After a long day of work in the garden, a cold beer may help you feel better and quench your thirst. But is beer good for plants? The idea of using beer on plants has been around for a while, maybe even as long as beer itself. The question is, can beer make plants grow or is it just an old wives tale?.
As a proud peace lily owner, you likely know that these easy-going plants thrive with minimal care Their broad, glossy leaves and elegant white blooms brighten up any indoor space. While peace lilies aren’t too needy, giving them an occasional beer treat can take their growth and flowering to the next level!
In this complete guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about using beer as a supplement for your peace lily, from the benefits to the best application techniques. I’ll also cover some other key care tips for keeping your plant healthy and happy. Let’s get started!
Why Beer is Beneficial for Peace Lilies
You may be wondering how exactly beer helps peace lilies. Here are some of the main benefits:
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Promotes lush, vibrant foliage: The sugars, proteins, and vitamins in beer act as a fertilizer for peace lily leaves. The small dose gives them a nourishing boost, resulting in glossier and richer colored leaves.
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Encourages bigger, longer-lasting blooms Beer contains phosphorus, which helps peace lilies produce large, abundant flowers. The blooms may also last longer than usual after a beer feeding.
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Increases root growth: The yeasts and sugars in beer stimulate stronger, healthier root development. A robust root system allows your plant to take in more nutrients and moisture.
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Adds beneficial microbes to the soil: Beer introduces yeast and bacteria that help keep the soil microbiome in balance. These microorganisms help with nutrient availability and preventing disease.
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Provides a gentle feed: Compared to chemical fertilizers, beer offers a milder way to give your peace lily some extra nutrition. It’s less likely to cause fertilizer burn.
Now that you know why beer is good for peace lilies, let’s go over the best application techniques.
Choosing the Right Beer for Your Plant
You can’t just pour any old beer on your peace lily and expect great results! Some types of beer work better than others as an occasional treat. Here are some tips for picking the best beer for your plant:
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Go for lagers or ales: These beer styles have the right balance of nutrients from the malts and yeast. Avoid heavy or bitter beer like porters, stouts, and IPAs.
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Pick a classic pilsner: Pilsners offer a solid nutrition profile without too much bitterness. Classic brands like Miller Lite, Coors Banquet, or Budweiser are great choices.
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Select lighter beers: Look for lagers or golden/blonde ales with a lighter color. Darker beers can stain leaves and soil. Stick to beers with 4-5% alcohol at the most.
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Avoid flavored beers: Stay away from fruity, spiced, or flavored beers. The extra ingredients may not benefit your plant and could cause buildup in the soil. Plain beer works best!
Now let’s go over how much and how often to feed your peace lily beer.
Feeding Your Plant the Right Amount
When using beer as an occasional supplement for your peace lily, moderation is key. Here are some tips on dosage and frequency:
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Use a ratio of 1:4 beer to water. For example, mix 1/4 cup beer with 1 cup water. This dilutes the beer enough to avoid overfeeding.
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Feed every 2-3 months. Aim to fertilize with beer a couple times per year for the best results. More frequent feeding can lead to excess salt buildup over time.
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Pour the diluted beer onto moist soil. The soil should be watered first before adding the beer mixture. This helps the roots absorb the nutrients.
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Use 1-2 tbsp of beer mix per foot of plant height. Add more diluted beer for larger plants and less for smaller ones. Err on the low side until you see how your plant responds.
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Avoid foliar feeding. Spraying the beer mixture directly on the leaves can damage them. Always pour onto the soil.
The ideal amount can vary based on factors like your plant’s size, time of year, and soil composition. Monitor your peace lily after the first beer feeding to look for signs of overfeeding like leaf burn. Adjust the dose as needed for your particular plant.
Step-By-Step Guide to Feeding With Beer
Ready to give your peace lily an enriching beer snack? Follow these simple steps:
1. Choose a Suitable Beer
Select a light lager or ale without too much bitterness or alcohol. Stay away from flavored or heavily malted beers.
2. Dilute the Beer with Water
Mix 1 part beer with 3 parts water in a watering can or pitcher. This reduces the strength for your plant.
3. Water the Soil First
Moisten the soil before adding the beer mixture. Dry soil won’t absorb the nutrients as effectively.
4. Slowly Pour the Diluted Beer to the Soil
Gently water your peace lily with the beer dilution, pouring directly on the soil near the base of the plant.
5. Rinse the Leaves
Use clean water to gently rinse any beer residue from the leaves to avoid damage.
6. Resume Normal Care
Let the soil dry out partially between waterings as usual. Discard any unused beer dilution.
That’s all it takes to give your plant a healthy beer snack! Just be sure not to overdo it – every 2-3 months is plenty.
Providing Proper General Care
While an occasional beer feeding can boost your peace lily, providing consistent proper care is still crucial for your plant’s health. Here are some key care tips:
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Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry. Peace lilies prefer moist (but not soggy) soil.
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Use room temperature filtered or distilled water. Try to avoid fluoride and chlorine from tap water.
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Keep in medium to bright indirect light. Some morning sun is ok, but avoid prolonged direct sunlight.
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Maintain indoor temperatures of 65-80°F. Cooler temps can slow growth and warmer may cause drooping.
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Increase humidity if air is dry. Use a pebble tray or humidifier to keep humidity above 40%.
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Repot when rootbound into a slightly larger pot. Use a well-draining potting mix amended with perlite or bark.
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Remove spent flowers and yellow leaves to encourage new growth. Prune with sterilized shears to prevent disease spread.
By caring for your peace lily’s basic needs in addition to the occasional beer snack, you’ll have a thriving, beautiful plant for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
If this is your first time using beer on your peace lily, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some common FAQs:
What type of beer is best?
Classic pilsners or light lagers work well. Avoid bitter, heavy, or flavored beers.
How often should I feed with beer?
Every 2-3 months is ideal. Too frequent feeding can burn the roots.
How much beer should I use per watering can?
Mix a 1:4 ratio of beer to water, and use 1-2 tbsp of the dilution per foot of plant height.
Is it ok to spray beer directly on the leaves?
No, foliar feeding with beer can damage the leaves. Always apply it to the soil.
How soon after feeding with beer should I water again normally?
Wait until the top inch of soil is dry, usually in about 1-2 weeks depending on conditions.
What signs indicate overfeeding with the beer?
Leaf burn, yellowing or browning leaves point to too much beer. Dilute more or use less next time.
Can I use beer as my peace lily’s only fertilizer?
No, beer should only supplement your regular diluted liquid fertilizer every 1-2 months.
What precautions should I take when feeding with beer?
Avoid getting it on the leaves, start with diluted ratios, and rinse off any residues after watering.
Cheers to Happy Peace Lilies!
Adding an occasional splash of beer to your watering can is an easy way to give your peace lily some extra nutrition and encourage lush growth. Just be sure to use the right beer in moderation. Combined with proper general care, your plant will thrive with this bubbly boost. Grab a classic pilsner and drink a toast to your plant’s good health!
Final Thoughts on Watering Plants with Beer
In the end, we decide that putting beer on plants is really pointless, expensive, and maybe even really stinky. While you’re looking for something to do with old beer, slugs will happily crawl into a bowl of it and drown.
Beer Plant Food, Anyone?
Beer has two things in it that make people think that watering plants with beer plant food might be good for the garden: yeast and carbohydrates. Additionally, beer is mostly water, so it makes sense that watering your plants with beer would be a good idea since they need water.
However, using beer to water plants could get pricey, even if you’re not using an expensive import or microbrew. The best and cheapest way to water plants is still plain old water, but a shot of club soda is said to speed up plant growth.
I read on the Internet that to use beer on the lawn, you should mix baby shampoo, ammonia, beer, and corn syrup in a 20-gallon hose end sprayer. The ammonia is a source of nitrogen, the beer and corn syrup are fertilizer, and the shampoo is supposed to be a surfactant that makes the hair less water-repellent.
For a group of big frat boys looking for something to do with the empty keg on the porch, this sounds like a good project. The carbohydrates in beer are known as simple sugars. These carbs aren’t better for plants than they are for people, as anyone who has seen someone who drinks a lot of beer and has a beer belly can probably tell.
Plants utilize complex carbohydrates, and thus, beer as fertilizer is a bust. And then there is the yeast used in the beer making process. Why people think this may be beneficial to plants is a conundrum. Yeast is a fungus. When you put a fungus in the soil around plants, like when you use beer as fertilizer, the fungus grows. When the fungus grows, it usually gives off a bad smell and doesn’t help your plant grow at all. It just stinks.
