Peace lilies are often believed to be rather simple to care for, but many houseplant owners do not realise that their watering method is harming the plant. It is common to water peace lilies by placing them in the sink and soaking the soil thoroughly, but this is actually the easiest way to damage them.
The gardening experts at The Little Botanical have warned that peace lilies are easily affected by the chemicals in tap water, so it is best to avoid using it if possible. They said: “Peace Lilies do not enjoy being over-watered, this will cause their leaves to droop, pale and turn yellow over time. They are also sensitive to fluoride, so filtered water is best.” Tap water contains fluoride, as well as chlorine, salts and hard minerals, which can build up in the soil over time. These chemicals will interfere with a peace lily’s ability to absorb nutrients and water, which can greatly weaken the plant.
Using tap water will not outright kill a peace lily, but constant use will cause it to not grow properly so you are more likely to get smaller buds or even no flowers at all.
Fluoride in particular can harm plant cells, and the biggest sign a peace lily has been damaged is brown or scorched edges around its leaves.
If a peace lily’s leaf tips continue wilting even if you are watering them regularly and they have the right amount of sunlight, then fluoride is likely the cause.
Filtered water is best for keeping peace lilies healthy, but not everyone has the time or budget to buy special water just for their houseplants.
Instead, an easy way to keep peace lilies watered is to let tap water sit out before using it on the plant to allow the chemicals to evaporate.
The expert said: “Tap water can be left to sit for a couple of days, which allows these harmful chemicals to dissipate.”
All you need to do is pour some tap water into a jug or bowl, then leave it somewhere safe for at least 24 hours, and then you can water your peace lily.
You can also put peace lilies in the garden on a rainy day or collect rainwater in a bucket, as the water will be completely clean with no added chemicals.
It can be fine to use tap water as long as you are flushing out the soil with clean, fluoride-free water at least once a month to stop it building up in the soil.
Taking the time to water peace lilies can be a hassle, but it will ensure you have a much stronger plant that will continue to grow healthy blooms.