How Long Can A Peace Lily Live In Water?
Peace Lilies(Spathiphyllum) are popular houseplants that are known for their attractive, glossy green leaves and white, spatula-shaped flowers. While they typically grow best in soil, it is possible to grow Peace Lilies in water. How long can a peace lily live in water?
Peace Lilies grow just as well in water as they do in soil. Because of its evergreen leaves and simple maintenance, the Peace Lily is a favorite among all indoor plants. When cultivated in water, a Peace Lily adjusts to an extreme growth situation by producing several little roots that nourish the plant.
Peace Lilies may thrive in water as long as nutrients are provided and the liquid is replaced regularly. It is recommended to use distilled water and hydroponic fertilizer. Every two weeks, change the water and scrape any algae out of the container.
You may have noticed if you visit plant forums or subscribe to YouTube channels. It’s becoming a popular approach to producing this exquisite shrub.
If you opt to let your plant grow without soil indefinitely, an essential topic to consider is how long a Peace Lily can live in water. The good news is that there is no practical limit to how long Peace Lilies can live in water. Of course, this is only true if you properly care for your plant.
How Long Can A Peace Lily Live In Water?
Table of Contents
Growing Peace Lilies in water can work, but they are not aquatic plants and do not thrive in standing water. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and will do best if allowed to dry out slightly between waterings.
A healthy Peace Lily lives in water for three to five years on average; however, this might vary depending on care and environment. The lifespan might vary depending on a variety of conditions.
It’s critical to keep your expectations in check. Your Peace Lily in water will most likely not grow as quickly or as large as it would in potting soil. It may not survive as long if you are not meticulous in your care routine.
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How Peace Lily Grow and Thrive
The lifespan of a Peace Lily can vary depending on the care it receives and the conditions in which it is grown. However, with proper care, Peace Lilies can live for many years.
To help a Peace Lily in water thrive, it is essential to provide it with the right amount of light and water and to keep the plant well-fed with a balanced fertilizer. Peace Lilies prefer indirect, bright light and will tolerate low light conditions, but they will not do well when placed directly in sunlight. It is also essential to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged and to avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
In general, Peace Lilies are hardy plants that are relatively easy to care for. With the right conditions and care, a Peace Lily can live for many years and produce beautiful flowers throughout its lifespan. But then, how many years does a Peace Lily live?
How Many Years Does Peace Lily Live For?
It is difficult to determine the exact lifespan of a Peace Lily, as it can vary depending on the care it receives and the conditions in which it is grown. However, with proper care, and Peace Lilies can live for many years and continue to produce flowers throughout their lifespan.
Peace Lily plants, as previously said, may grow in damp environments and survive for five years. However, certain elements must be taken into account for your plant to thrive effectively in various environments.
The factors to consider when growing Peace Lilies are:
- Light: Peace Lilies prefer indirect, low to medium light. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight or very dark corners, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or wilt.
- Water: Peace Lilies like to have evenly moist soil, but they don’t like to sit in water. It’s important to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Also, it is best to avoid tap water to avoid contamination
- Temperature: Peace Lilies prefer a warm, humid environment, with temperatures ranging from 60-80°F. Avoid placing them in drafty or very hot areas.
- Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix that contains peat moss and perlite or vermiculite.
- Fertilizer: Feed your Peace Lily plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing during the winter months when the plant is dormant.
Tips
To help a Peace Lily thrive, it is essential to provide it with the right amount of light and water and to keep the plant well-fed with a balanced fertilizer. Peace Lilies prefer indirect, bright light and will tolerate low light conditions, but they will not do well in direct sunlight. It is also essential to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged and to avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
In general, Peace Lilies are hardy plants that are relatively easy to care for. With the right conditions and care, a Peace Lily can live for many years and continue to produce beautiful flowers throughout its lifespan.
How to Grow Your Peace Lily Plant in Water, Step by Step
To grow your Peace Lily plant in water, follow these steps:
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Ensure You Choose a Healthy Lily Plant
Choose a healthy Peace Lily plant with a robust root system. You can either purchase a plant from a nursery or propagate one from a cutting.
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Prepare Your Container
Fill a container with water (not tap water), making sure it is deep enough to cover the roots of the plant. You can use a small glass container, jar, vase, or any other transparent container that is large enough to accommodate the plant.
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Transfer the Peace Lily
Place the Peace Lily plant in the water container, ensuring that the roots are fully submerged.
Algae may grow more easily in a more clear container. This should not be an issue if you replace the water and clean the vessel regularly.
Additionally, you’ll need to periodically remove your plant from its pot. If you select a container with a wider opening, that will be simpler.
Your Peace Lily will float, so don’t worry. However, for the plant to remain upright, it is frequently beneficial to weigh down the roots. Almost any kind of ornamental rock may be used for this. Or add some glass marbles or stones for color. It wouldn’t hurt to sterilize them with some rubbing alcohol after cleaning them off.
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Pick the Right Spot to Place the Container
Place the container in a location that receives indirect sunlight, such as a windowsill or a shaded area. Avoid placing the container in direct sunlight, as this can cause the water to evaporate quickly and may cause the roots of the plant to dry out.
Don’t apply any fertilizer yet. After you put the plant in the water, it will be stressed for a while. Fertilizing at this point might be detrimental.
Your Peace Lily will require some time to acclimate to its new surroundings. It is even more prone to sunburn at this time.
After being so swiftly ejected from the soil, your growing Peace Lily is likely to slump drastically. This is typical and not cause for concern. After a few days, your plant should straighten up again.
This phase is basically about waiting. It will take at least a few weeks for your Peace Lily to develop water roots. They are slender and wispy compared to dirt roots, but they frequently develop from larger, greenish rhizomes. It’s fair to assume your plant has settled in when the roots are at least one inch long.
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Ensure You Keep a Close Eye on The Plant
Monitor the water level in the container and refill it as needed to keep the roots fully submerged. It is important to keep the water clean and free of debris, so be sure to change the water every week or so.
Fertilize the plant every two to four weeks using a balanced liquid plant fertilizer at half strength.
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Transplant When Necessary
As the plant grows, you may need to transplant it into a larger container or new soil. To do this, gently remove the plant from the water and carefully shake off any excess water. Plant the Peace Lily in a well-draining potting mix, making sure to keep the roots moist but not waterlogged.
Dos and Don’ts to Help Care for Your Peace Lily
Lighting:
Keep your Peace Lily in a location that receives strong, indirect light. Because the plant will be exposed to the intense morning sun, an east-facing window is ideal. A Peace Lily growing close to the window facing north will most likely do well.
Keep your Peace Liliesaway from situations where they will be exposed to direct sunlight all day (such as a south-facing window), as this may cause them to dry up.
Watering
Consistency is essential when it comes to watering. Maintain gently wet but not excessively saturated soil. Peace Lilies can endure brief periods of dry soil, but if plants don’t get enough water or humidity, their leaves will turn brown.
Peace Lilies are susceptible to contaminants present in tap water, such as fluoride, which can result in dark leaf tips. If feasible, use filtered, room-temperature water.
Humidity.
Peace Lilies thrive under extreme humidity. Misting their leaves or laying their pot on a wet tray of gravel might improve the humidity around the plant.
Temperature
Because Peace Lilies are tropical plants, maintain them at temperatures above 60 °F (16 °C) and away from chilly, drafty windows. They perform best at temperatures over 70 °F (21 °C).
Fertilizing
Because Peace Lilies are not heavy feeders, you should fertilize only when necessary. Fertilize every 6 weeks or so with a balanced houseplant fertilizer beginning in late winter to enhance spring and summer growth.
Can Peace Lilies survive solely on water?
Peace Lilies are tropical plants that are adapted to growing in soil and receiving proper nutrients, moisture, and light. They do not have specialized adaptations for life in water and will eventually suffer from malnutrition and other problems if left to grow in water for an extended period of time without proper care.
But yes, Peace Lilies can thrive in water alone; they are frequently offered in vases without soil. However, if they are to live in water for an extended period of time, they must be given proper care and attention.
The plant’s base should ideally be suspended above the water line, either by a specially designed vase insert or a layer of tiny river stones. This permits the roots to grow deeper into the water while keeping the plant’s base and leaves from becoming continually damp, which can cause rot.
How long can I grow Peace Lilies in the water?
Peace Lilies bloom all year if properly cared for and grown in the right conditions. Their white flowers persist for a month or longer. As previously stated, the length of a Peace Lily’s life is determined by its care and habitat. Many people believe that the typical Peace Lily’s lifetime is three to five years. Indoor peace lilies, on the other hand, have been known to live for two decades or more.
Do Peace Lilies grow better in water or soil?
Peace Lilies are commonly grown in soil, but they may also be grown in water. However, only one Peace Lily should be planted in a glass container at a time.
To give your Peace Lily the best chance of thriving, it is important to plant it in a well-draining soil mix and to water it regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Peace Lilies are tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions and will thrive in a variety of indoor environments as long as they are given the proper care. In addition to watering and fertilizing your Peace Lily as needed, be sure to provide it with adequate light and protect it from drafts and extreme temperature fluctuations.
Can Peace Lily roots sit in water?
If you wish to grow Peace Lily in water, keep the plant’s base floating above the water level. This may be accomplished by arranging river rocks or stones. This causes the roots to grow in the water while keeping the rest of the plant above it. This decreases the possibility of decay. You may also root a Peace Lily plant in an aquarium since the fish water includes nutrients that help it root quicker.
It is not recommended for Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) root systems to sit in water for an extended period of time. While Peace Lilies are tolerant of moist soil and can survive brief periods of standing water, they do not thrive in constantly waterlogged conditions. Waterlogged soil can cause the roots to rot, leading to the death of the plant.
Is the Peace Lily Plant Toxic?
Yes, Peace Lily is a somewhat poisonous plant. All portions of the Peace Lily plant contain calcium oxalate, which can cause stomach and respiratory discomfort if consumed in high quantities. Keep Peace Lilies away from tiny children and pets that could gnaw on them. Philodendrons, daffodils, real lilies, and hyacinths are among the more popular plants that contain calcium oxalate.
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Conclusion
Growing a Peace Lily in water is not difficult if you handle the situation correctly. You will achieve good outcomes if you follow the instructions given above.
Peace Lilies are often cultivated on soil, although they may also be grown in water. However, keep in mind that you should only plant one Peace Lily in a glass container at a time.
You can appreciate the aesthetic value that your Peace Lily will provide to your house or business. Peace Lilies planted in water do not live as long as those grown in soil, but they are gorgeous while they do.