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An ice cold beer after a hard day of work in the garden may refresh you and quench your thirst; however, is beer good for plants? The idea of using beer on plants has been around for a while, possibly as long as beer. The question is, can beer make plants grow or is it just an old wives tale?
As a proud peace lily owner, you likely know these easy-going plants thrive with minimal care. Their broad, glossy leaves and elegant white blooms brighten up any indoor space. While peace lilies aren’t too needy, you may have heard that giving them an occasional beer treat can boost their growth and flowering. But does adding beer to peace lilies really work or is it just an old wive’s tale?
I decided to dig into the science and personal experiences behind using beer as a fertilizer for peace lilies. In this article I’ll share what I learned about the potential benefits risks, proper techniques, and alternatives for watering peace lilies with beer.
Why Beer Might Be Beneficial for Peace Lilies
Adding small amounts of beer to your watering can may help peace lilies grow for a few reasons:
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Sugars and nutrients: Beer contains sugars that feed beneficial microbes in the soil. The yeast left over from the fermentation process also provides B vitamins and proteins.
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Phosphorus This mineral is abundant in beer and promotes blooming and root growth.
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Microbes: Beer introduces yeasts and bacteria that support a healthy soil microbiome.
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Mild fertilizer: Compared to chemical fertilizers, the nutrients in beer are gentle. There’s less risk of fertilizer burn.
The key words there are “small amounts.” Too much beer can be detrimental. I’ll go over proper dilution and frequency soon. But first, let’s look at some real-world examples.
Gardeners Report Mixed Results with Beer
Plenty of indoor gardeners have tried watering their peace lilies with beer. The reported results are mixed:
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Sarah says: “I tried giving my peace lily a splash of beer every 2-3 months. The leaves perked up for a week or so after but then would start to yellow again. Didn’t notice any difference in blooms.”
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Mark says: “At first the beer seemed to really give my plant a boost. But after a few months, the leaves started browning at the tips. I think I overdid it.”
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Jessica says: “I’ve used a diluted beer spray on my peace lilies for years and they absolutely thrive on it! More and bigger flowers and deep green leaves.”
The takeaway here is that beer may provide benefits if used properly. But getting the dilution and frequency right is key. Too much can burn the roots.
Choosing the Right Beer for Your Peace Lily
You don’t want to use just any beer on your plant. Here are some tips for picking the best type:
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Avoid flavored beers – stick to plain lagers and ales. The extra ingredients can build up in the soil.
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Go for pilsners – these lighter beers offer nutrition without too much bitterness.
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Pick lighter brews – ales and lagers under 5% alcohol are less likely to damage plants.
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Stay away from stouts and porters – these thick, dark beers can leave residue on leaves.
In most cases, classic domestic lagers like Budweiser, Coors, or Miller Lite work well. They provide a balance of nutrients from the malted barley without strong bitter flavors.
How Much Beer Should You Use on Peace Lilies?
It’s easy to go overboard when adding beer to your watering can. Follow these tips to find the right dilution and frequency:
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Use a 1:5 beer to water ratio – this prevents burning the roots while still providing benefits.
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Feed plants every 2-3 months – doing it more often can build up too much salt in the soil.
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Add 1-2 tbsp of diluted beer mix per foot of plant height – adjust as needed based on your plant’s response.
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Water the soil before adding beer – this helps the roots absorb nutrients.
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Rinse any residue off leaves – beer can damage foliage if allowed to dry on leaves.
Start with the lowest recommended dose and increase slowly only if your plant shows positive results. It’s better to underfeed than overfeed with beer.
Step-By-Step Guide to Watering With Beer
Follow these steps when giving your peace lily an occasional beer treat:
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Choose a light lager or ale, avoiding anything too bitter or flavored.
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Mix 1 part beer with 5 parts water. For example, 1/2 cup beer + 2 1/2 cups water.
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Water the peace lily’s soil until damp before adding beer.
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Slowly pour the diluted beer over the soil, using 1-2 tbsp per foot of plant height.
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Rinse any splashed beer off the leaves with clean water.
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Resume normal care, allowing the soil to partly dry out before the next watering.
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Watch for signs of overfeeding like leaf burn and adjust the amount next time if needed.
Be sure to discard any leftover beer dilution so it doesn’t go flat or moldy. And stick to feeding every 2-3 months at most.
Possible Risks of Using Beer on Peace Lilies
While many indoor gardeners report success with using beer as an occasional fertilizer, it does come with some potential downsides:
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Overfeeding – Too much beer or feeding too often can burn roots and leaves. Start with weak dilutions.
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Residue buildup – Leftover yeast and sugars can leave a sticky film on foliage or accumulate in soil.
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Fungal diseases – Excess moisture from beer can promote fungal growth. Water carefully and discard unused mix.
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Cost – Buying beer frequently as plant food can get expensive! Stick to the cheapest options.
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Odors – Beer can make your plant and indoor space smell bad as it ferments in the soil.
The key is to use beer on peace lilies in strict moderation. When in doubt, less is more. Monitor your plant closely for any negative response.
Organic Alternatives to Beer for Peace Lilies
If you’d rather not deal with the mess and uncertainty of using beer, consider these more natural fertilizer options:
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Compost tea – Steep compost in water to extract beneficial microbes and nutrients.
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Banana peels – High in phosphorus, potassium, and microbes. Just bury peeled halves under the soil.
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Coffee grounds – Feed soil microbes, acidify soil, and provide nitrogen. Sprinkle around the plant.
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Crushed eggshells – Calcium and other minerals are released slowly as shells break down.
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Diluted urine – A small amount of this free fertilizer provides nitrogen. Dilute urine 10:1 before applying.
These organic methods provide mild, gradual nutrition without the risk of burning delicate peace lily roots. Plus they are free or very low cost!
The Verdict: Should You Use Beer on Peace Lilies?
After researching this unusual gardening practice, I think beer has potential benefits for peace lilies when used properly. The key is getting the dilution and frequency right to avoid overfeeding.
If you want to experiment with using beer as an occasional nutritional boost, start with small doses applied every 2-3 months. Monitor your plant closely and adjust as needed.
But I can certainly understand not wanting to bother with the mess and uncertainty of beer as plant food. In that case, organic alternatives like compost tea and coffee grounds offer similar mild benefits without the risks.
Whichever route you choose, the most important thing for lush peace lilies is maintaining proper overall care – especially providing adequate moisture without overwatering. With a little attentive love, your peace lily will thrive for years to come!
Caring for Your Peace Lilies
Before we begin, Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) are toxic when ingested. Please exercise caution and do not allow people, cats, dogs, or other animals to eat your Peace Lilies.
In this care article, we will be covering the care of Peace Lilies in 5 segments:
Peace Lilies are the true embodiment of peace. They are both sensitive and resilient; the qualities that make peaceful people. They can thrive on irregular watering and scarce nutrients, and they know no want but for moderation.
Peace Lilies are sensitive to overfeeding because their roots can burn from over-fertilized soil. Because nutrients carry a positive charge, these building-blocks of life are reactive. If the concentration of nutrients in a given space reaches a certain point, the soil will become reactive enough to harm the roots. If you are rescuing a Peace Lily that has been overfed, they should bounce back after a repotting and return to a proper feeding schedule.
To help protect Peace Lilies from overfeeding, we formulated our Peace Lily Imperial Potting Soil Mix with charcoal which absorbs some of the nutrients and releases them gradually. Once your plant is cozy and ready to be fed in the right concentration, we carry FEED ME! Houseplant Food, to wish they should only be given monthly to bimonthly during warm months and not be given at all during the cold months. As with nutrients, excess water is also bad for them. To help maintain proper hydration, we made our Peace Lily soil to be free-draining which pairs great with our spectacularly well ventilated Slot Pots with complete drainage. Stagnant water and root-rot are a thing of the past!
The first sign of overfeeding or overwatering is the discoloration of the leaves, which should clear after feeding and hydration are restored to normal levels. The soil should be fairly moist, but not drenched. Our [Peace Lily Imperial Mix] retains just the right amount of moisture to keep your Lily happy between waterings, which are best done weekly after the soil dries a bit on the top.
Your Peace Lily’s leaves may be sensitive to intense direct light and prefer indirect. If any leaves happen to get damaged and do not recover, they may be gently removed by cutting with a sanitary tool. For most trimming needs, we designed Dual Pro Pruners, Precision Clips, and Pro Snips. Trimming tools help your plant best if they are clean, as they make contact with the plant’s sensitive vascular system each time they trim. Disinfection may be done with alcohol or heat.
If your Lily has been exposed to a bit of dust or other residue, or you just want to make their leaves shiny so the color pops, WASH ME! Natural Leaf Cleaner works great! Just gently spray and wipe with a cotton pad and your Lily will be spiffy and at their best!
The distinguishing feature of Peace Lilies is their satellite dish-like petal configuration where their spathe is the dish and the spadix is the antenna. What is interesting about the spadix is it’s made up of many tiny flowers. A flower on a Peace Lily is really many flowers in a trenchcoat! As with their leaves, a recommended and accommodating amount of light and water will keep them happy and in good shape!
It is in the Peace Lilies nature to forgive. If they’re exposed to a bit of chill, they should pull through it within reason. Generally, they should be kept warm. The higher end of room temperature is the most accommodating for them. As always; if you’re cold, they’re cold.
Your Peace Lily needs humidity and takes to anything above 50%. The soil should remain moderately moist, but not drenched. If you are in a place that is particularly dry, placing a humidifier or using a humidity tray can help your plant reach their hydration goals!
Beer Plant Food, Anyone?
Two ingredients in beer, yeast and carbohydrates, seem to foster the idea that watering plants with beer plant food has some benefit to the garden. Additionally, beer is made up of about 90 percent water, so logically, since plants need water, watering your plants with beer might seem like a good idea.
Watering plants with beer, however, might be a bit of an expensive option even if you arent using a pricey import or microbrew. Plain old water is still the best (and least expensive) irrigation option, although a shot of club soda is said to accelerate plant growth.
As for using beer on the lawn, I read an Internet post that recommended mixing baby shampoo, ammonia, beer and some corn syrup in a 20-gallon hose end sprayer. The ammonia serves as nitrogen source, the beer and corn syrup as fertilizer, and the shampoo as a surfactant to reduce water repellency — supposedly.
This sounds like a potential project for a group of bulky frat boys looking for something to do with the leftover keg on the porch. The carbohydrates in beer are known as simple sugars. Anyone who has seen another person who drinks vast quantities of beer with that telltale beer belly can probably guess that these types of carbs are no better for plants than people.
Plants utilize complex carbohydrates, and thus, beer as fertilizer is a bust. And then there is the yeast used in the beer making process. Why people think this may be beneficial to plants is a conundrum. Yeast is a fungus. When you add a fungus to the soil around plants (such as when using beer as fertilizer), the fungus grows. Growth of the fungus is most often accompanied by a nasty stench and doesnt aid in feeding your plant at all. It just stinks.
1 Bottle Of Beer And Plants Thrive | Make & Use Bier Solution For Garden Plants, Left All Fertilizer
FAQ
Do indoor plants like beer?
From boosting blooming to promoting growth, beer can do wonders for your indoor garden.Aug 27, 2024
How can I boost my peace lily?
Keep your peace lily hydrated in light, steamy bathrooms and kitchens. Repot in spring using houseplant compost. Keep leaves fresh by wiping with a damp cloth.
Can I use beer to clean my plants?
Beer is mostly water, which is fine, but it also contains alcohol, sugars, and other stuff that plants don’t really need or want. The alcohol in beer can actually be toxic to plants in higher concentrations, potentially damaging their roots and inhibiting their ability to absorb water and nutrients.
Can you put beer on a peace lily?
Putting beer on a peace lily is not recommended. While some people may believe that beer can help plants grow, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, pouring beer on a peace lily can be harmful to the plant. The sugars and yeast in beer can attract pests like fruit flies, which can damage the plant.
How does beer help peace lilies?
You may be wondering how exactly beer helps peace lilies. Here are some of the main benefits: Promotes lush, vibrant foliage: The sugars, proteins, and vitamins in beer act as a fertilizer for peace lily leaves. The small dose gives them a nourishing boost, resulting in glossier and richer colored leaves.
How do you plant a peace lily in a new pot?
Gently pack your soil down so that it will support your plant firmly without sinking downward. Pry or dig your peace lily out of its pot and place it atop the soil in its new pot. Add soil from the original pot around the plant in its new pot – using familiar soil can ease the plant’s transition to its new home.
How much beer should a peace lily drink?
When using beer as an occasional supplement for your peace lily, moderation is key. Here are some tips on dosage and frequency: Use a ratio of 1:4 beer to water. For example, mix 1/4 cup beer with 1 cup water. This dilutes the beer enough to avoid overfeeding. Feed every 2-3 months.
Does Beer Rot a peace lily?
Additionally, beer can cause root rot if it accumulates in the soil and prevents proper drainage. If you want to keep your peace lily healthy, it’s best to stick to proven methods of care, such as providing the plant with the right amount of light, water, and nutrients.
Can a peace lily grow in a new pot?
If, rather than moving your plant to a new pot, you’d like to instead grow an entirely new plant in another pot, remove one of the plant’s crowns and pot this in the new pot instead of the entire lily. A peace lily’s “crowns” are clusters of two or more leaves that are separate and distinct from the main part of the plant.