Are you struggling to keep your houseplants alive? Well, a clever hack has revealed how to keep plants thriving and flourishing using one surprising ingredient.

To celebrate Water Saving Week 2021, the team at Denby are encouraging Brits to reuse leftover cooking water to feed plants. Instead of pouring away water from your spaghetti or vegetables, keep them for your potted plants, beautiful flowers, foliage, and hanging baskets.

As well as reducing water waste, the helpful hack is believed to improve the leaf shine and health of your plants, particularly if they have been looking a little lifeless. The water (only when it's unsalted) provides heaps of nutrients that are great for fostering plant growth.

"There are many reasons not to pour away the water we use during cooking," Hayley Baddiley, Global Marketing Director at Denby, explains. "Not only is it more sustainable to re-use it wherever you can, but doing so allows you to make the most of the vitamins that the water has absorbed."

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How to water plants using cooking water

1. A regular houseplant needs about a tablespoon of water per day on average — that's around half a litre per month. "Instead of giving them plain water from the tap, keep them hydrated and healthy by watering them with cooking water," Hayley adds.

2. Once you have boiled the water, set it aside to cool down. It could be a good idea to water them the following morning.

3. Pour the cooled water to the base of your plants root for maximum impact, also known as 'bottom watering'. This allows your plant to have a sufficient drink without drenching their foliage.

4. The water you boil your eggs in is another great option for plants, just make sure you allow the water to cool before using it to prevent damaging their leaves and stems. The vitamins in vegetable water will keep them nourished and even starch from pasta and potato water will provide them with the nutrients they need, provided it's unsalted (salt will unfortunately kill your plants).

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Lisa Joyner
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful

 Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.