When it comes to indoor plants, peace lilies are definitely a crowd favorite. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also easy to care for and have some impressive air-cleaning abilities. In this article, we will be discussing how to care for a peace lily plant indoors so that you can enjoy the benefits of having this stunning plant in your home.
Spathiphyllum, Peace Lilies
It could be due to a few things. Water the plant only when the top inch or so of soil is dry. Add water just until it starts to drain out of the bottom of the pot. Do not let the plant sit in the drained water for longer than an hour or two. I use distilled water on my house plants to help prevent brown leaf tips. These plants should not have direct sunlight, a place near a window where it gets indirect light, it doesn’t even necessarily have to be bright. Make sure the pot it is in is no larger than a couple of inches bigger around the root ball of the plant. Here is some additional info:
There are very few plants that really do well in a low light situation and this is the best of them. Spathiphyllum is commonly used in homes, offices, and shopping malls because they are so easy to grow and will adapt to a wide variety of conditions. They are also one of the few low-light plants to bloom reliably. Spathiphyllum is also called peace lilies, named for the creamy white spathes that look very much like a calla lily. Botanically, a spathe is a bract (modified leaf) enclosing a flower cluster or spadix (fleshy spike). The elegant white spathes on peace lilies are referred to as their flowers.
Spathiphyllum is a clump-growing tropical plant with many stems emerging from the soil. The different varieties may vary in the size of the leaves and the overall size of the plant. A new compact version has become very popular in the past few years. Their foliage is always glossy, green, long, and narrow. Different varieties now offer darker greens or narrower leaves and some also bloom more than others.
To select a good, healthy spathiphyllum, look for a plant that fills out the pot. It should have new foliage emerging within the mature leaves. If you are buying the plant for the blooms, be sure to select a specimen that has at least one flower open because they do vary greatly in size and color.
How to Care for a Peace Lily Plant Indoors
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance houseplant that’s easy to care for, look no further than the peace lily. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it also helps purify the air in your home. Here’s everything you need to know to care for a peace lily plant indoors:
Choosing the Right Pot
When selecting a pot for your peace lily, choose one that’s slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. It’s important that the pot has good drainage holes at the bottom to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged.
Soil
Peace lilies prefer well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. You can buy a pre-made potting mix or make your own by combining equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
Watering
Peace lilies like to be kept moist, but not soggy. Water your plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Be sure to water thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain out the bottom of the pot.
Light
Peace lilies prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, while too little light can prevent them from blooming. Place your plant near a window that receives bright, filtered light, but avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
Temperature and Humidity
Peace lilies prefer temperatures between 60-85°F (15-29°C). They also like high humidity, so consider using a humidifier or placing a tray of water near your plant to help increase the humidity.
Fertilizer
Peace lilies don’t require a lot of fertilizer, but you can give them a boost by fertilizing them once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and dilute it to half-strength.
Pruning
Pruning your peace lily is important to keep it looking its best. Remove any yellow or brown leaves as soon as you notice them, as they won’t recover. You can also trim back any leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.
Propagation
If you want to propagate your peace lily, you can do so by dividing the plant at the roots during repotting. Each new division should have a healthy root system and a few leaves.
Troubleshooting
If your peace lily’s leaves are turning yellow, it’s a sign that it’s getting too much water or not enough light. If the leaves are drooping, it’s a sign that the plant is either getting too much or too little water. Adjust your watering routine accordingly.
Troubleshooting Problems with Spathiphyllum (Peace Lilies)
Why won’t my spathiphyllum bloom?
The most common reason a peace lily doesn’t bloom is a combination of too little light and too little humidity. Sometimes very mature plants don’t bloom well. Try increasing light, humidity, houseplants fertilizer, and dividing if it is severely root-bound.
What caused spots on the Blooms?
Sprays, especially leaf shine or insecticides, will spot the blooms.
If the whole plant looks wilted, what is the problem?
Too much or too little water will cause wilting. So will temperatures that are too cool.
What makes the leaves look dull?
When a path is kept too cool (below 60º), it tends to get a dull look to the foliage. Extended periods of too much cold will lead to problems with stem rot.
What causes brown tips or edges on leaves?
Most brown tips are caused either by low humidity or a build-up of salt in the soil from fertilizers and alkaline tap water.
Why do some stems seem too weak?
This can be caused by drought or high temperatures. Spaths can stand higher temperatures if they are kept moist and the humidity is high.
If some of the leaves are yellow, what is the cause?
Yellowing, especially on inner leaves, usually indicates that the plant is being kept too wet. Too much sun might also result in a few yellow leaves, but they will usually be outer leaves.
Are there insect problems with spathiphyllum?
Watch for the occasional outbreak of aphids on the young succulent growth. If the humidity is low and the temps are high, they may have problems with spider mites too.
Are they prone to any disease problems?
Except for root or stem rot from too much water, spathiphyllum rarely has a disease problem.
Conclusion
Caring for a peace lily plant indoors is relatively easy as long as you follow these simple guidelines. By providing your plant with the right pot, soil, water, light, temperature, and humidity, you can enjoy its beautiful foliage and blooms for years to come. So why not add a peace lily to your indoor garden today?
