Are you starting to wonder why your peace lily isn't flowering yet? Whilst it can be frustrating there are several reasons why it might not be growing to its full potential yet and most of them are easily fixed.
When it comes to how to care for a peace lily, it's usually a pretty straightforward maintenance plan and more often than not they can be left to their own devices. However now and then you'll need to find an answer to why your peace lily leaves drooping or in this case, a lack of flowering.
Why isn't my peace lily flowering?
Whilst peace lilies are arguably one of the easiest houseplants to keep alive, there will be some instances where they stop thriving and show signs of struggle.
Your peace lily not flowering may be frustrating but it's no real cause for concern, as there are very fixable reasons why flowers aren't growing.
1. Insufficient light
Similar to why a houseplant can grow mould on its topsoil, a lack of light on your peace lily can mean it doesn't flower.
Andrew White, gardening expert at Rhino Greenhouses Direct, says, "One of the main causes for peace lilies not flowering is actually overwatering, as you'll find they are quite a temperamental plant when it comes to consistently flowering."
She also says that they need to have very specific levels of exposure to light, so be sure to try your peace lily in several different levels of light around your home or garden to find the right spot.
2. Incorrect watering measures
Whether it's overwatering or underwatering, not knowing how often you should water your indoor plants can lead to their eventual demise. Less dramatically, it can stunt their growth and be the reason for a lack of flowering.
"Peace lilies like moist soil, so consistent watering with good drainage and no standing water. They don’t like their roots to be sat in soggy soil as this will cause their roots to rot. Ideally, you should water your peace lily once the soil starts to dry - don’t just look at the surface, push a finger knuckle deep into the soil and if it’s dry there, it’s time to water," starts Lucie Bradley, gardening expert at Easy Gardening Irrigation.
"Water deeply - avoid getting water on the foliage of the plant, but ensure that all the soil is watered, as the roots will be filling most of the pot space. Watering like this ensures the health of your plant, so that it grows correctly and produces blooms," she adds.
Peace lilies don't like constantly wet soil, but it's also not good to let them dry out completely. Your peace lily leaves turning yellow is a sign of underwatering and a tell that you need to water the plant thoroughly.
With over 28 years working in the garden industry, Lucie has been fortunate enough to spend every day speaking to both amateur and professional gardeners. Encouraged to garden since she was old enough to walk, she believes that you can never know everything about gardening, as it is constantly evolving.
3. Cool environment
One of the most common houseplant mistakes is keeping your plant in an environment that will do nothing but damage it.
"Temperatures between 18 to 29 degrees Celsius are ideal for a peace lily to thrive and produce blooms. However, if temperatures regularly fall below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, then this will damage the plant, and it won’t bloom," explains Lucie.
"Use a maximum/minimum thermometer to record the highs and lows of the temperature where your plant is positioned so you can ensure you keep it warm enough," she continues.
This doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to your best dehumidifier; simply move the machine or the plant to a different area.
4. Lack of nutrients
There's a lot more to consider when caring for a plant than watering and sunlight exposure; plants also need to get nutrients from their soil.
"To help your peace lily bloom, you should feed it during the growing season, so during the spring and summer months. Use a balanced, liquid fertiliser every six weeks during this time and watering thoroughly after each feed to ensure the fertiliser is evenly distributed and reaches all the plant's roots," suggests Lucie.
FAQs
How can I get my peace lily to flower?
The best way to ensure your peace lily flowers when they should is to remedy all of the problem points mentioned above and ensure your plant has an adequate amount of water, light, nutrients and humidity.
It's important to know how to clean plant leaves, as this will allow your peace lily to absorb more light, which can aid in flower production. Alongside this, try using a phosphorus-rich fertiliser which is specifically formulated for blooming plants. However, make sure to read the instructions to not overdo it.
How often do peace lilies flower?
For a plant that doesn't flower very often, peace lilies are some of the best indoor plants for your health and well-being. There is a common time from when you can expect your peace lily to flower, only if its needs are met, of course.
"You can expect a peace lily to flower once a year, in spring. By providing the correct care, you may also be lucky enough for them to bloom a second time, in late summer, early autumn. Their flowers should last for between 4 to 8 weeks, so it could seem as if they are in bloom all year round when they bloom twice a year," says Lucie.
It is, however, important to note that younger peace lilies can take over a year or two to mature before they start flowering. Fiona suggests being patient with your plant, especially if it's a new plant.
Although peace lilies aren't exactly the hardest plants to keep alive, there are some easy mistakes to make when it comes to their care. The easiest way to keep your plants happy is to make sure you're regularly doing health checks and that their environment isn't causing any damage.
