The peace lily’s shiny, spear-shaped, dark green leaves and beautiful white flowers are to die for, right? But there’s one more thing that makes it a great plant for plant lovers: it’s very easy to take care of.
Even though it’s not picky, this houseplant from the tropical areas of the Americas and Southeast Asia needs to be watered regularly to make sure its blooms last and grow well.
Okay, so how often and how much should you water a peace lily? What’s the best way to water a peace lily?
With their graceful white blooms and easygoing nature, it’s no wonder peace lilies are such popular houseplants. But how do you keep these tropical beauties happy indoors? Understanding peace lilies’ preference for humid conditions is key. Follow this guide to humidity care and you’ll have a thriving Spathiphyllum in no time!
The Humid Habitat of Peace Lilies
In their native tropical environments peace lilies thrive in steamy conditions with average relative humidity around 70-90%. Recreating these jungle-like surroundings indoors is critical. Peace lilies actively transpire, releasing moisture into the air through leaves. Low humidity accelerates transpiration stressing plants. High humidity keeps leaves hydrated and healthy.
Ideal Humidity Levels
Peace lilies flourish best with 40-60% relative humidity. This mimics their humid homeland without creating a soggy environment indoors. Below 40% humidity causes tipped, brown leaves and stunted blooms. Above 60% risks fungal diseases. Monitor with a hygrometer and make adjustments as needed.
Effects of Low Humidity
Arid indoor air deprives peace lilies of the balmy conditions they crave. Consequences include:
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Brown leaf tips and margins due to desiccation
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Drooping or wrinkled leaves as plants lose turgidity
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Smaller blooms and reduced flowering
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Stunted growth
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Pest problems like spider mites that thrive in drier air
Effects of High Humidity
While peace lilies prefer moist air, too much humidity causes issues like:
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Fungal diseases such as botrytis, Anthracnose, and powdery mildew
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Root rot from overly damp soil
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Algae growth on leaves
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Slow growth and small leaves
Adapting Care Routine for Humidity
Recreate the tropics with these simple tips:
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Group plants together to create a moist microclimate
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Use pebble trays to boost local humidity as water evaporates
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Mist leaves frequently to supplement humidity
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Run a humidifier nearby to maintain ambient moisture
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Increase air circulation with fans to prevent diseases
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Avoid overwatering to keep moisture in check
Adjusting for Seasonal Changes
Indoor humidity fluctuates with the seasons. Make adjustments to keep peace lilies comfortable:
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Increase humidity in winter when heaters run dry
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Reduce watering and increase air flow in summer’s muggy months
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Move outdoors in warm months for a humidity vacation
Investing in a Hygrometer
This inexpensive tool measures relative humidity levels. Checking it regularly allows you to identify dips and spikes, intervening before plants show signs of stress. A hygrometer takes the guesswork out of humidity care.
With a bit of humidity tweaking, your peace lily will reward you with lush leaves and cheerful flowers. Pay attention to your plant’s needs, provide adequate moisture, and you’ll have a thriving tropical oasis indoors!
Peace Lily Watering Schedule: Factors to Consider
How often you need to water your peace lily will depend on things like how much light it gets and how big its pot is.
If the air is dry, you will need to water your peace lily more often, and if the air is wet, you will need to water it less often.
If your peace lily is exposed to more light, it’ll require more water to keep itself hydrated. On the contrary, a peace lily grown in low light will require less frequent watering.
During the summer, your plants soil will likely dry out quickly and require more frequent watering. However, in the winter, when there is more moisture in the air, the plant’s soil tends to lose water very slowly.
The size of your plant’s pot also influences the watering schedule. Generally, larger pots retain more moisture and require less frequent watering than smaller containers.
It’s just as important to know what kind of soil you have as it is to know what size pot you have for your peace lily. Ideally, you’ll want a loose, well-draining potting mix that holds moisture well but doesnt stay soggy.
Signs of an Underwatered Peace Lily
Underwatering your peace lily isn’t a good idea, either, as it results in:
- Yellow leaves accompanied by brown tips
- Wilting leaves
- Curling leaves
- Stunted plant growth
- No new leaves
- Lack of flowers
It’s awful if your peace lily starts to droop after you water it, and here are the main reasons why:
- Too much light, especially direct sunlight
- Watering the plant too often
- Sudden change in temperature
- Lack of nutrients in the soil mix
- Pest infestations or root rot
Peace Lily Thirst Trap or How To Water a Peace Lily
FAQ
Can a peace lily have too much humidity?
Do peace lilies like to be misted?
Do peace lilies need a humidifier?
How to grow peace lilies?
Peace lilies prefer high humidity levels. Try to maintain at least 50% humidity level to have a thriving and growing peace lily in the house. However, you can increase the humidity if possible as that will be beneficial for the plant’s growth. Along with humidity, make sure that the peace lily is getting temperatures between 68-85°F.
Are peace lilies easy to take care of?
Here are some tips to keep your peace lily healthy: 1.**Location**: Place your peace lily in a warm room with **indirect sunlight**.North or west-facing windows work well.Avoid cold air and too much sun.
Why do peace lilies need humidity?
The peace lilies crave humidity simply because they need it for their growth and keeping themselves moist. For example, the peace lilies’ internal air through the stem and petals remain dry always. If they don’t get humidity, they will get dryer, which will impede the plant’s growth. How much humidity is good for peace lily plant?