented pasta water can get rid of pests like fruit flies, plant lice etc.

How do you use pasta water in the garden?

Pasta water can be used as a substitute for water. It also has a very small amount of NPK. When fermented they can get rid of pests. The starch-rich pasta water can enrich beneficial microbes. You can use them on plants by misting or bottom-watering methods.