Peace lily plants are prominent for their enticing white blooms, lush green foliage, and ability to improve air quality by 60%.
Native to tropical regions, this low-light indoor plant is loved for its easy going nature, making it ideal for novice and experienced gardeners alike.
But, like any other houseplant, failing to provide minimal care can ruin peace lily growth.
To ensure the plant blooms in spring and continues to beautify your space throughout the year, you should provide adequate indirect light, a suitable container, adequate water, and enough nutrients in the potting soil.
If you’re willing to add this striking beauty to your plant collection, you must know the growing requirements of peace lily.
With this, you can avoid common growing problems of peace lily plants and have thriving greenery in your space.
Outline
Propagating peace lily plants using the division method is considered one of the easiest ways to grow this houseplant.
Choosing a proper container allows the plant to grow without being root-bound.
As peace lily can thrive in low to moderate light, it needs indirect sunlight for about 6 hours. Avoid direct sunlight in the afternoon, as it can burn the foliage.
Choosing the wrong potting soil can result in overwatering and root rot. To prevent such gardening blunders, use potting soil that drains well and water the peace lily when you notice the top 1-2 inches of the soil is dry. You can check the moisture with your index finger.
As the potting soil does have old compost and other nutrients, fertilize the peace lily plant once during the growing season.
Regularly inspect the plant for pests and diseases.
Growing Requirements of Peace Lily
To have a successful gardening experience, gardeners often learn about the plant’s natural growing environment and try to mimic it as much as possible.
Peace lilies are tropical plants, meaning they prefer humid conditions, moderate temperatures, and indirect light.
They grow best in well-draining soil that retains some moisture without becoming soggy.
Though peace lilies are forgiving of occasional neglect, providing proper care encourages them to grow healthier and bloom frequently.
- Peace lily thrives in low to moderate indirect light. Direct sunlight can burn its leaves.
- Overwatering is a common gardening blunder that can kill house plants. Water Peace lily only when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Prefers high humidity; mist leaves or use a humidity tray.
- The ideal temperature to grow peace lily is 65°F and 80°F. Avoid extreme changes in temperature.
- Choose well-drained and fertile potting soil to grow peace lily plants.
- To encourage optimal growth, add well-balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. Don’t fertilize during the dormant season.
- To avoid root bound, repot every 1-2 years using a slightly larger pot.
How to Grow Peace Lily Plant at Home?
Growing peace lilies at home is relatively straightforward, especially since they are adaptable to indoor conditions.
They can be grown from seeds, but the most common way to propagate peace lilies is through division, which ensures faster growth and healthy new plants.
Propagating Peace Lily by Division
The easiest and most effective way to grow new peace lilies is by dividing an existing plant. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a Mature Plant: Wait until your peace lily has outgrown its pot, with roots showing through the drainage holes or growing out of the soil. This is a sign the plant is ready for division.
- Remove the plant from its Pot: Gently remove the peace lily from its pot, being careful not to damage the roots. You may need to loosen the soil around the edges of the pot.
- Divide the Plant: Once the plant is free, gently separate the root ball into two or more sections. Each section should have a healthy amount of roots and at least one leaf cluster.
- Repot the Divisions: Place each division into its pot filled with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Water them nicely to help settle the soil around the roots.
- Care for the Divisions: Place the newly potted plants in a spot with indirect sunlight and water them regularly to help establish their roots.
Check this: How Often to Water Peace Lily?
Growing Peace Lily from Seed
Growing peace lilies from seed is possible but less common. The seeds must be fresh, and germination can take several weeks. Here’s how to grow them from seed:
- Obtain Fresh Seeds: If growing from seed, you’ll need to collect or purchase fresh peace lily seeds. Seeds from a flowering peace lily may be challenging to come by but can be found from speciality plant suppliers.
- Plant the Seeds: Fill a seed tray or small pots with a light potting mix. Sow the seeds just below the surface of the soil, ensuring they are covered but not buried too deep.
- Keep the Soil Moist: Lightly water the soil, ensuring it remains moist but not waterlogged. Cover the pots or trays with a plastic bag or a propagation dome to create a humid environment.
- Provide Indirect Light: Place the seeds in a location where they will receive indirect light, as direct sunlight can dry them out too quickly.
- Wait for Germination: Be patient, as it can take 4-6 weeks for peace lily seeds to germinate. Once they sprout, remove the plastic cover and continue caring for the seedlings as they grow.
Also Read: Banana Peel Fertilizer for Peace Lily
How to Care for Peace Lily Plant?
Once your peace lily is established, keeping it healthy requires consistent care. While this plant is relatively low-maintenance, several critical aspects must be considered to ensure its thrive, from choosing the right pot to avoiding common watering mistakes.
Choose Ideal Growing Pot for Peace Lily
Choosing the right pot for your peace lily is crucial for its overall health. The pot must have proper drainage to prevent water from sitting at the bottom, which can cause root rot.
Peace lilies prefer to be slightly root-bound, so choose a pot that allows for some snugness without being too cramped.
When repotting, select a container that is just one size larger than the current one. The best pots for peace lilies are made from materials like ceramic or terracotta, as they help regulate moisture by allowing some water to evaporate.
Peace Lily Needs Indirect Sunlight
One reason peace lilies are popular houseplants is their ability to thrive in low to moderate light conditions.
They do best with indirect sunlight, such as in a room with filtered light or a few feet away from a window.
Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, turning them brown or yellow. If your peace lily isn’t blooming, it may need more light.
In low-light conditions, they may survive but produce fewer or no flowers. If natural light is limited in your home, you can use fluorescent lights to supplement their needs.
Also Read: Is Epsom Salt Good for Peace Lily?
Avoid Overwatering Peace Lily
Watering is a critical aspect of peace lily care. Overwatering is the most common mistake that can lead to root rot and other problems.
Peace lilies prefer consistently moist soil, but the top inch of the soil should dry out slightly between waterings. The general rule is to water them once a week, but this can vary depending on your home’s humidity and the season.
If possible, use filtered or distilled water, as peace lilies are sensitive to chemicals like chlorine found in tap water.
Water the soil directly instead of the leaves to prevent fungal issues.
Fertilize Peace Lily
Peace lilies aren’t heavy feeders, but regular fertilization will encourage lush growth and blooming. A balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength works well.
Fertilize your peace lily once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) and reduce feeding during the fall and winter.
Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can cause brown leaf tips and damage the plant.
If your peace lily isn’t flowering, it might benefit from a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, as this nutrient promotes bloom production.
Ideal Temperature and Humidity
Peace lilies thrive in average household temperatures, ideally between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C). They don’t tolerate cold drafts, so keep them away from doors, windows, and air conditioners.
Being tropical plants, peace lilies enjoy higher humidity levels. If your home is dry, especially in winter, mist the leaves regularly or place the plant on a humidity tray filled with water and pebbles.
Using a humidifier nearby can also help maintain optimal humidity levels for your plant.
Pests and Diseases to Avoid
Peace lilies are generally resistant to most pests, but they can still fall victim to common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Regularly check the undersides of the leaves for any signs of pests.
Wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or spraying them with insecticidal soap can help manage infestations.
Diseases such as root rot caused by overwatering or fungal leaf spots caused by excessive moisture on the leaves can be avoided with proper care.
If you notice yellowing or wilting, inspect the roots and adjust your watering routine as needed.
How to Care for Peace Lily in Winter?
During the winter months, peace lilies enter a period of dormancy, during which their growth slows down, and they may produce fewer or no blooms.
To care for your peace lily in winter, reduce watering and allow the soil to dry out a bit more between waterings.
Hold off on fertilizing until spring, when the plant starts actively growing again. Keep the plant away from cold drafts and ensure it’s still receiving some indirect light.
While peace lilies can handle lower light levels in winter, they may need to be repositioned to ensure they’re not too far from a light source.
Also Read: Can You Put a Peace Lily Outside in Summer?
Conclusion
Peace lilies are an excellent addition to any home, offering beauty and air-purifying benefits.
With their low-maintenance needs and ability to thrive in low-light conditions, they are perfect for both beginners and seasoned plant enthusiasts.
By providing them with the right environment, watering correctly, and giving them a little extra care during the winter months, your peace lilies will thrive and reward you with their stunning white blooms and lush green foliage.
Whether you’re propagating a new peace lily or caring for an existing one, following these guidelines will help you grow a healthy, vibrant plant.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting