Peace lilies, with their elegant white blooms and glossy green leaves are one of the most popular houseplants. But sometimes you may notice your peace lily’s leaves are on the smaller side or not growing as large as you’d like. Don’t worry! With the right care and techniques, you can help your peace lily put out bigger, more impressive leaves.
Why Bigger Leaves Matter
Bigger leaves aren’t just for show – they are a sign that your peace lily is getting adequate sunlight, nutrients, and water to support healthy growth. Plants with small leaves may be struggling with one of those factors. Ensuring your peace lily has what it needs to produce full, lush foliage will lead to a happier, healthier plant overall.
Start with Proper Lighting
Light is crucial for powering photosynthesis and leaf growth. Peace lilies do best in indirect moderate to bright light. Low light will result in smaller, sparser leaves. Move your peace lily to a spot where it gets bright indirect light for at least 6 hours per day. East or west-facing windows are ideal. If needed, you can supplement natural light with grow lights.
Use the Right Potting Mix
A nutrient-rich well-draining potting mix provides essential fuel for leaf growth. Choose a mix made for tropical plants, containing compost and perlite or vermiculite. Re-pot in fresh mix annually or biannually to replenish nutrients. Use a pot only 1-2 inches wider than the current roots to keep the plant snug and avoid soil staying too wet.
Water Thoroughly
Peace lilies need consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Water when the top inch of soil is dry until water drains from the bottom. Small leaves can be a sign of underwatering. Use filtered or distilled water for best results. Add pebbles to the drainage tray to keep the pot elevated above excess water.
Feed Regularly
Like all plants, peace lilies need fertilizer to thrive. Without adequate nutrients, leaves will remain stunted. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks during spring through fall. Another option is to incorporate a slow-release fertilizer in the potting mix.
Increase Humidity
Peace lilies prefer 40-60% humidity. Low humidity can inhibit leaf size and cause leaf tips to brown. Run a humidifier nearby, mist leaves daily, or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water Grouping plants together also increases localized humidity.
Prune Selectively
Pruning strategically can encourage larger new growth. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves at the base of the plant. You can also prune old, outer leaves to allow small interior leaves more light exposure and room to grow. Always sterilize pruners between cuts.
Repot Frequently
Repotting into fresh soil provides new room for root and leaf growth. Do this every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot 2 inches larger and gently loosen rootbound plants. Remove the bottom couple inches of roots before repotting. Don’t go too big with the pot or leaves may struggle.
Control Pests
Spider mites, mealybugs, and other pests can stunt leaves and cause spotting damage. Inspect often and treat any infestations immediately. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove pests, prune affected areas, use neem oil, or apply insecticidal soap as needed.
Adjust Care by Season
Peace lily care shifts with the seasons. In winter, allow soil to dry out a bit more between waterings. In summer, water more frequently and move to a shadier spot. Stop fertilizing during fall and winter when growth naturally slows. Adjust as needed for the best leaf growth.
Provide Support
Add plant stakes or a trellis to support taller peace lilies and keep leaves upright. Drooping, downward leaves will be smaller and less vibrant. Tie stems gently to supports using soft ties. Position supports early before plants stretch and sag.
Be Patient
Don’t expect huge changes overnight. It takes time for peace lilies to unfurl new, mature leaves. Allow at least 1-2 months to see noticeable differences in leaf size after making adjustments. Some varieties also have naturally smaller leaves than others.
With the proper care tailored to your specific environment, your peace lily will produce bigger, lusher leaves in no time. Pay close attention to lighting, watering, humidity, and nutrition for the best results. A little patience and TLC will keep your plant looking its best.
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FAQ
How to grow peace lily leaves bigger?
Why are my peace lily leaves small?
How do you make peace lilies bushier?
Are coffee grounds good for peace lilies?
How do you grow a peace lily?
To grow a peace lily, make sure the roots are buried in potting mix or soil and apply some water to the soil. Tend to the root ball and it will grow into a new peace lily. Repeat this process with the other root ball pieces, giving each its own pot or container.
How do you balance a peace lily?
If you’re having a difficult time balancing your plant, use a sturdy wooden stake or dowel to hold the peace lily’s stalk up. Bury the stake in the potting soil (taking care not to damage the plant’s roots) and use a wire to tie the stalk to the stake. Remove the stake when the plant has established its roots and is able to stand on its own.
How do you keep a peace lily small?
If you want to drastically reduce your Peace Lily’s size, do it in a couple of sessions. Leave 2-3 months in between to let the plant recover. Cutting back the roots is an even more effective way to keep a Peace Lily small. The size of the root system places a hard limit on how much foliage the plant can produce.
Can peace lilies get big?
You could also divide your Peace Lily into smaller plants to raise, sell, or give away as gifts. Don’t neglect your Peace Lily in an effort to stunt its growth. Yes, starving it of water or crucial nutrients might keep it from getting big. But the plant will also be sickly, unattractive, and vulnerable to parasites.