How to make a peace lily bloom again can be puzzling, but there’s a reason the one you bought from the store has a bloom that doesn’t seem easy to repeat.
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The peace lily, also known as Spathiphyllum, is one of the most popular indoor plants This tropical plant is loved for its lush green leaves and beautiful white blooms that emerge throughout the year But what does it mean when a peace lily produces flowers?
The peace lily blooms carry symbolic meaning and signal the plant’s wellbeing. Here’s an overview of peace lily blooms and what they represent:
Overview of Peace Lily Flowers
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Peace lilies produce flowers called spathes These consist of a white, hoodlike bract covering a spadix spike where the small flowers are located
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Spathes emerge from the plant’s glossy green foliage on long stems. They can grow up to 8 inches long.
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Flowering occurs in flushes throughout the year when conditions are right. Plants can produce blooms periodically from spring through fall.
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Peace lily flowers tend to last up to 6 weeks before fading. As one spathe fades, another emerges.
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Optimal conditions like sufficient light, water and feeding will promote the most prolific blooming.
What Do Peace Lily Blooms Symbolize?
Beyond being visually striking, peace lily flowers convey symbolic meaning for the plant and its caretaker:
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Health – Blooms signal that the peace lily is getting adequate care and conditions to support flowering. You’ve succeeded in providing what it needs to thrive.
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Happiness – Peace lily blooms emerging from lush foliage represent joy, optimism and positive energy according to Feng Shui principles.
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Tranquility – The pristine white spathes create a sense of peace and calm as they gracefully unfurl. They encourage us to embrace serenity.
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Renewal – As blooms continually emerge, they represent cycles of renewal and rejuvenation. The plant rebounds after each flowering.
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Achievement – Getting a peace lily to reliably flower brings a sense of accomplishment for any plant parent! It shows your care is allowing it to flourish.
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Clarity – In some cultures, the white blooms represent focus, vision and clarity of purpose. They keep us centered.
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Spirituality – Peace lily flowers symbolize purity, enlightenment and spirituality in many religions. The white spathes suggest untainted virtue.
Caring For a Blooming Peace Lily
To keep your flowering peace lily thriving:
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Maintain moderately bright, indirect light. Some morning or late afternoon sun is beneficial.
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Water thoroughly as the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Take care not to overwater.
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Mist leaves regularly to boost humidity. Bathrooms or kitchens often provide adequate ambient humidity.
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Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, diluted by half.
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Keep temps between 65-80°F. Cooler night temps help promote blooms.
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Wipe dust from leaves and remove spent blooms to keep the plant looking its best.
Troubleshooting Peace Lily Flowers
If your peace lily isn’t blooming, potential issues include:
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Insufficient Light – Low light limits photosynthesis and energy needed for flowers. Gradually move to a brighter spot.
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Underwatering – Drought stress inhibits blooming. Water thoroughly when the top soil becomes dry.
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Overwatering – Too much moisture can lead to root rot and prevent flowering. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Low Humidity – High transpiration dries out the plant. Increase humidity through misting and grouping with other plants.
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Extreme Temps – Heat and cold hinder blooming. Keep the plant between 65-80°F.
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Lack of Fertilizer – Nutrients are needed to support flowering. Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly in the growing season.
With optimal care, your peace lily will reward you with its glorious blooms! The flowers signify the plant’s wellbeing and your success as a grower. Enjoy these meaningful symbols of tranquility, renewal and spirituality as they grace your indoor garden.
How Often Does a Peace Lily Bloom?
Peace lilies produce blooms once the growing season begins and may occasionally produce a flower in early fall. Getting 2 annual blooms requires exacting conditions that mimic those of their native range in the tropical forests of Columbia and Venezuela. The plant must have the perfect light, proper temperatures and humidity to form even 1 flower.
Peace Lily Flowering Stages
In a commercial setting, peace lilies are grown in carefully controlled environments. This is to ensure that the plants are flowering by the time they’re displayed for purchase. This member of the Arum family doesn’t produce an actual flower but instead a flower-like modified leaf, the spathe. A blooming peace lily is beautiful and getting the plant to produce the spathe again is a gardener’s challenge. The spathe is long-lasting but will eventually turn green and then brown when it is done. During its life cycle, the plant buds, blooms, sets seed, then the flower wilts.
Peace Lily problems and how to fix them | Peace Lily Plant Care | MOODY BLOOMS
FAQ
Why is my peace lily blooming?
Auxins are plant hormones that drive new growth. They are what informs the plant that it is time to bloom. Peace lily is a short-day response plant. So plants will begin to form buds in the cooler season and fully flower when the days become longer.
How often should a peace lily bloom?
Healthy peace lilies flower twice a year, in mid-spring and again in mid-autumn. However, this may vary depending on the specific conditions provided to the plant. Factors that influence how often peace lilies bloom include proper lighting conditions, watering, fertilization, temperature, and humidity.
What does a peace lily flower symbolize?
In terms of symbolism, the Peace Lily is often associated with purity, tranquility, and spiritual renewal, making it a popular choice for gift-giving during times of mourning, as well as for decorating homes and office spaces.
Is it rare for peace lilies to bloom?
Peace lilies can bloom all year round given the right growing conditions. Flowers will first appear when the plant is mature enough and will continue to do so! If your peace lily is not flowering, most often they are not getting enough light.