How to split a Peace lily + Some Peace Lily Care Tips

How to split a peace lily

Are you looking for an ideal gift idea for a grieving soul? Peace Lilies are beautiful flowers with white blossoms and large dark green foliage that bring a tropical ambiance to any home. The white blooms occasionally appear, adding contrast and beauty to the opulent foliage. Since they are easy to grow, they are ideal as indoor potted plants.

But the yang side of the Peace Lily growth is that even though they are pretty and easy to grow, they never stop growing. Over time, a Peace Lily grows huge and overcrowded. You are lucky if you manage to maintain a Peace Lily in a pot for many years.

However, the most straightforward and wise thing to do is to either divide a Peace Lily or repot. Splitting will help to avoid overcrowded and crazily large-sized pots in your home. How then do you split or divide a Peace Lily? Read on for more in this article.

When Can I Split My Peace Lily?

For plants that grow separate stems from the ground (like the Peace Lily), a division is the best way to propagate them. The perfect way to propagate these plants is by root division. Form a habit of repotting your Peace Lily annually during the spring when new growth appears. This way, the plant will enjoy refreshed soil.

Because the Peace Lily proliferates, eventually, it will grow so big and even seem to droop and outgrow its pot. When this happens, it’s time for you to divide the peace lily into smaller, manageable stalks. The good thing about the Peace Lily growth is that each stalk has its foliage; hence can survive alone.

 Division won’t harm the plant in any way if you do it carefully. Since the Peace Lily grows from bulbs, it can handle some rough handling during splitting. While you remove the plant from the pot and start splitting, make sure you have several leaves per bunch.

How Do You Divide A Large Peace Lily?

If you notice the foliage and flowers of your Peace Lily begin to droop, it’s time for division. Read through the below steps for safe and effective handling of the plant while splitting.

  1. Make sure one hand is placed evenly over the top of the container and the stalks of the Peace Lily resting in between your fingers.
  2. Steadily overturn the container. Remove the container from the plant as you support it with your hands. In case the plant seems stubborn to release the pot, tap severally on the pot, and it will slide out freely.
  3. Place the plant lying on its side in a work area, preferably a table. Be wary not to harm the foliage.
  4. For each shoot, lightly hold its stem downwards, freeing the roots from the main root ball. Make sure that each cluster has 3-4 leaves and sufficient roots.
  5. Get the new pots ready ¾ filled with a mixture of potting soil and peat moss in a balanced ratio.
  6. Put the newly split Peace Lily clusters in the pots. Use the same previous growing depth and then fill in the new soil around the roots. Press down the soil hard around the roots and stem with your hands to stabilize the plant.
  7. Water the Peace Lily exhaustively to the bottom of the pot.
  8. Place the freshly planted Peace Lilies in the same lighting position as the original plant. Carry on with the usual care.

TipYou can decide how many Peace Lily pups you want from the main plant as long as each pup has some foliage connected to roots directly.

How to Care For Peace Lily Plants

  • In regards to watering, make sure you maintain the soil moist but do not overwater. Always remember that consistency is vital. While the Peace Lilies can withstand a short period of dry soil, be careful not to underwater as the leaves will begin to discolor to brown patches.
  • If possible, use purified room temperature water to water your Peace Lily. The reason is that they are delicate to fluoride and other chemicals usually found in tap water. These chemicals may cause the leaf tips to brown.
  • Humidity is an essential factor in the thriving of a Peace Lily. You can occasionally mist the foliage of put the pot on top of a soaked platter with stones. This method will increase the humidity around the Peace Lily.
  • Use a fertilizer specifically for houseplants every six weeks. Do this at the beginning of late winter to boost lush growth during spring and summer. However, Peace Lilies are not fond of fertilizers, so feed them rarely.
  • As tropical plants, Peace Lilies enjoy a temperature above21°C (70°F). But 16°C (60°F) can also work as long as you place them from open and cold windows.
  • Peace Lilies enjoy indirect lighting though in a well-lit and bright area. It is why an east-facing window will be ideal because of the exposure to the morning sun rays. You should, then, try to avoid the intense midday and afternoon sunlight.

FAQS on How to split a peace lily

Are Peace Lilies Toxic?

Unlike true lilies, Peace Lilies are not as poisonous. However, they have minute calcium oxalate crystals whereby, when you swallow, they will cause extreme salivation and distress in the mouth and throat. Once you ingest a considerable amount of a Peace Lily, critical stomach upset will occur. Therefore keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Why Is My Peace Lily Leaves Turning Yellow?

Yellowing of Peace Lily leaves can be the effect of various concerns. Yellow stripes are a significant sign that of insufficient light. However, yellow leaves are also because of pests, underwatering, and sometimes old age. Find out why your Peace Lily leaves are yellowing so that you can find an appropriate solution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LnlAdP0cJ0

Why Is My Peace Lily Plant Drooping?

If you notice your Peace Lily drooping, it’s because it lacks water. If it doesn’t perk up after watering, then other causes may be present. Other problems causing a droopy Peace Lily are overgrown and overcrowded in a pot, low-grade temperature, and soil and sunlight conditions. Ensure it gets the conditions of a tropical environment by changing one thing at a time without taking radical measures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dZwpNs6P28

Are Pests Or Diseases A Risk To Peace Lilies?

Pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and Aphids are a significant threat to Peace Lilies. These pests suck nutrients and fluids from the plant, making it weak. The tasty slime from Aphids and mealybugs attracts ants, causing more problems to the poor plant. What’s worse? If the spider mites lay eggs, they will multiply and create a severe infestation. If you notice pests’ slightest appearance on your peace lily, use an insecticide to spray it thoroughly.

Peace Lily Wits and Wisdom

Did you know? 

  • Peace Lilies represent peace: the white flower symbolizes the white flag, which is understood globally as a ceasefire sign.
  • Peace Lily comes in various sizes: small to extra-large.
  • Generally, people conclude that the white parts are the flowers. Nevertheless, the Peace Lily’s blossoms are small, and you will find them on the pointy spadix.

Parting Shot

In as much as it is well cared for and placed, the Peace Lily is an easy-care plant to grow at home or office. Most significantly, the subtle flower with its white cover is best for your flower garden for those in endlessly warm and moist areas. Remarkably, even when it’s not blooming, the Peace Lily is a charming plant.