The peace lily is one of the most popular houseplants, loved for its graceful white blooms and glossy leaves. But sometimes your peace lily’s leaves may seem on the small side or aren’t growing as large as you’d like. Not to worry! With the proper care and techniques, you can help your peace lily produce bigger, more impressive leaves.
Why Bigger Leaves Matter
Having large, healthy leaves isn’t just for appearances. Big leaves indicate that your peace lily is getting the right amount of light, water, nutrients and humidity to support vigorous growth. Plants with stunted or undersized leaves may be struggling with one or more of these factors. Making sure your peace lily has everything it needs for lush, full foliage will lead to a happier, healthier plant overall.
Start with Proper Lighting
Light is essential for powering photosynthesis and leaf growth. Peace lilies thrive in bright indirect light. Too little light will result in smaller, sparser leaves. Move your peace lily to a spot where it gets at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight daily – east or west-facing windows are perfect. You can also supplement with grow lights if needed.
Use the Right Potting Mix
A nutrient-rich, well-draining potting mix provides vital fuel for your peace lily’s leaf growth. Choose a mix made specifically for tropical plants, containing compost and perlite or vermiculite Re-pot annually in fresh mix to replenish nutrients Use a pot only 1-2 inches wider than the roots to keep the plant snug and prevent the soil staying overly wet.
Water Thoroughly
Peace lilies require consistently moist, but not soggy soil. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry until excess drains from the bottom. Undersized leaves can indicate underwatering. Use filtered or distilled water for best results. Add pebbles to the drainage tray to keep the pot lifted above excess water.
Feed Regularly
Like all plants, peace lilies need fertilizer to reach their full potential. Without adequate nutrients, leaves will remain stunted. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks during the active growing period. Another option is to mix slow-release fertilizer into the potting soil.
Increase Humidity
Peace lilies prefer 40-60% humidity. Low humidity can restrict leaf size and cause leaf tips to brown. Run a humidifier nearby, mist leaves daily, or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water. Grouping plants together also boosts localized humidity.
Prune Selectively
Strategic pruning can promote larger new growth. Remove any dead, damaged or diseased leaves at the base. You can also prune older outer leaves to allow small inner leaves more light and room to grow. Always sterilize pruners between each cut.
Repot Frequently
Repotting into fresh soil provides new room for root and leaf growth. Do this every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot 2 inches larger and gently loosen any rootbound plants. Remove a couple inches of bottom roots before repotting. Don’t use too large a pot or leaves may struggle.
Control Pests
Spider mites, mealybugs and other pests can inhibit leaf growth. Inspect regularly and treat any infestations right away. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, prune affected areas, use neem oil or apply insecticidal soap as needed.
Adjust Care by Season
Peace lily needs change with the seasons. Allow soil to dry more in winter between waterings. In summer, water more frequently and move to a shadier area. Stop fertilizing in fall/winter when growth slows naturally. Modify care as required for optimal leaf growth.
Provide Support
Add plant stakes or a trellis to support taller peace lilies and keep leaves upright. Drooping leaves will be smaller and less vibrant. Gently tie stems to supports using soft ties. Add supports early before plants stretch and sag.
Be Patient!
Don’t expect overnight dramatic changes. It takes time for peace lilies to unfurl new, mature leaves. Allow at least 1-2 months to see noticeable differences in leaf size after making adjustments. Some varieties also naturally have smaller leaves than others.
With the proper tailored care for your environment, your peace lily will produce bigger, lush leaves before you know it. Pay close attention to lighting, watering, humidity and nutrition. A little TLC will keep your plant looking its best!
Peace lilies can be made bigger and taller by doing simple tasks.
It’s possible to make your peace lilies bigger and taller. Determined to make this happen, a peace lily devotee took to social media platform Reddit to figure out how to make their vision a possibility.
They wrote: “I have a peace lily on my desk that is very healthy. I water it once a week, and fertilise it with liquid fertiliser once a month.
“The leaves are healthy and green and it sprouts a flower once every few months. Overall, it is a beautiful desk plant.
“I have owned this peace lily for 2 years now and since purchasing it – I have repotted it in a bigger pot and improved the soil quality.”
Despite taking good care of the plant, they wanted to know how to make it bigger. Coming to the rescue, a fellow Redditor shared their technique.
Top 5 Peace Lily Care Tips You Need to Know
FAQ
How to get big peace lily leaves?
To get bigger peace lily leaves, provide your plant with bright, indirect light, consistent moisture, and a humid environment.
Why are my peace lily leaves small?
peace lily Underwatering
If the plant doesn’t receive enough moisture, it may struggle to sustain its leaves, resulting in wilted foliage. Solution: Water your peace lily when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Ensure you water thoroughly, allowing water to drain through the bottom of the pot.
How do I make my peace lily grow bigger?
How to make a peace lily bushier?
A: You can make your peace lily bushy by ensuring it gets enough indirect sunlight, the right amount of moisture, medium to high humidity, and regular pruning.Jan 11, 2024