The Best Fertilizer To Use For Thriving Peace Lily Plants

When the flawless white petal unfurls from a peace lily blossom, the plant's name makes sense; against dark green foliage, the flower looks like a flickering candle flame giving off a sense of peace and hope. To coax them to bloom, there are tips and tricks to help your peace lilies flourish as an indoor houseplant. Not surprisingly, the right fertilizer helps. Yet, this introduces lots of questions. House Digest's Garden Editor and in-house Master Gardener, Tiffany Selvey, is just the person to share some insight into what these plants need to produce their graceful flowers. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Selvey answered the essential questions of what, why, how, and when peace lilies need some nutritional encouragement.

Selvey singles out fertilizers specially formulated for peace lilies (Spathiphyllum). These products pack the necessities for optimal flower production. "While peace lilies are pretty low-maintenance, they may need a little nutrient boost to start producing the creamy white flowers we love so much," she explains. Balanced fertilizers like 2-2-2 are a top choice, but one that brings a bit more nitrogen to the party, like a 3-1-2 mix, will help keep the green foliage healthy.

You can fertilize your peace lilies with common household items like coffee grounds or Epsom salts, but for "bloom insurance," invest in a fertilizer that meets Selvey's criteria. During her exclusive interview with House Digest, Selvey advised that you should pay close attention to the specific directions that come with the fertilizer. "Fertilization frequency will vary depending on the product, so you'll always need to follow the instructions on the label." Fertilizers come in several forms, so how you apply these products depends greatly on their formula. Selvey states, "Fertilizers are available in foliar sprays, liquid, and granules, so just follow the instructions on the package."

For indoor-dwelling peace lily plants, you might not realize that this greenery sometimes takes a winter break. "If you don't supplement your plants with grow lights and don't have a lot of indirect light in your home, peace lilies may go dormant over the winter," says Selvey. "Don't fertilize during this time if you aren't seeing signs of growth, but the plant still looks healthy."

Despite all of the benefits that can come from using the right product, there are dangerous mistakes people make when fertilizing their plants. As with lots of other things in life, moderation is key. During her exclusive interview with House Digest, Selvey warned us that "Overfertilization is a common mistake people make. We often think, 'If some is good, more must be better!' but this is absolutely false with fertilizer." Too much of a good thing can cause permanent damage to your peace lily. "Overfertilization can burn plant roots and lead to an excess of minerals in the soil. This is why it's so important to follow the instructions on the package."

Avoid this problem by keeping close track of when you apply fertilizer. Selvey recommends keeping a fertilization calendar. This can help you make sure you're doing it at just the right times to support your plant's optimal health.