Over 2 billion people still lack safe drinking water, and every year, nearly one million die from contaminated sources. While modern water treatment exists, many regions are left without it, relying instead on nature’s own solutions.
In a survival situation or in areas without clean water, certain plants can act as powerful natural filters. Here are 13 plants that could help you access clean water when it matters most.
1. Indian Lilac (Azadirachta indica)
A towering evergreen tree native to the Indian subcontinent, the Indian Lilac has been revered for centuries in traditional medicine. Its bitter-tasting leaves contain powerful compounds that can eliminate up to 14 different types of harmful bacteria and significantly reduce water turbidity.
How to use:
- Add crushed neem leaves to contaminated water
- Let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours
- Filter through a clean cloth
- The water is now safer to drink
2. Holy Basil, Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
This aromatic herb, considered sacred in many cultures, contains essential oils with powerful antimicrobial properties. The plant’s leaves also contain compounds that can bind with heavy metals, effectively removing them from water sources.
How to use:
- Crush fresh tulsi leaves
- Add to contaminated water
- Allow to steep for 2-3 hours
- Strain before consuming
3. Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera)
Known as the “miracle tree,” this fast-growing species produces seeds containing natural proteins that act as powerful coagulants. These proteins can reduce water turbidity by up to 99%. (ref)
A single crushed seed can purify up to two liters of water, making it one of the most efficient natural water purifiers available.
How to use:
- Grind Moringa seeds into powder
- Add to cloudy water
- Stir for 5-10 minutes
- Let settle for 1-2 hours
- Filter through cloth
4. Common Cattail (Typha latifolia)
These distinctive wetland plants, with their characteristic brown cigar-shaped heads, are natural biofilters. Their extensive root systems can remove heavy metals from water, including lead, zinc, and copper.
The plants also harbor beneficial bacteria in their rhizosphere that help break down water pollutants.
How to use:
- Plant cattails in contaminated water source
- Allow water to filter through root system
- Collect filtered water
- Boil before drinking
5. Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
This fragrant aquatic plant doesn’t just add a pleasant aroma to water; it’s a powerful natural purifier. Its essential oils contain compounds that can kill waterborne pathogens, including giardia and cryptosporidium.
The plant also helps oxygenate water and can reduce algal growth in stagnant sources.
How to use:
- Crush fresh water mint leaves
- Add to water
- Let steep for several hours
- Filter before consuming
6. Common Rush (Juncus effusus)
This hardy wetland plant is a remarkable bioaccumulator of heavy metals and organic pollutants. Its dense root system can filter out suspended solids while absorbing toxins, making it particularly effective in treating agricultural runoff.
Studies have shown it can remove nitrogen and phosphorus from contaminated water.
How to use:
- Plant in contaminated water
- Allow natural filtration to occur
- Collect water after 24 hours
- Filter through cloth
7. White Water Lily (Nymphaea alba)
These elegant aquatic plants are more than just beautiful; they’re powerful water purifiers. Their large floating leaves provide shade that inhibits algal growth, while their extensive root systems absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
A single water lily can filter an area of up to 25 square feet of water surface.
How to use:
- Place water lilies in contaminated water
- Wait 24-48 hours for absorption
- Collect treated water
- Filter before use
8. Common Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
This kitchen herb is surprisingly effective at water purification. Research has shown that cilantro can bind to toxic metals like lead and mercury, removing them from water.
Its rapid growth rate and widespread availability make it an accessible option for water treatment in many regions.
How to use:
- Crush fresh cilantro
- Add to contaminated water
- Let sit for several hours
- Strain before drinking
9. Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
The common pine tree harbors a sophisticated natural filtration system within its branches. The xylem tissue acts as a highly effective water filter, removing particles as small as 100 nanometers through a process similar to commercial water filters.
A small branch can filter several liters of water per day.
How to use:
- Strip bark from a pine branch
- Attach plastic tubing to one end
- Pour water through the branch
- Collect filtered water
10. Common Banana (Musa acuminata)
The humble banana’s peel contains high levels of mineable metals that can effectively remove water contaminants. Research has shown that dried banana peels can remove heavy metals like lead and copper from water.
The peels also contain antimicrobial compounds that help reduce harmful bacteria.
How to use:
- Dry and crush banana peels
- Add to contaminated water
- Let sit for several hours
- Filter through cloth
11. Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum)
This submerged aquatic plant is a powerhouse of water purification. Its finely divided leaves provide an enormous surface area for trapping suspended particles and absorbing pollutants.
The plant can remove excess nutrients from water while producing oxygen that helps beneficial bacteria thrive.
How to use:
- Place hornwort in the water source
- Allow 24 hours for filtration
- Remove plant
- Filter water before drinking
12. Canadian Waterweed (Elodea canadensis)
This common aquatic plant is a superior oxygenator and natural filter. Its dense growth can remove significant amounts of heavy metals and excess nutrients from water, while simultaneously producing oxygen that helps maintain healthy water conditions.
A single plant can filter up to 10 gallons of water per day.
How to use:
- Introduce plant to water source
- Wait 24-48 hours
- Remove plant
- Filter water
13. Black Plum (Syzygium cumini)
The seeds of this tropical tree contain natural compounds that act as powerful water purifiers. Rich in tannins and other bioactive compounds, these seeds can effectively remove both biological and chemical contaminants from water.
How to use:
- Crush seeds into powder
- Add to contaminated water
- Let sit for 2-3 hours
- Filter before consuming
While these natural water purification methods can be invaluable in emergencies or areas lacking modern water treatment facilities, they should be part of a multi-barrier approach to water purification.
When possible, combine these plant-based methods with other purification techniques such as boiling or solar disinfection for optimal safety.
Source:
Don’t Miss These:
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.