Ever wondered how do you water a peace lily? It’s a question many first-time peace lily owners have, particularly if you have been warned about overwatering or underwatering. It can feel like a simple task is a complete unknown.
Peace lilies are stunning houseplants known for their resilience, but watering is one of the most common causes of problems for new plant parents. If you’re wondering how to water a peace lily to keep it thriving, this article will look at:
- How much water does a peace lily need?
- How to tell if you’re overwatering or underwatering a peace lily
- Can You Mist a Peace Lily?
- What Type of Pot Should You Use for a Peace Lily?
- How to Revive a Wilted Peace Lily
- How to Prevent Root Rot in a Peace Lily
How Often Should You Water a Peace Lily?
One of the most common questions beginners ask about peace lilies is how often they should be watered. Peace lilies prefer consistently moist soil, but. Like most houseplants, they don’t like to sit in water. Overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering may cause the plant to wilt. That’s why there is one key first step you need to take before you water your peace lily.
First Step:
Always check the soil before watering. Insert your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
Do not let a peace lily completely dry out before you water it again, so the soil should not be completely dry to the touch
You can follow a rough general schedule for watering your peace lily, but always be sure to check the soil first.
General Watering Schedule
- In warm months, spring and summer, water your peace lily about once a week.
- In cooler months, fall and winter, reduce watering to once every 10–14 days, as the plant’s growth slows down and it requires less water.
How Much Water Does a Peace Lily Need?
When watering a peace lily, remember that it likes moist soil, so you can water it from the top down or from the bottom up. If you want to water from the bottom down:
- Water thoroughly. Water using a water can directly into the soil until water begins to run out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This helps water to reach the roots and also helps flush out any salts or toxins that may have built up in the soil.
- Drain excess water. Make sure the plant doesn’t sit in standing water. Empty the saucer or outer pot after watering to prevent soggy soil, which can lead to root rot.
To water your peace lily using the bottom up process:
- Place your peace lily in about an inch of water for roughly 10-15 minutes. Check how the top of the soil feels. If it feels wetter than before your peace lily has had enough to drink and you need to let the excess water drain away before putting it back in a pot.
What Type of Water Should You Use for a Peace Lily?
Peace lilies can be sensitive to the chemicals found in tap water, particularly fluoride and chlorine. Over time, these chemicals can cause your peace lily to get brown leaf tips, or you find that your plant isn’t very healthy and you can’t work out why.
Best Water Options:
- Filtered water: Using filtered or distilled water is ideal to avoid chemical build-up.
- Rainwater: Indoor peace lilies like rain water and benefit from being watered with it.
If you need to use tap water, allow it to sit out for 24 hours to let the chlorine evaporate before using it on your peace lily to get the best growth. If you water your peace lily with tap water it will likely be just fine, so if it is all you have don’t worry.
How to Tell If You’re Overwatering or Underwatering a Peace Lily
Both overwatering and underwatering can cause issues for your peace lily, but it’s fairly easy to spot the symptoms, even when you’ve never owned a peace lily before. Here is what to look for:
Signs of Overwatering
- Yellow leaves: When a peace lily gets too much water, its leaves may turn yellow due to suffocated roots.
- Drooping leaves: If the soil is constantly soggy, the leaves will droop, even though the plant is getting plenty of water. This is a sign of root rot setting in, so you need to act to save your plant.
- Mouldy soil: Excess moisture can lead to mould growth on the surface of the soil. This often looks like white and there may be a smell with it.
Signs of Underwatering
- Wilting: Peace lilies are notorious for wilting when they need water. Luckily, the plant usually bounces back after watering, you’ll see it visibly perk up after a couple of hours.
- Dry, crispy leaf tips: If the plant isn’t getting enough water, the leaf tips may turn brown and feel crispy. If your peace lily has leaves that look like they belong in fall, it’s likely underwatered.
- Stunted growth: If your peace lily isn’t growing it could be experiencing underwatering.
Can You Mist a Peace Lily?
Yes. Peace lilies are tropical plants, and they like humidity levels of around 50-60%. Misting the leaves a few times a week can help create the moisture-rich environment they enjoy. But your peace lily will thrive without being regularly misted in most indoor environments.
Misting may be important for your peace lily in the winter when indoor heating systems can dry out plants and the environment. It’s like needing some extra moisturiser. You could also consider moving your peace lily into a room with higher humidity levels, such as the bathroom.
While misting can improve the plant’s humidity levels, it’s not a substitute for proper watering. Always monitor the soil moisture and water the roots directly.
What Type of Pot Should You Use for a Peace Lily?
Choosing the right pot can help regulate your peace lily’s water intake. Always use a pot with drainage holes to ensure that any excess water can escape. A pot without drainage holes at the bottom can lead to your soil becoming waterlogged, which is one of the primary causes of root rot.
If you use a decorative pot without holes, be sure to take the following steps to prevent root rot and other problems:
- Place a plastic pot with drainage holes inside the decorative pot, and empty any water that collects at the bottom. Lifting your plastic pot slightly is a great way to prevent your peace lily being accidentally left in standing water.
- Water the plant outside the decorative pot, allowing it to drain fully before placing it back inside.
How to Revive a Wilted Peace Lily
If your peace lily is wilting due to underwatering, don’t panic. Peace lilies are very forgiving, and with the right steps they tend to bounce back quickly.
To revive a wilted peace lily:
- Water thoroughly: Give the plant a deep soak from the bottom or water until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Ensure the soil is moist but not at the point where if you touch the soil water comes up.
- Remove from direct sunlight: Place the plant in bright, indirect light but avoid direct sunlight as this can stress it out when it is wilting.
Most peace lilies will begin to perk up within a few hours of watering. If there isn’t a difference in your peace lily by the following day, you need to have a look for a different cause.
How to Prevent Root Rot in a Peace Lily
Root rot is one of the most common problems caused by overwatering. You can prevent it by keeping an eye on the following:
- Check for drainage: Make sure your pot has good drainage holes.
- Water when the top inch of soil is dry: Don’t stick to a rigid watering schedule without checking the soil’s moisture level first.
- Remove excess water: Never let your plant sit in waterlogged soil or in a saucer filled with water for more than 10 minutes.
If your peace lily has already developed root rot, repot it into fresh, dry soil and trim away any mushy, blackened roots.
Conclusion
Watering a peace lily properly is one of the key parts to master if you want a thriving and healthy plant. By keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy and paying attention to the plant’s signals, you can ensure that your peace lily thrives indoors. With the right watering, your peace lily will flourish, bringing beauty and tranquillity to your home.
