To grow copper sulfate crystals, you need copper sulfate to begin with. Cupric sulfate is a more formal name for copper sulfate. It occurs both as blue crystals and as a non-crystalline powder. Crystal growth experiments usually employ the crystalline form. Even when using the powder, you need a few crystals as seed on which the crystals can grow. You can obtain copper sulfate crystals commercially under the name "blue vitriol." If you want to make cupric sulfate from scratch, you need sulfuric acid and metallic copper as starting materials.
Another material needed for copper sulfate crystal growth is water. Tap water usually works well, but with distilled water, you will be certain that no impurities are present that may interfere with the experiment. Water not only acts as a solvent to dissolve the copper sulfate, but also enters into the composition of the crystals when they start to grow. In a copper sulfate crystal, five molecules of water unite with each molecule of cupric sulfate to form a substance called "cupric sulfate pentahydrate."
Another necessary material is a source of heat. In a chemistry laboratory, a Bunsen burner is standard equipment. In the home, the burner of a gas stove or electric range will serve the purpose.
Other necessary materials are two containers and a stirring apparatus. Since cupric sulfate reacts with such materials as iron and steel, these materials are not suitable for the experiment. One container must tolerate heat since the water and cupric sulfate will be heated in it until most of the cupric sulfate dissolves and the solution acquires a blue color. A pyroceramic glass cookware will serve the purpose in the home. A clean glass rod will serve to stir the solution until the cupric sulfate is dissolved. An ordinary coffee cup will serve as a second container. It must be sufficiently large to allow for crystal growth. The cupric sulfate solution is poured into this second container together with a few small undissolved crystals for seed, but not too many. As the water slowly evaporates from this second container, large copper sulfate crystals will slowly form around the small seed crystals.