Peace Lily is one of the most fascinating plants and the easiest to take care of. Despite the name, Peace Lilies aren’t real Lilies or “Liliaceae.” In fact, they belong to the Araceae family, which also includes Monsteras and Elephant Ear. So, what is the best soil for Peace Lily?
Native to the tropical rainforests of Venezuela and Colombia, Peace Lilies prefer a soil mixture that drains well, yet retains a good amount of moisture. Mainly, perlite or pumice with a bit of compost should provide the perfect nutrition required by the plant.
Keep reading to know more about the perfect soil mixture for Peace Lilies and what the components are.
What Are the Preferred Soil Properties for Peace Lily?
Peace Lilies are quite simple and easy to grow. That’s why it’s the best plant choice for beginners. However, like any other plant, they have preferences when it comes to soil. For Peace Lilies to thrive, the soil needs to be acidic (preferably a pH of 5.8–6.5).
Mainly, Peace Lilies are aroids, and the ideal growing medium for this kind of plant is a soil mix that’s able to drain well. On the other hand, this mixture also needs to hold moisture, not too much of it though.
What Is the Best Potting Mix for Peace Lily?
The right soil mixture for every kind of plant makes or breaks it. That’s because good soil provides plants with water, oxygen, and the nutrients they need to maintain healthy foliage. Not to mention that it also takes a part in protecting your plant from pests.
Without the needed nutrients inside its soil, your Peace Lily may struggle to keep its gorgeous glossy green leaves strong. In addition to other issues, the plant may also stop producing those mesmerizing white blooms.
Here are three potting mix options for you to try out:
1. A Quick Fix Potting Mix
If you’re in a hurry, there’s a great quick and easy mixture you can put together. Mix one part standard potting mix or cactus mix with half the amount of bark or perlite, and your Peace Lilies will thank you for it. Adding in another part of sand makes it even better.
These ingredients are available at your local garden center or the gardening section inside any grand store.
That said, you should know that this is a temporary fix, and you shouldn’t keep it long-term. That’s because, although perlite aerates the soil and improves drainage, the mix still holds a bit more moisture than needed.
2. Avoid Potting Mix Ready Products
As an easier option, you can skip the hassle and buy a ready-to-use potting mix. Aroids potting mix is specially designed for plants from the family Araceae, which include monsteras, pothos, aglaonemas, philodendrons, and of course, Peace Lilies.
All these species have relatively similar soil preferences. So, if you came across a potting soil product for monsteras, it’ll probably be an excellent choice for your Peace Lilies as well.
Most types of aroid potting soils are often a mixture of a few components with varying percentages. Aside from a couple of different additives, those components include some or all of the following:
- Perlite
- Orchid bark
- Coco coir
- Worm castings
- Horticultural charcoal
- Sphagnum peat moss
3. DIY Potting Mix
If you’re feeling crafty, you can always mix the ingredients of your preferred Peace Lily soil all by yourself. That way you ensure a high-quality product, and therefore, a happy plant.
That said, there are plenty of aroid soil recipes out there. Although buying a bag of each ingredient might be costly, you’ll have a mixture to last a long time. You can even use those products for the other houseplants you own.
Here are two of those recipes. Check them out:
Recipe A
This recipe is excellent and easy to remember because all you need to do is add one, two, three, and four parts of each ingredient:
Ingredients:
- Perlite
- Potting mix
- Worm castings
- Orchid bark
Tools Needed:
- Gardening gloves
- Measuring cup or scoop
- Large mixing bowl
- Storing container
Directions:
- Scoop one part worm casting, and add it to the mixing bowl
- Add two parts of the potting mix using the same measuring cup or scoop
- Measure three parts of perlite, and pour them into the bowl
- Add in the final ingredient, which is four parts of orchid bark
- Mix the ingredients together thoroughly until they’re evenly distributed
- Use the amount you need for potting your Peace Lily
- Store the rest of the mixture in a container with a lid to keep it fresh. Always stir it before each use
Recipe B
This is another one of the several recipes you can find simply by searching the web. Unlike the previous one, this recipe contains Charcoal.
Ingredients:
- Perlite
- Charcoal
- Worm castings
- Orchid bark
- Coco coir
Tools Needed:
- Gardening gloves
- Measuring cup or scoop
- Large mixing bowl
- Storing container
Directions:
- Measure one part worm casting using the measuring cup, and add it to the mixing bowl
- Add one part of the charcoal to the bowl
- Scoop two parts of coco coir, and pour them on top of the previous ingredients
- Measure two and a half parts of orchid bark and an equal amount of perlite
- Stir all the ingredients together until they’re completely mixed
- Use a suitable amount for your Peace Lily
- Store the remaining mix in a container and cover it
What Are the Components of Peace Lily Potting Mix?
So, now that you know what your Peace Lily potting mix should contain, it’s time to go deep and understand the significance of each one of those components.
1. Perlite
Perlite is a white material that looks like bits of styrofoam in commercial potting soil. It’s originally made from expanded volcanic glass, and it’s an essential additive to all types of potting mix.
Perlite helps in soil aeration and drainage. Additionally, it contains minerals needed for a strong plant. It’s also cheap, reusable, easily available, and non-toxic.
2. Orchid Bark
Orchid bark is composed of pine bark and fir bark chips. Depending on the brand, it can contain other materials too, like perlite, sphagnum moss, or coco coir.
Adding orchid bark to your plant’s potting mix allows air to easily circulate inside. In addition, being chunky makes this item great at providing drainage and resisting compaction. What’s more, it’s natural, good-smelling, and increases water retention.
3. Coco Coir
Coco coir is an organic product made of coconut husk. It’s the fibrous material found between the inner and outer coats of a coconut. Mixing it into the potting mix is highly beneficial for the plant.
That’s because coco coir helps with water retention as well as drainage. It loosens the texture of the soil to reduce water logging.
4. Worm Castings
Worm castings are an organic material produced by earthworms. Basically, it’s just worm poop, and it’s rather essential in potting mixes. Not only do they repel pests, but they also enrich the soil with many of the nutrients the plant needs.
5. Horticultural Charcoal
Horticultural charcoal is an organic matter made from carbon, and it helps improve the potting mix. It does that by draining excess moisture from potted plants. Additionally, horticultural charcoal can filter microbes and toxins, which can be quite critical.
6. Sphagnum Peat Moss
Sphagnum peat moss is a dried, partially decomposed moss that’s used in potting mixtures for many reasons. It loosens compact soils and therefore, improves aeration. Furthermore, among multiple benefits, it’s a source of minerals, and it provides acidity to the soil.
Conclusion
Providing nutritional soil for your Peace Lily ensures healthy growth and beautiful blooms. Beginner gardeners love to grow this gorgeous plant and often wonder: What is the best soil for Peace Lily?
Peace Lilies, like all other aroids, thrive in well-draining soil that’s able to hold a decent amount of moisture. To do so, a potting mix has to contain a few ingredients, like perlite, charcoal, orchid bark, and coco coir.
Now that you know what goes into the potting mix, you can provide your cherished plant with a happy home.
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