What You Should Do For Your Peace Lilies Before August Is Over

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Certain times of the year are naturally more hectic than others, and it helps if you plan ahead for them. There's a lot to do in August, whether it's preparing for back to school or savoring the last moments in your above-ground pool. With the shades drawn on hot days, in the darkest corner of your living room is your peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.), patiently waiting for you to give it some attention before the clock ticks past the end of its growing season. There are still triple-digit degree days ahead, so before the month is over, take a few moments to make sure your peace lily has everything it needs, from fertilizer to the right amount of light and water.

To start, check your peace lily's fertilizer schedule. Peace lilies need just a little fertilizer during the growing season, which goes from spring to summer. Check the placement of where they are, as well. Peace lilies tolerate low light, but the light — and temperature — coming through your windows will vary depending on both the season which direction they're facing. Peace lilies like the temperature to be about 68 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and even during the later summer months, you'll have to make sure they aren't getting a chilly blast from the AC. You also need to pay special attention to the signs you're underwatering your peace lily without letting it get soggy.

During the growing season, the best location for a peace lily is one with bright, indirect light from an east or north-facing window. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and let it dry out a bit between watering sessions. Since the air may be drier than normal during August, you'll need to find a good balance and make sure it gets enough water without turning its pot into a pool.

To fertilize your peace lily, a 20-20-20 fertilizer — diluted to quarter-strength and given every six to eight weeks during the growing season — is sufficient, according to Clemson University. A good example of this is Jack's Classic All Purpose 20-20-20 plant food, which is $18.67 for an 8-oz container at the time of writing. Peace lilies don't need much, so a half-pound is plenty unless you're also using it for other plants.

You'll also need to keep watch for any issues that might appear from your lilies. You can tell if you're overfertilizing peace lilies if the leaf tips are brown. If you are seeing the roots, that's a sign your peace lily is rootbound, and August is a good time for repotting since it's within the growing season window. Also, if you're growing a peace lily outdoors, make sure you bring it inside before it drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night.