How to revive peace lilies with houseplant expert’s one essential task




Peace lilies, known for their easy-going nature, can still throw the odd tantrum if they don’t get what they want.

Anastasia Borisevich, a houseplant and gardening expert from the Plantum app, shared that the most likely culprits behind a wilting peace lily are often arid air and insufficient watering, leading to their leaves turning a concerning shade of yellow.

To nurse a peace lily back to health, Anastasia recommends close monitoring of the ambient temperature and soil moisture.

She instructed: “Avoid letting the soil become too dry. Water your peace lily once the topsoil dries out by around one to 2cm, which should be around two times a week.”

Excess water should be tipped away from the plant’s saucer post-watering to prevent the dreaded root rot.

When the heat cranks up inside, owners should up the ante with hydration, watering the peace lily three times weekly, ensuring the soil is “always moist but not soggy”.

Anastasia emphasised that as a tropical species, the peace lily basks in high humidity and therefore, “daily misting is a must” for those hoping to see their green companion flourish and “revive their blooms”.

In drier conditions where humidity struggles to hit the 30 to 40 percent mark, she suggests several spritzes per day. Use a spray bottle to replicate a fine, even “fog” on the plant and its foliage.

Anastasia concluded: “Use soft, filtered, room-temperature water or water that has had one to two days to settle for watering and misting your plant.”

It’s recommended to use a wooden stick to aerate and pierce the topsoil once or twice a week, according to Anastasia. She said: “This way, you'll ensure that it dries off evenly, the roots get properly supplied with oxygen, and the medium isn’t too clumped together.”

When considering room temperature, aim for around 19 to 26C and avoid placing the pot near heating appliances as they can reduce humidity.

Anastasia also suggested that the issue could be due to the potting mix. It's advised to repot store-bought plants a few weeks after buying them, as their soil often contains excess fertilisers and growth stimulants.

She explained that removing the plant from the pot while the soil is still dry will “make it easier and won't cause much damage” to the roots.

You should carefully shake off the soil from the roots, rinse them under lukewarm water, and inspect their condition. Healthy roots are light-brown and elastic. If any roots are rotten, soft, or dry, they should be carefully removed using a sanitised tool.

Anastasia advised: “Prune the yellowed leaves, as they won’t recover. Treat the cuts with activated charcoal powder or hydrogen peroxide. Choose light, loose, sandy, and well-draining soil that is slightly acidic.”

Choose a pot that is 1.5 times larger than the previous one. It should have drainage holes at the bottom and come with a plant saucer.

To stop soil from escaping through the drainage hole when watering, place a layer of expanded clay about two to 3cm thick at the bottom of the pot.



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Posted: 2024-12-27 05:18:49

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