Tips for Nurturing a Peace Lily: Horticulturist Reveals Plant May Signal Distress
The peace lily, scientifically known as Spathiphyllum wallisii, is a popular choice for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. This mood-boosting plant can thrive in your home with the right care.
Caring for Your Peace Lily
A healthy peace lily usually does a good job at resisting disease, but a stressed plant can be more susceptible to attack from fungal or bacterial pathogens. To prevent overwatering, which is one of the common causes of stress, water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Using a "soak and dry" method—watering thoroughly and then allowing the soil to dry out before watering again—is recommended. Typical watering frequency is about once per week, but should be adjusted based on season and the plant's needs.
Checking soil moisture regularly is essential. Peace lilies will often show signs like drooping leaves when they need water, allowing you to water only when necessary. Using well-draining potting soil can also help excess water escape and prevent soggy conditions. If overwatering occurs, allow the soil to dry completely before watering again, prune any damaged leaves, and consider repotting in fresh, well-draining soil to aid recovery.
Lighting Requirements
The peace lily prefers bright light but can tolerate lower-light spots, and needs medium to bright light to bloom well. It's essential to find a spot with plenty of light for your peace lily to grow and thrive.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing the peace lily in spring and summer with a general-purpose fertilizer like Jack's Classic 20-20-20 All Purpose Water-Soluble Fertilizer can help keep it lush and healthy.
Purchasing a Peace Lily
You can find peace lilies for purchase at various prices. For instance, the Costa Farms Peace Lily from Amazon is priced at $19.99, while the peace lily plant from Fast Growing Trees is $55.95 for a 6-inch size. Another peace lily plant is available for $36.12, but the size and brand are not specified.
Growth and Maintenance
Peace lilies have average growth rates. Repotting the peace lily every year or two as roots start to fill about 75% of the pot can aid its growth and decrease stress. However, peace lilies can grow up to 6 feet tall and are versatile as a floor or a tabletop plant.
Like any houseplant, peace lilies can be susceptible to common pests like spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and other insects. Avoid exposing the peace lily to drafts, as it can cause leaf yellowing or browning.
Troubleshooting
Overwatering a peace lily can cause its leaves to go limp, yellow, and brown, and the plant may eventually become soft and mushy before it dies. If this happens, follow the tips mentioned earlier to help your peace lily recover.
In conclusion, with the right care and attention, your peace lily can be a beautiful and thriving addition to your home.
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