With their forgiving nature and ability to live in most light conditions, peace lilies have long been seen as one of the easiest flowering houseplants to keep alive. Getting them to bloom isn’t as simple, however.
Peace lilies don’t require much maintenance. They can tolerate low light, don’t mind dry soil and often indicate when they need water by drooping their leaves. But, they won’t produce their signature white blooms unless you provide what they need to thrive.
To ensure your peace lily produces striking flowers this spring, you’ll need to make sure you get your watering method right.
Peace lilies like to stay slightly moist, but never soggy.
It is easy to overwater a plant, so before getting your watering can ready, you should first check whether or not it is actually ready for a drink.
To do this, poke your finger into the soil. If soil clings to your finger, but isn’t soaking wet, you can go ahead and give your plant a light watering.
You should repeat this process as needed to keep the soil from drying out too much.
Watering houseplants on demand rather than on a strict schedule is the best way to go, as every home is different, and fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels mean that watering frequency may need to go up or down every now and again.
For example, a peace lily in a warm, dry environment may need water every few days, while one in a colder, damper room will need less frequent top-ups.
The time of year will also affect how often you water your peace lily.
Like most houseplants, peace lilies tend to grow quicker in spring and summer, meaning they will need more water then than in autumn or winter.
But as long as you carry out the soil test before watering, your plant should stay healthy all year round.
You can either water your peace lily with a watering can, or from the bottom by placing the container into a bowl or sink filled with water and leaving it to absorb for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Rachel Cole, gardening expert at Mr Fothergill’s Seeds, also recommends using this method, explaining: “Water once or twice a week and make sure the water is absorbed from the base, rather than being poured directly onto the leaves.”
She said this helps prevent root rot while also allowing the plant to take in “just the right amount” of water.
Luckily, peace lilies tend to tolerate the top inch or two of soil drying out, so occasional missed waterings shouldn’t cause any lasting damage to your plant.
