Peace lilies are a popular houseplant that require minimal maintenance and reward you with striking white blooms in the summer months. Like any houseplant, eventually a peace lily will outgrow its pot and need to be transplanted.
Knowing when it’s time to move the peace lily is important for keeping it healthy and happy.
The most significant sign that your peace lily needs a new home is when the roots become visible through drainage holes in the pot. You may also notice the leaves drooping significantly more than usual, even after watering.
This is a sign that the roots need more space to store moisture. Transplanting also gives you the opportunity to refresh the soil with a nutrient-rich soil blend and give the roots more room to grow.
When deciding to transplant your peace lily, try to find a pot that is two inches larger than the current one. Also make sure that the new pot has drainage holes so water can easily pass through. After transplanting the lily, you’ll need to give the soil a good soak with room temperature water to help settle the roots.
It’s best to transplant peace lilies in the spring when the plant is actively growing so it can adjust to its new home more easily.
Do peace lilies like to be moved?
Peace lilies, also known as Spathiphyllum, are tropical plants that originate from the rain forests of Central and South America. They are sensitive to changes and don’t generally like to be moved. Choosing the right spot for your peace lily is paramount for its health and growth.
Moving it frequently can cause the plant to go into shock and suffer from leaf yellowing, wilting, and even death if done too often.
Peace lilies like indirect light, high humidity, and warm temperatures. If you want to move your peace lily, it’s best to do so gradually, and to make sure you provide it with the same lighting and humidity conditions it had before.
You should never move it to complete and sudden darkness, or to direct sunlight, as it might suffer and even die.
Overall, peace lilies do not appreciate being moved, as they need time and consistency to adjust to new conditions. That said, if you’re looking to change the spot of your peace lily, make sure you move it gradually and make sure to keep the same basic conditions that help it thrive.
What is the potting soil for peace lily?
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp. ) grow best when planted in a loamy, well-drained potting soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. The best potting soil for peace lilies usually contains a good balance of organic matter to provide needed nutrients.
It should also be light and airy to provide needed aeration and drainage. A quality sphagnum peat moss-based potting soil is usually the best choice for peace lilies as it provides superior drainage and aeration.
A good brand of potting soil should contain composted hardwood bark, vermiculite, and composted sphagnum peat moss. It is also recommended to add a water-soluble fertilizer to the soil such ensure the plant receives all the nutrients it needs.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that there is proper drainage to prevent the peace lily’s root system from becoming waterlogged. An excellent drainage layer can be added to the bottom of the pot used for the peace lily to add extra aeration and drainage.
Should I cut the brown tips off my peace lily?
Yes, you should cut the brown tips off your peace lily. With regular maintenance, peace lilies can stay healthy and vibrant, and the brown tips are often a sign of dehydration or nutrient deficiencies in the soil.
To cut off the brown tips, use a pair of sterilized scissors or secateurs to snip away the affected leaves, just above where the stem meets the base of the leaf. Make sure to avoid cutting into the stem as this could encourage bacterial growth and make the plant more prone to disease.
After pruning, it is important to give your plant some extra love and ensure that you are providing it with the right amount of light, water, and nutrients. You may want to repot the plant into a larger vessel if it has outgrown its current one, or fertilize it to provide it with the necessary nutrients for growth.
Where should I place a peace lily in my house?
Peace lilies thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, so it’s best to place them in a spot that receives some natural light, though not full sun. Generally, this means placing the plant near an east or west-facing window, or in a bright room without direct sunlight.
If you only have south or north-facing windows, you’ll want to put your peace lily further away from the window in order to prevent it from getting scorched. The ideal temperature range for peace lilies is 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit, so try to avoid placing them near drafty windows or air vents. \.
It’s also important to make sure your peace lily isn’t directly exposed to humidity or excessively damp areas like the kitchen or bathroom; instead, it should be placed in an area of the room that is consistently dry.
Because peace lilies grow so fast and can become very large, make sure there’s plenty of room for the plant to grow and spread in its chosen area. When possible, you may want to choose a decorative pot that can hold extra soil and accommodate more roots, leaving more room for your peace lily to thrive.
How often should I water a peace lily?
Peace lilies should generally be watered once a week, or as soon as the top inch of soil becomes dry. During the warmer months of summer, you may need to water them more often, especially in bright, sunny areas.
When you water your peace lily, be sure to empty any excess water out of the drainage tray to avoid over-watering. To help you gauge the amount of water needed, be sure to remember that the more light the plant receives, the more frequently it will need to be watered.
As a general rule, it’s best to water in the morning and to avoid over-watering the plant; otherwise, this can lead to root rot and other issues.
Should you water a peace lily after repotting?
Yes, you should water your peace lily after repotting. This is necessary to ensure that the plant is able to settle into its new home. Water the soil until it is evenly moist and make sure that it doesn’t dry out in the coming days.
You can also add a slow-release fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer to the soil after you have watered it. This will give the peace lily an extra boost to help it settle into the new pot. And be sure to keep an eye on the soil as it dries out, as you’ll need to water it again once it’s dry.
How long does a peace lily last?
A peace lily typically has an average life of five to ten years in a home environment. However, the average can vary depending on the care the plant receives. The key factors to maintaining a peace lily’s life are proper watering, temperature, and fertilizer.
Peace lilies prefer consistently moist, but not wet, soil. The soil should be allowed to dry out before re-watering. It is best to water using a watering can or jug of room-temperature water until it flows through the soil and draining holes of the pot.
Peace lilies enjoy temperatures between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit and should be kept out of any cold drafts or intense heat. It is also important to keep them away from direct sunlight to avoid drying out the soil with too much light or heat.
Peace lilies do not require frequent fertilization, as too much fertilizer can damage the roots and blight the plant. Generally, fertilizing just once a year is enough. Make sure to use liquid fertilizer labeled as safe for use on houseplants and dilute the mixture to half strength.
By giving them proper and consistent care, your peace lily can last for years and years.
How do you make peace lily potting mix?
Making a potting mix for a peace lily is relatively easy and requires just a few basic ingredients.
First, mix together equal parts of loam and peat moss. Loam is a type of soil with a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, and helps to provide adequate drainage for the peace lily’s shallow roots. Peat moss also helps with drainage, but also provides some beneficial acidity for the plant.
Next, add about one-third of perlite or coarse sand to the mix. This helps with drainage and adds pores to the mix that allow for air circulation.
Finally, mix in an organic material such as aged sawdust or manure. This helps to provide the peace lily with some of the nourishment it needs to thrive.
Once the ingredients are mixed together, you’re ready to pot your peace lily. Fill the pot with the potting mix, leaving at least 2 inches of space at the top, and place your peace lily in the pot. Gently tap the pot on the ground to settle the soil.
Add a thin layer of mulch to the top, and water generously. With the right potting mix, you’ll have happy peace lily in no time!.
Is peat moss good for lilies?
Peat moss can be beneficial for lilies and other plants. Peat moss is composed of partially decomposed organic matter and is a great soil conditioner. It is rich in nutrients and has a low pH, which is beneficial for acid-loving plants, such as lilies.
Peat moss helps to retain moisture in the soil, reduces soil compaction, and provides aeration and drainage. It also helps absorb and retain excess mineral salts in the soil, which can be toxic to plants.
Adding peat moss to the soil can help improve the growth of lilies and other acid-loving plants.
Why won’t my peace lily grow flowers?
There could be a few different reasons why your peace lily isn’t producing flowers. First, it’s important to make sure that the plant has enough light and the type of light is correct. Peace lilies need bright, indirect sunlight, so if the plant is in direct sunlight or in a very dark area, it may be inhibiting the flower production.
Additionally, too much fertilizer or improper fertilization can prevent bloom production. Peace lilies need to be fertilized regularly, but too much fertilizer can create an environment that is toxic to the plant and inhibit flower production.
Finally, proper soil drainage is necessary for flower production. If the soil isn’t draining properly, the plant’s roots will become waterlogged and cause an environment that doesn’t promote flower growth.
Can peace lily grow without roots?
No, peace lily plants cannot grow without roots. Roots are an essential part of a plant’s survival, as they anchor it to the ground, absorb water and nutrients from the soil, and store energy reserves to help it survive and grow.
Without roots, the peace lily would not be able to take in the water and nutrients it needs to survive and thrive. A peace lily with no roots will quickly dry out and die. If the roots become damaged or diseased, the best course of action is to remove the damaged roots and repot the plant in fresh soil with healthy roots.
It is important to take care of the roots to ensure the peace lily plant is properly cared for.
Can peace lilies be rooted in water?
Yes, it is possible to root peace lilies in water. For cuttings, take the cutting at least 3-4 inches below the leaf node so it has enough room to root. Make sure you use clean shears or a knife, and to sanitize them with alcohol or soap and water.
Place the cutting in a glass or jar of clean, room temperature water. Place this in indirect light. Change the water every couple of days to keep it clean. Peace lilies will root in 4-6 weeks. Once the roots are about 1-2 inches long, you can pot them up in potting soil and keep them in a warm area with bright indirect light.
Make sure the soil is kept lightly moist and don’t let it dry out completely. Peace lilies are tropical plants and need more moisture than other plants.
How often should peace lilies be watered?
Peace lilies should be watered approximately once a week. Be sure to use distilled or purified water when watering your peace lily in order to avoid any buildup of fertilizers or other potential contaminants found in tap water.
Allow the soil to almost dry out before watering again. It is important not to over water a peace lily as this can cause root rot and other issues. If the peace lily is kept in a sunny room, it may need to be watered slightly more often.
If kept in a shaded room, you may cut back slightly on the frequency of watering. Wilting is usually a sign that the peace lily needs to be watered more frequently. In general, it is best to err on the side of caution and water slightly less than the recommended once a week.
Can you split a peace lily in half?
Yes, you can split a peace lily in half but it is not generally recommended. The best way to propagate a peace lily is through tissue culture or division. Though, if you would like to split a peace lily in half, you can do so by carefully separating the root ball and bulbs of the original plant.
Make sure that each new plant has several of the robust and healthy bulbs, along with some of the roots, to ensure successful regrowth. You should also water each plant immediately after separating. The root system of the peace lily is very sensitive and can quickly dry out, even during the process of dividing it.
Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that each new plant gets the same growing environment, such as access to indirect light, a consistent watering schedule, and proper fertilizer.
How do you split lilies?
Splitting lilies is a great way to propagate the beautiful flowers in your garden. The most common way to split a lily is to divide the underground stem, or rhizome. It is best to divide lilies in the spring, when the plants are just beginning to grow.
First, select a mature lily. Check for roots that have become overcrowded, which indicates it is time to divide the plant. Dig up the entire plant and shake off the soil from the roots. Look for the rhizome and cut through it with a sharp knife or spade.
Take care to ensure that each division contains at least a few healthy roots.
Once divided, replant the individual divisions at least 8” apart and about 8” deep. Backfill the soil over the divided lily and water the newly planted flower. Place a layer of mulch around the plant to reduce moisture loss from the soil.
With proper care, the divided lily will bloom in 2-3 weeks and you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful flowers.