Overview
Peace Lily is one of my favourite houseplants.you can grow them in your house at any place you want,but make sure they receive bright but indirect sunlight for a few hours daily. They are very beautiful and eye-catching houseplants with dark green leaves and white and yellow flowers, called swathes.
They are scientifically known as spathiphyllum and belong to central and south America. One important point to note that they are not true lilies but are part of Araceae family, which also includes popular plants like elephant ears, caladium, and anthuriums.They are also admired and cultivated for their air purification qualities. They filter out harmful toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia and make indoors environment fresh.
Is peace lily toxic to cats and dogs?
They are just mildy toxic to cats and dogs.Beacuse, they contain a toxic compound called calcium oxalate, which can cause problems related to the respiratory system if ingested in large quantity. It is advised to keep them out of reach of children and pets.There are some other plants that also contain calcium oxalate, including daffodils and hyacinths. Also,keep these plants out of reach.
Peace Lily Care
Peace lilies are very easy to grow and look after once established. They do not demand much attention and care. They are low maintaining plants and can live for decades if cared properly. They demand very little to thrive .Let’s find out their little demands, which must be fulfilled in order to make them happy.
Sunlight Requirements
Like all other house plants,this plant also does not love direct sunlight .It grows well in a bright, indirect sunlight. They need a few hours of indirect and dappled sunlight. It is recommended to keep them in the East and West facing window to fulfil their lights’ demands.Avoid placing them in direct sunlight as this can damage the entire plant.
Soil Requirements
Soil should be well-draining. Sandy and loamy soil are ideal for these plants as these soil drain water well.Also,avoid heavy clay soils as they retain moisture. A lot of moisture can lead to root rot, ultimately resulting in plant death.
Water Requirements
They like in slightly moist soil to thrive. Like other houseplants, they also do not demand much water. Watering them once a week should be sufficient. Water them when the top inches of the soil feels dry to touch. They are sensitive to root rot and can easily be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.They are also sensitive to chlorine, mostly found in tap water. So,it is recommended to use distilled or filter water free from chlorine.
Fertilizer Requirements
They are not heavy feeders. Indirect sunlight and timely watering are sufficient for them to grow.But if you think your soil is poor and needs nutrients, choose a house plant fertilize with 10-10-10 ratio diluted to half strength.Be cautious of over-fertilizing as this can damage the plant.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements
They love warm weather to thrive. They can thrive in average home temperature but do best in temperature between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They are sensitive to cold conditions,so prevent them from harsh cold weather. You can also bring them outside in warm weather, but make sure to place them in a shady area to protect their leaves and flowers from damaging.
They thrive in high humidity levels ranging from 60-70. Misting is the ideal option to increase humidity. You should mist their leaves every 2 to 3 days .Another option is to place them in hight humid places in your house like chicken and bathroom.
Potting and Reporting Peace Lillies
They are grown in containers as houseplants. They love to be root bound,so there is no need to repot them frequently. You should repot them 1 to 2 years or when you see roots coming out of the holes at the bottom of the pot.The ideal to repot them in late winter to early spring. When repotting,choose 2 inch wider in diameter pot than the previous one. The pot should have holes at the bottom for drainage purposes.The pot should not be too large as the plant will be more focused on developing roots rather than flowers.
How to propagate peace lily
Division is the best method to propagate peace lillies.You can propagate them every 5 years or at the time of repotting. Simply divide the plant into sessions and replant them into the individual pot.Make sure the clump has two or more leaves and attached roots.Replant them in well-draining soil and water well after planting. Place the pot in warm with bright, indirect sunlight.
Types of Peace Lilies
There are many types of peace lilies, but the most commonly cultivated varieties are
- (1):White stripe Lilies
- (2):Muona Lao Peace Lillies
- (3):Wallis Peace Lillies
- (4):Picasso peace Lilies
Common Peace Lillies Problems
There are three common problems that peace lily often faces, including browning tips and curling and yellowing leaving.
Curling and Yellowing Leaves
Curling and yellowing leaves are often caused by underwatering. When you neglect these beauties, they start dying. They need a balanced amount of water for nourishment. They need water when they become partially dry.
Browning Leaf Tips
There can be many reasons for browning leaf tips.It might be due to underwatering, exposure to extreme cold temperature, and over-fertilization.They love and thrive in warm temperature. Avoid exposing them to colder temperatures. They are not heavy feeders,so only fertilize them when your plant is not blooming well.
Common Pets and Plant Diseases
They are most not affected by any pets and diseases. But occasionally,they might be affected by scales and mealybugs.These tiny insects can be very disastrous if left unchecked. You should pay attention to your plant and take action at the time.Insecticidal soap may be the best option to prevent them.