Peace lilies are one of the most popular houseplants due to their ability to thrive in low light conditions. Their glossy dark green leaves and elegant white flowers add life and beauty to any indoor space. While peace lilies are quite hardy plants, providing them with the right plant food is key to keeping them healthy and encouraging blooms.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about fertilizing peace lilies, from how often to feed them to the best fertilizer options. Whether you’re new to caring for peace lilies or you’re looking to step up their care, this guide has got you covered!
How Often Should You Fertilize Peace Lilies?
Peace lilies don’t need frequent fertilizing to thrive. In fact, over-fertilizing can damage their roots and leaves. Here are some general guidelines on fertilizing frequency:
-
During the active growing season (spring through summer) feed peace lilies every 2-4 weeks.
-
In fall and winter, when growth slows, fertilize every 6-8 weeks
-
If your plant is not actively producing new leaves and flowers, hold off on fertilizing until spring.
-
After re-potting, wait 2-4 weeks before resuming fertilizer. Fresh potting mix provides nutrients already.
-
When in doubt, err on the side of less frequent feeding. You can always increase frequency if your plant seems hungry.
Watch for signs of fertilizer burn like brown leaf tips and adjust your schedule accordingly. Peace lilies are light feeders so more diluted or less frequent feedings are best.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer
When shopping for peace lily fertilizer, look for:
-
Balanced NPK ratios: Peace lilies do best with equal or slightly higher nitrogen. Avoid very high nitrogen fertilizers.
-
Mild nutrient concentrations: Pick fertilizers where the three numbers in the NPK ratio add up to 5 or less, like 2-1-2.
-
Complete nutrients: Look for fertilizers labeled for houseplants or flowering plants, which contain micronutrients.
-
Safety for indoor use: Many outdoor fertilizers contain chemicals unsafe for pets and people. Select indoor-approved products.
You can choose from different fertilizer types like liquids, granules, spikes, and more. Pick what fits your care routine best.
The 5 Best Fertilizers for Peace Lilies
After testing countless products, these are my top peace lily fertilizer picks:
1. Espoma Organic Indoor Houseplant Food
- NPK ratio: 2-1-2
- Type: Liquid concentrate
- Key features: Organic, well-balanced nutrients, non-burning formula
Espoma Organic makes a top-notch liquid fertilizer perfect for peace lilies. It provides complete nutrition without risk of burn. The gentle 2-1-2 ratio supplies plenty of nitrogen for lush foliage growth.
2. Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food Spikes
- NPK ratio: 18-6-12
- Type: Controlled-release spikes
- Key features: Pre-measured spikes for 6-8 weeks of nutrients
These fertilizer spikes from Miracle-Gro offer an easy, mess-free way to feed peace lilies. Just insert into the soil and the nutrients release gradually. They provide a balanced feeding that lasts up to 2 months.
3. Jobe’s Organic Houseplant Fertilizer Spikes
- NPK ratio: 3-4-3
- Type: Controlled-release spikes
- Key features: OMRI-listed organic nutrients
Jobe’s makes similar pre-measured fertilizer spikes to Miracle-Gro’s, but with the added benefit of being USDA certified organic. They slowly breakdown and deliver a light feeding over time.
4. Jack’s Classic Houseplant Special Fertilizer
- NPK ratio: 20-20-20
- Type: Water-soluble powder
- Key features: Versatile and affordable all-purpose formula
This affordable Jack’s fertilizer provides perfectly balanced nutrition and readily dissolves in water for quick absorption. Use at half strength for peace lilies to prevent burn. It can also be used on outdoor plants.
5. Dyna-Gro Foliage Pro Liquid Plant Food
- NPK ratio: 9-3-6
- Type: Liquid concentrate
- Key features: High quality brand used by professional growers
Trusted by botanical gardens and nurseries, Dyna-Gro makes premium fertilizers that really perform. The 9-3-6 ratio supplies lots of nitrogen for lush, green growth suited to peace lilies’ needs.
How to Apply Fertilizer to Peace Lilies
Follow these tips to safely and effectively feed your peace lily:
-
Always dilute granular or liquid fertilizers to the recommended strength for peace lilies. Most products provide instructions for houseplants on the label. When in doubt, use less rather than more.
-
For liquid feeds, mix the fertilizer in water first before applying to the plant. This helps disperse nutrients evenly into the soil.
-
Water the plant thoroughly after applying any fertilizer to prevent root burn from concentrated salts.
-
Push controlled-release spikes or granules 2-3 inches into the soil, taking care to distribute them evenly. Add more spikes for larger pots following label guidelines.
-
Avoid getting fertilizer on the leaves to prevent leaf burn. Water the soil directly rather than sprinkling from above.
-
Supplement with compost or worm castings 1-2 times per year for added trace nutrients if desired. Mix into the top few inches of soil.
By following these best practices for fertilizing, you can keep your peace lily thriving without overdoing it on the plant food. Pay attention to how your plant responds and adjust your feeding schedule as needed. With the right fertilizer and care, your peace lily will reward you with years of beauty and enjoyment!
How To Properly Fertilize Your Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
FAQ
What should I feed my peace lily?
-
Fertilizer Type:
- Water-soluble: Look for a balanced fertilizer with a ratio like 20-20-20 (NPK).
- Slow-release pellets or plant food spikes: These provide a sustained release of nutrients.
- Water-soluble: Look for a balanced fertilizer with a ratio like 20-20-20 (NPK).
-
Application:
- Dilute the fertilizer to half or quarter strength.
- Apply every third watering or every fortnight.
- Water after fertilizing to distribute the fertilizer evenly.
- Dilute the fertilizer to half or quarter strength.
-
Alternative options:
- Foliar spray feeds: Can help increase the likelihood of repeat flowering.
- Coffee grounds: Can be used as compost or liquid fertilizer, as peace lilies prefer acidic soil.
- Foliar spray feeds: Can help increase the likelihood of repeat flowering.
-
General care tips:
- Peace lilies prefer bright, indirect light.
- Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- They appreciate higher humidity levels.
- Peace lilies prefer bright, indirect light.
Which fertilizer is good for peace lily plants?
Additional details. When it comes to fertilizing a peace lily, any good quality, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer is fine.
Is Miracle Gro good for peace lilies?
Repot your peace lily using Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix, which contains no compost or bark, both of which are known to shelter pesky fungus gnats.
Are coffee grounds good for a peace lily?
Peace lilies can benefit from coffee grounds as they are a rich source of nutrients for the plant. Additionally, they prefer acidic soil, and coffee grounds add acidity to the soil. To get the maximum benefits from the grounds, use them as compost or liquid fertilizer.
What nutrients do peace lilies need?
Peace lilies require several key nutrients for optimal health. Nitrogen promotes lush, green foliage. Phosphorus supports root development and flowering. Potassium aids overall plant strength and disease resistance. Calcium strengthens cell walls and helps new growth. Magnesium is crucial for chlorophyll production. Iron prevents leaf yellowing.
Do peace lilies need fertilizer?
Fertilizer happens to be just one of the factors that Peace Lilies need to flourish; moisture, soil, light, and temperature are the others. Here I’ll be sharing my knowledge and experience of trialing and using the best Peace Lily Fertilizers currently available on the market based on my personal experience as a gardener.
What can I feed peace lilies?
You can feed peace lilies with either liquid or granular fertilizer: Examples: Miracle-Gro Liquid All Purpose Plant Food, Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Plant Food Examples: Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food, Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer
Can peace lilies eat banana peels?
Soak banana peels in water for a few days, then remove the peels and use the nutrient-rich water to feed your plant. Remember to dilute these homemade fertilizers to avoid overfeeding your peace lily. Is it beneficial to use natural fertilizers like banana peels or coffee grounds for peace lilies?
Are peace lilies good indoor plants?
Peace lilies are so enchanting; it may come as a surprise that they are rugged plants that tolerate a variety of light conditions, including semi-darkness. Peace lilies can even survive a certain amount of neglect at the hands of busy or forgetful indoor gardeners. Do peace lilies need fertilizer?
Do peace lilies grow like weeds?
Peace Lilies don’t exactly grow like weeds, but they normally get 3-5 inches taller each growing season. If your plant appears to be stuck at the same height and isn’t generating new leaves, it could be low on fertilizer. Note: rule out every other possible cause for slow growth before upping your fertilizer dose.