Want peace lilies filling up more space around your home? Here’s how to grow a big and tall peace lily like never before!
The peace lily looks gorgeous indoors, and growing a big and tall one of these is every indoor gardener’s dream! So, how can you achieve this? By following these secret tips and tricks, of course!
How To Grow Big and Tall Peace Lily Like Never Before
1. Pick the Right Variety
First, if you didn’t already know, there are several varieties of peace lily, and choosing the right variety can make or break your wish to have a tall plant.
This, of course, implies that you should steer clear of dwarf varieties such as ‘Jetty,’ ‘Petite,’ ‘Walliisii,’ and ‘Little Angel’ and grow tall spathiphyllum cultivars.
If you choose taller varieties like the ‘Sensation’ and ‘Mauna Loa’ at the very beginning, you can rest assured that you will enjoy some nice and big peace lilies; they easily reach 4-5 feet.
Fun Fact: The ‘Sensation’ variety can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide! Pick this if you want your plant to tower above all else!
2. Give it Plenty of Bright Light
You must have often heard that peace lilies thrive in low light. This is true, but there’s a catch. Most peace lilies are grown in corners of rooms, in dimly lit spaces. That’s why they remain compact and often do not blossom well.
The best place to grow peace lilies is an east-facing window or slightly away from it if it’s in a southern or western direction. This way, they can grow well without fear of getting scorched under direct sunlight and get the perfect exposure.
Think of it like this–your peace lily wants to feel the sun, but not get a sunburn! So bright, filtered light is best. Keep it in one of these places so it can grow big and tall!
3. Keep it Slightly Rootbound
If you had been planning to repot your peace lily, thinking it might be too cramped–don’t be so quick unless it’s showing these rootbound signs! Keeping your peace lily slightly root-bound can actually make it grow taller.
A cramped environment facilitates the top growth and bract production. So, don’t be surprised when your peace lily also flowers abundantly, besides growing nice and tall!
Pro Tip: When you repot, only go up one pot size. Too big a pot can hold too much water and make the roots soggy, which is terrible!
4. Give It a Bit of Lemon Juice
Now, this might be slightly unorthodox, but hear us out! Give your plant a bit of lemon juice. Lemon juice (diluted) can acidify alkaline soil, improving nutrient absorption for peace lilies (they prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5).
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a gallon of water and use it monthly. When misted, it cleans foliage, removes salt buildup, and repels soft-bodied pests. How cool is that?!
You can read more about how and why it works in our detailed guide!
5. Wait for the Soil to Dry Before Watering
It is a well-known fact that peace lilies thrive in high humidity. But that does not mean you can saturate the soil with excess water. In fact, these plants thrive best in soil that is consistently moist a bit but not oversaturated.
When you water a Peace Lily thoroughly and allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings, it encourages the plant’s roots to grow deeper in search of moisture.
This deeper root growth helps the plant establish a stronger, more resilient root system, which in turn allows the plant to absorb needed nutrients and water more effectively. All of this equals a healthy plant that will grow big and tall!
Always wait until the top inch of the soil dries out before watering again. You can check this by doing the finger test—dip your finger into the soil about 2 inches deep and check if it’s dry or wet. You can then water or hold off accordingly.
If you have overwatered it, you can follow these steps to nurse it back to health!
6. Pick a Potassium-Rich Fertilizer
If you thought nitrogen was the most essential plant nutrient for growing your peace lily big and tall, think again!
On one hand, nitrogen is undoubtedly important for better foliage development and keeping your plant looking lush. However, potassium is crucial for photosynthesis, water regulation, and improving the plant’s vigor and growth.
So what do you do? You can find fertilizers at most garden stores, right? Look for the numbers on the label like 10-20-10. The middle number is the most important for flowers, and the last number is for plant health. You can also go with these!
7. Allow Pups to Grow with the Mother
Keep the pups! Allowing Peace Lily pups to grow alongside the mother plant creates a fuller, more voluminous appearance.
Separating pups can be stressful for the mother plant, especially if it’s not done carefully. Keeping them together in a larger pot avoids this potential stress and allows for a natural, uninhibited growth pattern.
Basically, instead of a single stem with leaves, you’ll have a growth cluster, giving the impression of a much larger, more robust plant. Plus, the established mother plant can share resources with the younger pups, helping them thrive. Cool, right?
With patience and these tips, you’ll see your peace lily thrive like never before. And remember to wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth every so often so they can photosynthesize and breathe better!
