How to Water a Peace Lily Properly – And Why Tap Water Could Be Killing It
Get it wrong and you risk crispy leaves and no flowers
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Peace lilies are some of the most sophisticated flowering plants to grow in the home, but they'll quickly start to look a little worse for wear if you don't water them correctly.
This isn't just a case of knowing how often to water peace lilies, but also the best houseplant watering method to use, and the best type of water – spoiler: tap water isn't the best option for this sensitive plant. Getting this wrong can cause some serious issues for your plant, from yellowing to fading way completely.
When to Water a Peace Lily
Peace lilies thrive best in bright, indirect light
To understand how to water a peace lily you first need to know when to water it, and its native habitat can inform us about just how much water these plants require.
Native to tropical rainforests of Central and South America, these moisture-loving plants don't get the chance to dry out entirely. They're used to consistent rainfall, higher humidity, and wet forest floors.
For this reason, it's not wise to allow peace lilies to dry out entirely between watering. This could result in your peace lily turning yellow, drooping, and having crispy, brown tips.
Instead, use a soil moisture meter (like this one from Amazon) to check when the top two inches of your peace lily's soil has dried out. This is when you should reach for your watering can.
Be aware that winter houseplant care will require you to water your peace lily less frequently. As peace lilies are semi-dormant during this time, they need less water and soak it up much more slowly.
Best Type of Water For a Peace Lily
Peace lilies make great bathroom plants, where they can soak up extra moisture from shower steam
As for the best type of water for a peace lily, it's best to avoid tap water for these houseplants, if possible.
The reason for this is peace lilies are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine, found in the treated water that comes from house faucets.
Using tap water on peace lilies can result in crispy leaf tips and may even hinder the plant's ability to flower.
Instead, filtered, distilled, reverse-osmosis, or rainwater are better for peace lilies because they lack harmful chemicals. You can purchase distilled water at Walmart.
If tap water is your only option, don't worry – it won't kill off your plant, but you should monitor for symptoms and filter the water where possible, like with this water filter jug on Amazon.
You can lessen the effects of tap water on your peace lily by letting it first sit for 24-48 hours before applying, allowing chlorine to evaporate. Though, you should be aware, this won't remove harmful chemicals altogether.
How to Water a Peace Lily
Don't forget to clean peace lily leaves to keep pests away
It's best to use the top watering method when watering a peace lily. This targeted approach means you can avoid water splashing on the sensitive leaves, avoiding issues like leaf spot.
Use a houseplant watering can with a narrow spout (like this beautiful green metal one from Wayfair) to water your peace lily deeply around the base of the plant, ensuring the whole root system is saturated.
Make sure your peace lily is growing in a planter with drainage holes (like this scalloped green ceramic planter from Target) to allow for excess water to drain away. This will prevent issues of houseplant root rot.
Alternatively, you can use houseplant bottom watering for your peace lily. This requires gently lifting it from its pot and soaking it until its root ball is fully saturated. This is a good way to ensure it's properly hydrated, as the plant will soak up just as much water as it needs.
FAQs
What Is the Powdery Buildup on My Peace Lily's Soil?
Powdery buildup on peace lily soil is usually from minerals in treated water, especially hard water. This chalky residue is often accompanied by browning leaf tips and may even be found on plant roots. You can remove it by flushing the soil with filtered or distilled water, or refresh your peace lily with new potting soil.
Getting watering wrong is just one peace lily mistake to be aware of. You should also pay attention to its high humidity needs by using methods to increase humidity for indoor plants, like with this plant mister from Amazon.
Shop Peace Lily Accessories
This liquid peace lily feed is packed with nutrients to encourage long-lasting peace lily blooms.
This potting mix is a special blend to support peace lilies. It's packed with nutrients for growth and good drainage.
Place your peace lily on this pebble humidity tray to boost humidity levels.
This gorgeous green metal watering can is ideal for houseplants, with its long narrow spout.
These self-watering planters help keep houseplants hydrated, with a reservoir to refill.
These houseplant snips are the perfect size to remove spent peace lily flower stems and damaged foliage.
