Plants do know God's rainwater from "our" water. They have a definite preference for rainwater, but our water will work ok. Plants are not dumb. And no, I don't talk to our plants, though I would suspect that maybe my wife may! :)
Which plant or plants told you that? :o) I don't speak to the plants like your wife, but I gently touch them. Does that make a difference? I don't know, but it makes me feel better to touch them. That touch, to me, means I'm going to defend them and not let critters/insects murder them. I saw too much murder earlier when the plants were killed.