The peace lily has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful and commonly grown houseplants across the globe. The reason why so many people like to keep the peace lily in their house is because the plant is incredibly beautiful, and it is also easy to grow.
Before we talk about how to keep the peace lily alive, it is important to understand that the peace lily is an evergreen, tropical plant. It is generally found on the forest floor, and because of its positioning, the plant receives partial sunlight.
However, the moisture conditions remain really high because the plant is consistently exposed to water on the ground.
Therefore, if you want to bring a peace lily into your house and want to make sure that it survives, you have to make sure that these conditions are replicated. With an appropriate amount of light, the peace lilies are going to begin producing flowers in the early months of the summer, and they are generally white or off-white.
The blooming is going to continue throughout the course of the year. Many of the household varieties of the peace lily tend to grow up to 16 inches in height, whereas the larger cultivars that are designed for outdoor use can reach a height of up to six feet.
The peace lily is not a plant that is suited for cold conditions, so it should only be grown outdoors in humid and warm climates.
Is the Plant Poisonous?
One of the things that you should know about the peace lily is that the plant is slightly poisonous. Almost all parts of the peace lily contain calcium oxalate, which is a substance that can irritate your stomach and respiratory functions if it is consumed in large amounts.
You have to make sure that the peace lilies are kept out of the reach of pets and small children, so if you are bringing the plant into your house, this is something that you have to care for.
To keep the peace lily alive and make sure that it lasts longer, there are several things that you can do. Here is a brief guide to plant and care for a peace lily.
Planting the Peace Lily
Ideally, you will want to choose well-draining potting soil. All-purpose potting soil is generally available, and it is best if you repot the plant annually in the spring.
This is important as it is going to keep the plant refreshed. There is going to come a time when the plant is going to become too big for its pot.
Therefore, you should remove the plant and then split it into smaller plants. You should also leave several leaves in each clump. As mentioned, the peace lily grows from its rhizomes, so you can give it a bit of rough treatment during the transplantation.
You should know that peace lilies can grow in water alone. The peace lily is sold in vases without the use of any soil, but you need to make sure that the base of the plant is kept above the water line.
This will make it easy for the roots to grow in the water.
Caring for a Peace Lily
One of the things that you should know about the peace lily is that it requires a considerable amount of water. You have to make sure that the soil remains moist, though overwatering is detrimental to the growth of the plant.
The peace lily is capable of tolerating smaller periods of dry soil, but anything more and the plant is going to suffer.
You will notice the leaves turning brown if you neglect the procedure for too long. More importantly, you should know that using tap water might not be a wise idea.
The peace lily is incredibly sensitive to common chemicals that are found in tap water, such as fluoride. These will lead to browning of the leaf tips.
Instead of that, you should use filtered water that is kept at room temperature. You can also give normal drinking water or mineral water to the plant.
By now, you already know that high humidity is incredibly important for the peace lily. If you live in a dry area where the humidity is low, you will have to make arrangements.
Keeping a tray full of water and pebbles near the peace lily is a wise move. The water is going to evaporate, and that is going to increase the humidity.
Similarly, you can also mist the leaves on a daily basis, or you can use an electric humidifier with the peace lily to increase the humidity of the region.
When it comes to fertilizing the plant, you should know that the peace lily is not exactly a heavy feeder. The plant only needs to be fertilized on an occasional basis.
To encourage growth during the spring and the summer months, you have to make sure that you fertilize the plant at least once every six weeks.
Any balanced houseplant fertilizer will do well, but you have to begin in the late winter to make sure that the plant blooms on time. Temperature is also a major requirement for the peace lily’s survival.
This is a tropical plant, so temperatures that are lower than 60°F will not be tolerated. It’s best to keep the plant away from the cold and drafty windows.
You should know that the plant thrives at temperatures above the 70°F mark. During the afternoon, when the sun is at its peak, you have to keep the plant away from direct sunlight.
However, it’s best to leave it in a well-lit area. The plant must receive dappled sunlight, and direct exposure to the morning sun is all that it needs.
Preventing Diseases and Pests
Pests and diseases can cause serious harm to your plant and could lead it to a premature death. You have to make sure that you observe the plant on a regular basis and adjust your strategy accordingly.
If there are brown leaf tips on the plant, you should know that it’s probably caused due to an excessive amount of light, or the overapplication of fertilizer.
You might want to increase the humidity, and it will also be a wise idea to cut down on the use of fertilizer.
If the leaves are yellow, it’s probably due to old age, or due to an imbalance in the plant’s water requirements. Take care not to add too much water, as that could be harmful to the plant as well.
Pests such as mealybugs and scale can cause irreversible damage, so you have to make sure that they do not take over the plant. You should wipe the leaves down with insecticidal soap or soapy water, as that could be quite effective in preventing these mealybugs or other insects.
These are just a few things that you should know about preventing diseases and pests, and providing a suitable environment for the plant to thrive in. If you take these steps, you don’t have to worry about your plant dying anytime soon as they can last for years!
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.