Watering a peace lily isn't just a routine task; it's a vital part of nurturing it to health.
The key to keeping your peace lily healthy and vibrant lies in understanding the proper watering frequency.
The ideal watering schedule for your peace lily depends on factors such as the size of the plant, the humidity in your home, and the season.
As a peace lily owner, you're likely looking for some clear guidelines, so in this article, we'll look into the details of the peace lily's watering requirements.
Importance of Properly Watering Peace Lilies
Properly watering peace lilies is essential for maintaining their overall health and well-being.
Proper watering contributes to essential processes such as photosynthesis and nutrient absorption.
Photosynthesis Process
One of the most significant aspects of proper watering is its impact on the photosynthesis process.
Photosynthesis is a critical process that allows plants, including peace lilies, to convert light energy into food for their growth and development.
To engage in photosynthesis efficiently, peace lilies require an adequate amount of water.
Consistently watering your peace lily helps maintain its necessary hydration, allowing the leaves to capture sunlight effectively and produce energy for the plant.
Without sufficient water, the leaves may wilt or turn yellow, leading to reduced photosynthetic efficiency and poor plant health.
Here's what to do with brown, dead, and yellowing leaves of your peace lilies: Should I Cut The Dead Leaves Off My Peace Lily? [Inc. When And How To]
Nutrient Absorption
Another vital function of watering peace lilies is facilitating nutrient absorption.
Water acts as a carrier, enabling the peace lily to uptake essential nutrients from the soil, which are necessary for proper growth and development.
By ensuring your peace lily receives an appropriate amount of water, you are providing the necessary environment for optimal nutrient absorption.
The water carries nutrients from the soil into the plant roots, where they are then transported throughout the plant for growth and maintenance.
Here's a helpful video with tips on how to water peace lilies:
How to Determine When to Water
Here, we will discuss two methods to determine when to water your peace lily: monitoring soil moisture and checking leaf condition.
1. Monitoring Soil Moisture
One of the most effective ways to determine when to water your peace lily is by monitoring the soil moisture. To do this:
- Stick your finger about 1 inch (2.5 cm) into the soil.
- If you feel moisture, wait a few more days before checking again.
- If the soil feels dry, it's time to water your peace lily.
It's important not to overwater your peace lily, as this can lead to root rot and other problems.
An ideal watering schedule for a peace lily is approximately once a week, but this can vary depending on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and the season.
2. Checking Leaf Condition
Another helpful method to determine when to water your peace lily is by checking its leaf condition. Here are some signs to look for:
Drooping Leaves
When your peace lily needs water, its leaves will start to droop. This is a clear signal that it's time to water the plant. After proper hydration, the leaves should perk up within a few hours.
Yellow Leaves
If the leaves of your peace lily are starting to turn yellow, it's likely receiving too much water.
Adjust the watering schedule accordingly and make sure the pot has proper drainage.
If your peace lily seems to be dying, check for solutions here: My Peace Lily Is Dying – What To Do?
Tips for Watering Peace Lilies
Here are some useful tips you can apply to water your beloved plant.
Use of Filtered Water
Peace lilies prefer filtered water over tap water, as tap water may contain chemicals that could harm the plant.
Collect rainwater, or use a water filter to remove impurities before watering your peace lily.
This will help prevent issues like brown leaf tips, which can be caused by chemicals in unfiltered water.
Best Time of Day to Water
The best time of day to water your peace lily is during the morning or evening hours.
Watering in the midday heat might cause the water to evaporate quickly, reducing the overall effectiveness of your watering.
Additionally, watering during cooler times of day will minimize stress for the plant, allowing it to better absorb and utilize the moisture.
How to Bottom Water a Peace Lily
Bottom watering your peace lily is an excellent way to ensure it receives the right amount of moisture without overwatering.
First, gather the necessary materials. You will need a shallow tray or dish, and some clean water. Fill the tray with water, making sure the depth is no more than an inch.
Check out this 6-pack plant saucer on Amazon.
Next, place your peace lily's pot in the tray, allowing the plant to soak up water from the bottom.
This process encourages the roots to draw water upwards, ensuring even distribution throughout the soil.
Make sure the water level does not submerge the pot's drainage holes, as you want the plant to drink the water, not be immersed in it.
Now, give your peace lily some time to absorb the water. Generally, this should take about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the pot and the plant's thirst.
Keep an eye on the water level in the tray and refill it if necessary.
When the peace lily has absorbed enough water, you will notice the soil surface becoming moist or slightly damp.
At this point, carefully remove the plant from the tray and allow any excess water to drain out of the pot's drainage holes.
Watch this video below to see how it's done.
Do Peace Lilies Need More Water in Summer?
During the summer months, your peace lily might need more water than usual due to increased temperature.
In general, it is best to check the moisture level of the soil every few days, and water your peace lily when the top inch of the soil feels dry. When watering, ensure that the water reaches the roots.
Keep in mind that it's better to err on the side of caution and underwater your peace lily rather than overwater it.
Finally, be conscious of the humidity levels in your home during the summer. Peace lilies thrive in a humid environment. If the air inside is too dry, it can cause the plant to lose water rapidly.
To maintain a suitable humidity level for your peace lily, you can place a tray filled with water and pebbles under the pot, use a humidifier, or mist the leaves occasionally.
Peace Lilies Love Water!
To wrap up, water your peace lily once a week generously and allow the soil enough time to dry out slightly before next watering.
To avoid overwatering, ensure the soil is moderately moist, but not completely soaked.
A well-draining potting mix is beneficial for preventing excess water retention in the soil.
Following these guidelines, you should notice your peace lily consistently producing beautiful blooms and fresh, vibrant foliage.
Happy gardening!