The Easy Peace Lily Watering Technique You Need For Non-Stop Blooms

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.) are one of the most popular houseplants because they're generally low-maintenance, have pretty white flowers, and are considered to be a good air purifying plant. Despite all of their amazing qualities, they're also often thought of as the drama queens of the plant world. One second, they may look like they're on death's doorstep, only to bounce back within a few hours after watering. Unlike many houseplants that like their soil to completely dry out between waterings, peace lilies prefer having regularly moist, but not soggy, soil, so they can delight you with their lush foliage and non-stop blooms.

Telltale signs your peace lilies are in trouble, include stunted growth, yellowing leaves, brown leaf tips, wilting, or browning of the flowers. If there is an odor accompanied by mushy, dark roots, there's a good chance your plant is overwatered. Dry soil paired with wilted flowers and foliage typically indicates that your peace lily could use a drink. In nature, roots will absorb the exact amount of moisture they need, and the rest drains from the soil. In pots, especially those that sit in saucers, the excess water has nowhere else to go, causing it to pool up around the plant roots. When this happens, it can lead to deadly fungal issues like root rot. One common peace lily mistake is actually overwatering, meaning the soil is soggy rather than consistently moist. On the other hand, other plant enthusiasts may struggle to keep up with a peace lily's constant thirst. So, how do you maintain the soil's moisture without over or under-doing it?

To make your and your peace lilies' lives easier, skip the watering can and grab a tray of water instead. One of the main reasons you should be bottom watering your houseplants is that it allows them to absorb only the moisture they need. Unlike overhead watering, you won't need to worry about excess moisture evaporating and not reaching the entire root ball, which can leave the soil too dry. When water is absorbed from the bottom, the soil won't grab onto more than it can hold. This prevents excess water from sitting and pooling around the roots, where it can cause all sorts of fungal problems.

For this method, grab a tray, saucer, or another container that's a few inches bigger than the bottom of your peace lily's pot. Use filtered water to fill the container until it reaches about halfway up the pot, and let your plant sit for at least 20 minutes, giving the roots and soil plenty of time to absorb the water. If the soil still feels dry, add more water to the tray and give it another 20 minutes. Once your peace lily is sufficiently hydrated, let the excess water drain through the drainage holes and dump out any remaining water in the saucer. Repeat the process every few days to keep the soil consistently moist, but remember to occasionally drench the soil with water from the top to flush out any excess fertilizer or salt accumulation.