How to Grow and Care for Peace Lilies Indoors
Growing peace lilies indoors is a good idea. In fact, peace lilies are a popular choice of indoor plants for homes and offices. The lilies look gorgeous and can help to enhance the overall look of the interiors. Above all, these houseplants are easy to care for. For as long as you provide it with proper growing conditions, you should be able to successfully grow the peace lilies indoors.
Steps for Growing Peace Lilies Indoors
So how do you grow peace lilies indoors? It should be easy. The steps involved are pretty basic. So even if you are new to indoor gardening, you won’t encounter any problems in growing this plant. Here are the steps:
1. Prepare The Pot with Soil
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First, get a pot to accommodate the peace lily plant. Avoid using a pot that’s too large. This can retain moisture in the soil and will cause the roots to rot. Use a potting soil that’s well-draining. Then pour just enough soil into the pot.
2. Plant the Seeds or Use a Cutting
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You can choose to grow the peace lilies from seeds. However, it will take longer for the seeds to germinate. Sometimes, it will take years before the plant will start to develop. So when it comes to growing peace lilies indoors, it is best to start with a peace lily plant cutting that has grown a root ball.
Dig a small hole in the soil enough for the plant’s root ball to fit. Place the plant into the planting hole then cover with soil. Fill in enough potting soil around the root ball. Then use your fingers to firm the potting soil gently.
3. Water the New Plant Lightly
Lightly water the plant in order to settle the soil. Add more potting soil if needed. Avoid overwatering the new plant. Peace lilies are the type of plant that cannot tolerate too much water. In fact, it can thrive even with less water but will die when overwatered.
4. Place the Potted Plant in a Shady Area
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Place your new peace lily plant in a shady area. The ideal area is about 6 – 8 feet away from the window. Leave it there for a couple of days. Make sure you check it from time to time. Do not worry if it will look a bit bedraggled during the first few days. It’s normal for the leaves to wilt slightly. They will look better after a few more days.
How to Care for Peace Lilies?
Peace lilies are among the easiest houseplants to grow since they require less care. However, you need to constantly check your plant and provide the necessary care that it needs especially on the first few days of planting. Here are some tips on how to care for peace lilies:
1. Avoid Direct Exposure to Sunlight
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Take note that peace lilies would prefer to grow in areas with light partial shade. In fact, they are known to thrive in rooms that have no windows. These plants don’t like to be exposed to too much light. Otherwise, its leaves will start to turn yellow and will eventually die.
2. Do Not Overwater
One of the most common problems that people make when growing peace lilies is overwatering. Peace lilies can’t survive too much moisture so you have to avoid giving it too much water.
So how often should you water the peace lily? An important peace lily plant care tip to keep in mind is to wait for the plant to droop slightly before you water it. Usually, the plant will sag a little bit if it needs water. That’s a sign that the plant is thirsty so it’s time to water it.
Generally, the peace lily plant needs to be watered once a week. This is to keep the soil moist, especially during summer. To water, gently spray the leaves with soft or distilled water. During winter, water the plant less often.
3. Grow In An Ideal Temperature Setting
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Peace lily plants are a popular choice for an indoor plant since they can thrive well in indoor temperatures. The ideal temperature is between 65 and 85°F and the climate should be humid. Peace lilies won’t be able to survive in temperature that’s less than 45°F. So make sure you place it in an area that’s far from your home air conditioning system.
4. Fertilize Occasionally
Unlike other houseplants, peace lilies are generally not heavy feeders. Therefore, you should only fertilize it occasionally. Fertilize after every six weeks or so to encourage growth. Use a well-balanced houseplant fertilizer.
5. Spray Insecticides When Necessary
Unlike other houseplants, the peace lily is generally immune to diseases, pests, and insects. Although it could occasionally get aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs, you should be able to easily keep these pests under control. Simply wipe the leaves when you notice these pests start to invade. If wiping the leaves won’t drive these pests away, then consider spraying with insecticidal soap.
6. Repot the Plant When Needed
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Peace lilies have the tendency to grow a lot of roots and will eventually crowd its pot. Knowing when to re-pot is an important aspect of your peace lily plant care. So when is the best time to repot your peace lily? If you notice that the roots are starting to grow into the pot’s drainage hole, then that’s a sign that it’s time to re-pot.
Peace Lily Plant FAQs
Q1: Can you Grow a Peace Lily from Seed?
A1: Yes, it is possible to grow peace lily from seeds. But as mentioned above, it’s going to take longer for the seeds to germinate and it requires more effort than growing the plant from cutting. When growing from seeds, simply place the seeds into the soil and sprinkle some vermiculite. This will help the seed to grow.
Q2: How long do Peace Lilies take to Grow?
A2: When grown from seeds, your peace lily seedlings will start to germinate after about 10 days. Sometimes, it could take significantly longer. This is why it’s not entirely recommended to grow the peace lily from seed. When grown from cuttings, the plant could start growing some roots after only a few days, for as long as you grow it in an ideal setting.
Q3: How often should you Water a Peace Lily?
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A3: Peace lilies will not thrive if you overwater it. The plant should be watered once a week only. Too much moisture on the soil could rot its roots, making it unable to grow. When watering, simply spritz some water into the plant. Use soft or distilled water. Avoid using water that’s heavily chlorinated because this plant is sensitive to chlorine.
Q4: Do Peace Lilies Bloom All Year?
A4: One of the peace lily benefits for indoor is that they have gorgeous off-white flowers. These flowers will go well with the interior décor of your home and can help to enhance the aesthetic value of your space. If all goes well, your peace lily will start to bloom during early summer. Then it will continue blooming all throughout the entire year.
Q5: When should I repot my Peace Lily?
A5: Knowing when to repot your peace lily is an important step of the peace lily indoor care. These plants tend to grow very fast and will eventually crowd their pot. The easiest way to know if the plant needs repotting is to slide it carefully from the pot and check the roots. If it has started to grow several roots, then it’s time for repotting.
Also, if you notice that the roots are growing through the pot’s drainage, then that’s a sign that it’s time to repot. Remember that if the roots have become tightly packed, the plant could stop growing since its roots can no longer absorb enough water.
Q6: What is the Peace Lily’s Symbolism?
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A6: People grow peace lilies indoors for various reasons. Others love the plant for its gorgeous blooms while some have chosen to grow the plant due to its symbolism. Traditionally, the white blooms of the peace lily signify purity and innocence. It also symbolizes the rebirth of the soul. Thus, in some cultures, people would give the peace lily plant to the family of a deceased person. The plant also represents sympathy or compassion.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, growing peace lilies indoors is so easy. Anyone should be able to grow this plant successfully. Unlike other plants, the peace lily does not need to be watered regularly. Furthermore, it can thrive well in shady conditions, so it’s perfect for the indoor setting. The plant is very resilient and is relatively immune to pests. So if you are thinking of growing a plant indoors, the peace lily is certainly a great choice.
