Peace lilies and orchids, renowned for their stylish appearance and subtle scent, are among the most beloved houseplants. Peace lilies are known for their shiny foliage and graceful white blossoms, making them a favourite choice for those new to plant ownership. Their appeal is clear. Treasured for their elegant and exotic flowers, orchids have long symbolised wealth and mystery, combining strange beauty and surreal colours.
They’re both quite undemanding and content to thrive in various settings. However, owners should be aware of some key care tips to ensure their plants flourish. Sarah Hunt, seeking guidance, turned to the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group with her query.
She posted: “Hi everyone, does anyone know how to get my peace lily and orchid to flower?”
“They had lots of flowers when they were given to me about six months ago. They gradually died off, and they haven’t flowered since. Grateful for any help.”
Responses from group members mostly recommended maintaining regular watering, feeding, and providing an ample pot size.
Yet, one member proclaimed success in prompting flowering by mixing a particular pantry staple—something that might typically be discarded or composted—with the water.
Mary Ireland shared: “Mines in bloom all the time. I feed it banana skin water weekly, and I have flowers most of the year.”
This advice aligns with the recommendations from houseplant specialists at Lively Root. As a response to questions regarding banana water for peace lilies, they confirmed on their website: “Yes, flowering plants like peace lilies like banana water. This is because it’s rich in potassium, which helps the plant’s well-being.”
Banana water is akin to compost tea, but it’s derived solely from one ingredient – chopped banana skins.
The most typical method of creating banana water involves slicing banana peels into one or two-inch segments, popping these peel pieces into a bowl of water and letting them infuse for a couple of days.
Once they’ve had a good soak, sieve the liquid into a watering can or jar, then pour the strained solution around the base of your peace lilies and orchids, ensuring it reaches the roots.
But it’s not just peace lilies and orchids that thrive on banana peel water; hydrangeas and roses also reap the benefits.
