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In today’s post, we will look into some useful tips and tricks to increase flowering in Peace Lily plant – size as well as number of flowers, on your peace lily plant which is a very beautiful indoor ornamental plant. We will also show you simple ways of propagating peace lily plant and also some common mistakes to avoid while caring peace lily.
Introduction To Peace Lily
Peace lily also called Spathe or closet plants with botanical name as Spathiphyllum is a beautiful indoor air purifying plant recommended by the NASA. They are evergreen perennials with large shiny leaves and unique flowers which are produced in a spadix.
Healthy peace lilies not only enhance indoor aesthetics but also contribute to better air quality by removing harmful VOCs.
When it comes to indoor plants, peace lily plants are some of the easiest to care for. But, while peace lily plant care is easy, proper growing conditions are still important. Let’s take a look at some useful tips on how to grow and care for peace lilies and how to get large sized flowers and lush green leaves in peace lilies.
Indirect Light Requirement For Peace Lily
Peace lily prefers medium to low light – that’s indirect light and can be kept in shady places and even indoors in brighter spots. However, too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can inhibit blooming. But Peace lilies that are kept in more light tend to produce more and healthy flowers, whereas in low light conditions, it might bloom less and will just look more like a traditional foliage plant. So keeping this mind, you can keep indoors at a spot which receives adequate indirect bright light. One simple tip to get more flowers in peace lily is to keep it in a spot which receives 2 to 3 hours of direct early-morning sunlight, avoiding the harsh midday rays.
Watering Requirement For Peace Lily To Prevent Brown Leaf Tips
This factor is really important for peace lily care, as maintaining consistently moist soil is crucial for their health. The most common mistake gardeners tend to do is overwater the peace lily. Peace lilies are far more tolerant of under-watering than over-watering, which is one of the most common reasons for a peace lily plant to die. So what you can do is: first check the soil for moisture once in two to three days using the finger-dip method. If the soil is still damp, never water it now, check again after 1 or 2 days and then water the container. This depends on the climate of the zone you live in. Generally daily watering is not recommended for peace lilies in any climate. Allowing the top layers of soil to dry out partially between watering sessions can help prevent issues like root rot and brown leaf tips.
Another tip on Watering: Some people tend to wait until their peace lily is starting to droop down due to stress, before watering their plant. As these plants are very drought tolerant, this method actually does not harm the plant and will actually prevent over-watering. Over-fertilization and exposure to harmful chemicals can also cause brown leaf tips, so it’s important to use filtered water and avoid direct sunlight.
Soil Potting Mix For Peace Lily To Prevent Root Rot
The potting mix or soil you plant peace lilies has to be a well-draining soil with at least a couple of drainage holes at the bottom of the container. Using well-draining soil is essential to prevent root rot, which can occur due to overwatering and poor drainage. If you bring your plant from a nursery and you find it’s planted in a clay rich soil, please remove the clay rich soil by soaking the root ball in a tub of water which dissolves the clay rich soil in few minutes. Then repot the plant into a larger container with a well-draining soil. Simplest recipe for making a well-draining potting mix is using 50% garden soil and 50% cocopeat or peat-moss. You can also optionally add some 20% compost like decomposed cow-dung or even vermicompost.
- Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix feeds houseplants for up to 6 months and is designed to be less prone to gnats (contains no compost or bark, which are known to shelter fungus gnats)
- This potting mix contains coconut coir, which holds and releases water and helps soil re-wet
Fertilizer Requirement for Peace Lily
If you are an organic gardener, using decomposed cow-dung, horsedung or even goat dung once every month is generally sufficient to produce flowers and get some big sized healthy leaves on your peace lily plant. If you are using chemical fertilizers, You can use the general NPK 20,20, 20 fertilizer – like about 5 – 6 crystals per plant once in a month. Improper fertilizer application can lead to an increase in green flowers, which, while natural, can be removed to encourage new growth. One tip to get big sized flowers and leaves is to add Bone-meal powder or organic rock phosphate powder, while repotting the plant or while making the potting mix. This will ensure the plant roots are healthier and stronger which in turn produces shiny lush large sized leaves and large sized flowers in the long run.
Propagation of Peace Lily
You can be grow peace lily from seeds bought from a garden store, but its not recommended. Best way is to get one healthy plant from a nursery or garden store and plant it in a wider and larger container. Then after a few months, you can propagate it by dividing the root ball and you get at least 4 to 5 independent plants from one single mother plant.
Peace Lily Pests
Occasionally sucking pests like aphids, whiteflies and mealy bugs can affect the peace lilies. You can use neem oil sprays once in a while to prevent these pests. Common problem in damp conditions is the fungal infestation of the leaves and flowers which can turn them patchy brown. In such cases, you can use my organic pesticide recipe containing baking soda and other ingredients.
- #1 BEST PURE NEEM OIL FOR PLANTS: Zuprime Neem Oil concentrate is your go-to neem oil spray for indoor ornamental plants as well as neem oil spray for outdoor ornamental plants. It’s made with 100% cold pressed high quality organic neem oil your plants need for a shiny glow.
- 100% COLD PRESSED NEEM OIL: Unlike other neem oil spray for plants that include mixtures & vegetable oils in their concentrates, this 100% pure neem oil comes directly from the Indian neem plant and is 100% cold-pressed from the neem nut.
Promote Photosynthesis To Increase Flowering In Peace Lily
One last bonus tip to get a healthy peace lily plant that grows well and keeps producing flowers is to promote proper photosynthesis. Keeping its leaves clean of any dust will promote better photosynthesis. Clean the leaves once in a while, by spraying water and mopping the leaves with a piece of soft cloth.
Peace Lily Plant Problems: Troubleshooting and Fixes
Yellowing Leaves
Q: Why are the sides of the leaves on my peace lily yellow?
A: If the leaves on your peace lily are turning yellow and/or the edges of the leaves are yellow, it is likely caused by wet conditions.
– Too much water: Let the soil dry out.
– Nutrient deficiency: Consider using a balanced 10-10-10 water-soluble fertilizer every 6-8 weeks throughout the growing season.
– Too much direct sunlight: Move the plant to a location with bright, indirect sunlight.
Note: When older, lower leaves turn yellow, it does not mean that the plant has a problem. It is natural for a plant to change color as part of normal growth.
Fix: Reduce watering, provide proper light, and adjust as needed.
Brown Leaf Ends
Q: Why are the ends of all the leaves of my peace lily turning brown?
A: The ends of the peace lily leaves can turn brown due to several reasons:
– Low humidity: Peace lilies prefer high humidity. Try placing a moistened pebble tray under the plant to increase humidity or use a home humidifier.
– Chlorine or fluoride in water: Use bottled water or allow tap water to stand overnight before using it to water your plants.
– Too much salt: Reduce the use of fertilizer, and flush the pot with water to dilute accumulated salts.
Fix: Increase humidity, use non-chlorinated water, and adjust fertilizer usage.
Lack of Flowers
Q: Why is my peace lily not producing flowers?
A: Causes for peace lilies not blooming include:
– Light: Too much direct sunlight or insufficient light.
– Nutrient deficiency: Lack of necessary nutrients.
– Young plant: Younger plants may not bloom as readily.
Fix: Move your peace lily to a location with bright, indirect light and consider fertilizing regularly.
Drooping Leaves
Q: My peace lily has drooping leaves. What is happening?
A: Drooping leaves can indicate:
– Underwatering: Peace lilies droop when they are thirsty.
– Overwatering: Consistently soggy soil can cause root rot and drooping.
– Temperature stress: Peace lilies prefer warm temperatures and can droop if it’s too cold or too hot.
Fix: If the soil is dry, water the plant thoroughly. If the plant is overwatered, let the soil dry and repot it. Maintain a temperature between 65°F and 80°F.
Brown Spots on Leaves
Q: There are brown spots on my peace lily’s leaves. What is causing this?
A: Brown spots can be caused by:
– Fungal diseases: Often due to overwatering and poor air circulation.
– Sunburn: Leaves can get burned by direct sunlight.
– Pest damage: Check for insects such as spider mites or mealybugs.
Fix: Improve air circulation, treat for pests, and move the plant out of direct sunlight. Avoid exposing wet leaves to sunlight and consider using neem oil.
Curling Leaves
Q: My peace lily’s leaves are curling. What does it mean?
A: Curling leaves can indicate:
– Underwatering: The plant curls its leaves to conserve water.
– Low humidity: Indoor air may be too dry.
– Pest infestation: Check for pests and treat with neem oil if necessary.
Fix: Adjust watering, increase humidity, and check for pests.
Black Stems
Q: The stems of my peace lily are turning black. Is this supposed to be happening?
A: Black stems are usually a sign of:
– Root rot: Caused by soggy soil.
– Fungal infection: Often associated with overwatering.
Fix: Check the roots. If they are damaged, repot the plant in better-draining soil and ensure the pot has a drainage hole.
Slow Growth
Q: My peace lily’s growth seems to be very slow. What could be the cause?
A: Slow growth can be due to:
– Light: Insufficient bright, indirect light.
– Nutrient deficiency: Lack of necessary nutrients.
– Pot-bound roots: The plant may have outgrown its pot.
– Seasonal changes: Growth slows in fall and winter.
Fix: Adjust lighting, add fertilizers, check roots, and repot if needed.
White Powder on Leaves
Q: There’s a white powdery substance on the back of my peace lily’s leaves. What is that?
A: This is likely powdery mildew, a fungal infection that thrives in high humidity and poor air circulation.
Fix: Improve air circulation, slightly lower humidity, and use a fungicide. Remove badly affected leaves and avoid overhead watering.
Toxicity to Pets
Q: Can peace lilies be toxic to pets?
A: Yes, peace lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets.
Fix: Keep the plant away from pets. If ingestion occurs, contact a veterinarian immediately.
Repotting
Q: How often should I repot my peace lily?
A: Repotting is recommended every one to two years, or sooner if the plant becomes pot-bound.
Fix: Repot during the spring using a pot that is one to two inches larger than the previous one. Ensure the pot has good drainage and is suitable for tropical plants.
Video Tutorial on Peace Lily Care
Please Watch this Detailed Video on Peace Lily Care Below:
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
