Ask The Expert: What conditions does my Peace Lily need to flower? I live in Pensacola, Florida and my Peace Lily is potted and sitting in 2″ of water in an out side pond that is shaded. I put it outside in the pond when I saw an indoor pond with a Peace Lily plant in a pot in 3″ of water doing quite well. My plant has been outside for several months. It was in bloom when I placed it there. I am looking forward to reading your response. Thank you. Pennee

Reply:
Pennee,

There are four things that can inhibit peace lily blooms.

1) Light is an important factor in producing blooms. Peace lilies need just the right amount of bright filtered light. In other words, deep shade won’t get it. The ideal spot for an outside peace lily is where bright light can reach the plant but not directly hit or beat down on the plant. Depending on how much shade you have this is probably a contributor to the problem.

2) Humidity is needed for the overall health of the plant but it is often a reason peace lilies don’t bloom. I don’t think this is your problem. However, if the air in your area has been rather dry it could be a factor.

3) Fertilizer is the building block for any plant growth. Without the proper nutrients the plant can’t produce blooms or leaves. Applying a well balanced fertilizer once a month will keep the plant healthy.

4) Mature plant bloom less. When peace lilies are mature or root bound they tend to bloom less. If the plant has outgrown its container, dividing it will encourage blooms.

The final thing to remember is that all plants have a natural time for blooming. Often the plants that you buy have been forced to bloom and once established in your home will revert to their natural processes. In this case the normal blooming time for peace lilies is spring and summer. So it just make take your plant a little time to produce blooms.

Ask The Expert: I have had a peace lily for 14 years and until just recently it has been beautiful. Now it is dying and I don’t know how how to save it. I’m sure it’s from too much chlorine in the water here. I’m very bummed about it dying after so long. Is there anything I can do to save what hasn’t died yet? It’s trying to make some new shoots. Thank you. Nancy

Reply:
Nancy,

The fact that it is trying to put up new shoots is a good sign. You can do a few things to help the plant:

1) If dry water the plant with distilled water or tap water that has bee exposed to air for over twenty four hours. This water void of chlorination will help dilute the traces of the chlorine the plant has been exposed to.

2) Remove all dead leaves but cutting them off at the based of the plant. This will encoruage the plant to produce more leaves.

3) Don’t panic peace lilies are very resilient. Don’t give it any more attention that you have in the past – over compensating because it is stress will actually do more harm than good.

In a few weeks the new growth will flush out and the peace lily will recover. If you think the chlorine was the problem be sure to water the way I have suggested. However, I would also think about other reasons that might have caused the peace lily stress – too much or too light water, a severe temperature change or insect damage. Eliminating these causes will assure that the right steps are being taken to help your plant recover.

The Flower Shop Network peace lily page contains some useful peace lily plant care information – you will need to scroll down the page to see the information.

Good luck and keep me posted.

Ask the Expert: Peace Lily Care
The care of several new chapel plants (very low light) was recently given me. I know little about plants, but have read about the peace lily, since there is a lovely one in the chapel. The plant looks very green and healthy, despite the lowness of the light and the fact that from what I can tell, it’s been quite overwatered (daily waterings and it has even been left to sit in the excess water at times). The plant was only bought from a Home Depot about 8-10 weeks ago. Its original blooms are gone and the new blooms and brachts are much smaller and almost deformed looking (perhaps due to the light and water situation). Anyway, all this is a long winded way to ask whether I should slowly wean it off the excessive watering, or just go cold turkey and cut the watering. Or perhaps this particular plant appreciates excess water. What would you recommend? I would hate to damage the plant that was just given over to me for care. Thanks, mz

Ask the Expert: tips on my spathiphyllum isbrown
why are tips on my spathiphyllum brown. Some leaves are yellow. what does it mean. how often do you repot. Yvonne

Ask the Expert: question about a large peace lily
We have a large peace lily and I’m wondering about the sqiggly looking stuff (no better way to describe it) on top of the soil is necessary. Thanks Natalie

Ask The Expert: Peace Lily

I have had a fabulous peace lily for just under 10 years – it’s about 1.5 meters high and around 2 meters wide.  Never had a problem until I went on holiday last month and my colleague forgot to water it for 3 weeks and it dried out completely.  I came back to find it totally wilted and laid on the floor.  I’ve watered it but it made no difference and it’s still completely wilted and I’ve now had to tie it around bamboo canes to keep it upright but the leaves, although still green, are just hanging down.  Any tips on what I can do?  THANK YOU. Fiona

Ask The Expert: my peace lilly is droopy and most alarming to me is that the leaves is  browning. I felt so bad for it that I brought my other plants to keep it company (dont laugh at me, plants are alive).   it sits outside on my  porch.  please help me care for it.
thank you
godfrey