Why The Peace Lily Is So Popular

With indoor plants currently experiencing a boom in popularity, the peace lily has long been regarded as a fan favourite – but what’s all the fuss about? 

Long considered to be one of the most beloved varieties of houseplants, peace lilies are renowned for being relatively easy to care for. The peace lily is hardy, forgiving, and will even let you know when it is thirsty – all budding green thumbs need to do is look for the telltale droop. 

However, the very name “peace lily” is a bit of a tricky one – in fact, peace lilies aren’t true lilies at all. Instead, these indoor plants are a member of the Araceae family, which surprisingly also includes elephant ears, or Colocasia. 

The peace lily earned it’s moniker via it’s appearance, as it’s white spath is thought to represent a white flag, a globally recognised symbol of a truce. The plant is also known to symbolize prosperity, tranquillity and ultimately peace, and are often gifted to express sympathy after someone’s passing.

When debating introducing a peace lily to your home or office, the good news is that there are a wide variety of sizes and types to choose from. Most generally serve as floor plants, as they can reach up to three feet tall and grow relatively wide thanks to it’s big, bold leaves. Mauna Loa Supremeis the standard mid size type, can grow up to four feet tall and features bronze-green foliage with an abundance of large, cupped spathes.

The Basics Of Caring For A Peace Lily 

This tropical shade loving plant is also widely recognised as one of the best air purifying indoor varieties, which could also help to explain it’s longevity in terms of popularity. While we can appreciate a dose of healthy air, it’s also the easy peace lily care, resiliency and forgiving nature that makes them a long time fan favourite amongst plant lovers – so how do you keep a peace lily in tip top shape?

Light – Unsurprisingly, peace lilies are a popular plant for the office as they have a high tolerance to fluorescent lights. In both homes and working environments though, they are also a good choice for areas with low light, as they can still thrive in the shade or partial shade. 

Temperature – When it comes to the ideal growing temperature for keeping your peace lily happy, try to keep it consistent. Avoid placing the plant near doors where it is exposed to drastic temperature changes from windy drafts or cooler drops. 

Plant Food – In restrictive pots, your plants will require food to “top up” the nutrients that they need to grow. Peace lilies are known to be sensitive to chemical based fertilisers, so try using a plant probiotic to stimulate those nutrients instead. 

Watering – Peace lilies generally like to be watered a lot in one hit, but also need a chance to dry out afterwards. The plant will droop a bit when thirsty, visually telling you when it needs a drink. Pay attention to when it starts to sag, and aim to water once a week. 

Drainage – Opt for a pot with drainage holes for your peace lily, and place a saucer underneath to catch the run off. Peace lilies are susceptible to root rot, so it’s very important to make sure the plant has a chance to dry out between drenchings and doesn’t sit in stagnant water. 

Transplanting – When your plant’s roots show or your peace lily seems to be drinking up all its water within a few days, it’s time to upsize it to a bigger container. While your peace lily may need a few upgrades, you generally don’t need a pot that exceeds 25 centimetres in diameter. 

While peace lilies technically aren’t poisonous, they do contain a compound that can be extremely bothersome to pets, children, and even adults if consumed. The culprit is the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. These are also called raphides, and are needle sharp and shoot out of damaged parts of the plant. The crystals are insoluble and persistent when they contact tissue, so consider who you share your home with before bringing home a peace lily. 

Where To Source Indoor Plant Food 

While there is a wide range of solutions available on the market for outdoor plants and gardens, our indoor varieties can suffer due to poor soil health that stems from living in a confined space. As a unique liquid soil conditioner, Indoor Plant Booster is a plant food that’s perfect to keep your indoor and potted plants in tip top shape, including those that reside in pots, hanging baskets, and even those nestled on the verandah. 

If you’re ready to give Indoor Plant Booster a try and introduce it to the flora that you share your home with, be sure to water your plants thoroughly beforehand to assist with absorption. For best results, simply pour the recommended amount directly onto the soil, ideally around the base of the plant. 

At Bioweed, we specialise in organic solutions to ensure that your garden reaches its full potential the natural way. Our range of plant foods and plant products such as Indoor Plant Booster are all chemical free, and are providing Australians with safer products to use both in their gardens and in their homes. Based on the Sunshine Coast, our range has been embraced by people from all walks of life, and are backed with twenty years of research and industry knowledge.