When it comes to the health of your garden, you have to take watering seriously. The best time of day to water, how often each plant needs to be watered, how much water to use … a lot goes into maintaining even a small backyard garden! As a home spa owner, you also know that every 3-4 months your hot tub needs a good cleaning. This includes draining all the water. So the question inevitably gets asked: Can you use your spa to water your garden?

The short answer is yes! This may be surprising. After all, hot tub water is chemically treated. But the truth is, with a few precautions, your hot tub water is fine for most plants.

What About the Chemicals in My Spa Water?

Chemicals like bromine and chlorine keep your water clean and clear. While this makes the hot tub safe for you, chlorine, in particular, can be dangerous to your plants. So, before you use your spa water to water your plants, it’s important to let the chemical levels dissipate. Simply leave your hot tub uncovered for a day or two. You can also run the jets for several hours to speed up the process.

Before you use the water on your plants, check to make sure the chemicals are within safe levels:

• Chlorine – less than 1.5 ppm 
• Bromine – 2.0-4.0 ppm
• pH – 7.1 – 7.4

So Is All Spa Water Safe?

For the most part, yes. The primary exception to this rule is found in saltwater hot tubs. The water used in a saltwater spa is not safe to use on your plants. The salt combined with the natural chlorine a saltwater spa produces can damage plants or even kill them in the right doses.

Do I Need to Do Anything Special to My Garden?

The best part about recycling your spa water is how easy it is to use. Once you’ve tested the water to ensure it is safe for your plants, place it into desired containers, and it’s ready to use! As far as plants go, spa water is safe for almost any plant, other than roses, vegetables, and fruits. 

Do you have other questions about draining or cleaning your hot tub? Give us a call!