Have you ever come across stunning pictures of peace lilies growing in water on platforms like Pinterest or Instagram and wondered if it’s too good to be true?
Well, surprise—those are as real as they look! Peace lilies can indeed thrive in water. In fact, some even live longer and healthier in water because they’re less susceptible to root rot and other soil-borne diseases.
If you’re wondering how to grow a peace lily in water, you’ve come to the right expert! In this article, I’ll break down the process into bite-sized, easy-to-follow steps, from choosing the right container to ensuring optimal light conditions.
Step 1: Find a Glass Container to Use
The first step to take will be to find a glass container that you can use for the peace lily.
Many people will use small vases, but you can also use a simple tall glass if you’d like to go that route.
Next, you’re going to need to fill the glass container with water.
Avoid using tap water since that isn’t going to work out properly for the plant. Tap water contains harmful chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine, which can disrupt a plant’s metabolic processes.
Instead of tap water, go to the store and buy some distilled water.
Distilled water is free from chemical impurities and bacteria, allowing your orchids to thrive in a healthier, more controlled environment.
Step 2: Make a Plastic Stopper
You’ll need some type of plastic stopper with a hole in the center. You can cut a piece of plastic that will fit the vase or glass container you’re using. The purpose of doing this is to hold the peace lily in place at the mouth of the container.
To make this work, slide the stem of the peace lily through the hole. This keeps the peace lily right where it should be at the top of the container, making it visible for everyone to enjoy.
Step 3: Examine the Peace Lily
Before you put the peace lily in the glass container you’ve chosen, examine it first.
Take a look at the roots and inspect them for damage or rot. If you notice any, remove those sections with your shears.
Once the damaged roots are gone, you’re ready to place the peace lily in the glass container.
TIP: You’ll get better results with growing a peace lily in water if you purchase one that has adapted to growing in the water already. Peace lilies are normally grown in soil, but they can adapt to be able to grow in water over time.
Step 4: Submerge the Roots in the Water
Pour enough distilled water into the glass container so that the roots are fully submerged.
Next, gently lower the peace lily through the hole in the plastic stopper that you made. Once the peace lily is in the right position, you’re good to go.
This step isn’t difficult, but you do want to make sure that you do things right. Leaving the peace lily only partially submerged with some of the roots above the water is less than ideal.
Ensuring that you have a glass container that is the right size is also crucial. If the glass container is too small, you’re not going to have a good time.
If the glass container is a bit taller than you need, no worries—that can work in your favor. You can easily make a plastic stopper to fill the gap. Just make smart decisions along the way, and everything should turn out just fine.
Step 5: Feed Your Peace Lily Every So Often
Take the time to feed your peace lily every so often. The peace lily is trying to get used to its new environment and a bit of fertilizer can go a long way.
Experts recommend that you feed your peace lily a few drops of liquid fertilizer on a bi-weekly basis. This can help the plant thrive and grow strong in the water.
Just don’t go overboard because too much fertilizer could wind up having the opposite effect. You don’t want to harm the peace lily by overfertilizing it.
Liquid fertilizer is much stronger than many people realize. It’s pretty much always best to err on the side of caution when using fertilizer no matter what type of plant you happen to be caring for.
Step 6: Remember to Change the Water
You can’t just leave the water as it is for months on end when you’re caring for a peace lily this way. If you want the peace lily to survive and do well, then it’s necessary to change the water now and then.
To get good results, change the water in the glass container once every two weeks. Changing the water on a bi-weekly basis will keep things from stagnating and it’ll prevent the roots from drying out.
If you don’t pay attention, then there might not be enough water to sustain the peace lily. This is why you must be proactive about changing the water on a schedule.
Remember to keep distilled water around that you can use to fill the glass container. Ensure that the distilled water is at room temperature when you change things out, too.
Step 7: Keep the Peace Lily in Indirect Sunlight
Keeping the peace lily in indirect sunlight will give it the best chance to grow strong and do well in the glass container.
Peace lilies do well when placed in indirect sunlight. Too much sunlight can be a problem for peace lilies since they can’t handle it. If you keep the peace lily in full sun, then you’re going to notice problems before too long.
It’s good to know that peace lilies can actually do well in environments that have very little light. For instance, you could place a peace lily in a dim office environment and expect it to do okay.
Just try to ensure that the peace lily has some access to indirect sunlight. Everything will be just fine and you’ll be able to enjoy having the peace lily in your home or office environment.
FAQs
How long do peace lilies live in water?
It might be hard to believe but under the right conditions, peace lilies can live indefinitely in water. Just remember to follow the tips above to ensure they live as long as possible.
How often do you change the water in a peace lily?
Ideally, you should replace your peace lily’s water at least once every one to two weeks, or whenever it looks cloudy. Don’t wait until the water becomes slimy and dirty to change it.
Final Thoughts
Growing a peace lily in water is not overly difficult when you approach things the right way. You’ll get good results so long as you follow the advice above.
Peace lilies are normally grown in soil, but they can do just fine in water. Remember that you’re meant to grow just one peace lily in a glass container at a time, though.
Enjoy the aesthetic appeal that your peace lily will add to your home or office. Peace lilies in water won’t last as long as the ones that are grown in soil, but they’re beautiful for the time they do thrive.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.