How To Prune A Peace Lily For Better Growth

One of the most elegant indoor plants, counting from the dark green, very flourishing foliage to the white flowers of exquisite appearance. As much as it’s considered relatively easy to take care of, proper pruning will greatly benefit the plant’s health and encourage better growth and flowering. This article will walk you through step by step in pruning a peace lily to get it thriving in your home.

Understanding the Peace Lily

Before going ahead with pruning, one needs to understand the peace lily’s (need to be divided) growth habits and structure. Basically, peace lilies are tropical plants that grow mainly under the canopy of forests. They have a clumping growth habit; from the middle or central crown, they produce new leaves. The leaves are broad and lance-shaped, while the flowers essentially are a specialized type of leaf called a spathe, which envelops the spike of small flowers, called a spadix.

Why Prune a Peace Lily?

Pruning is good for a peace lily for a number of reasons:

  1. Health: Removing dead or diseased leaves prevents the spread of infections and pests.
  2. Aesthetics: Pruning keeps the plant’s shape and appearance.
  3. Growth: Pruning encourages fresh growth and a more profuse occurrence of flowers.
  4. Size Management: The plant should be kept in a size that will enable the whole pot to fit in the planting site.

When a Peace Lily Should Be Pruned

The peace lily can be pruned any time of the year; however, the most suitable time is during the growing season, from spring to early fall. During this period, the peace lily will at that instance be growing, so it will quickly recover from pruning.

Things You’ll Need

  1. Sterile pruning shears or scissors: Make clean cuts that won’t shock your plant.Isopropyl alcohol or
  2. Disinfectant wipes: Sterilize your pruning tools to prevent the spread of disease.
  3. Cloth or paper towels: Clean off any sap or other debris.
  4. Gloves, optional: The peace lily sap may irritate people’s skin.

How to Prune a Peace Lily, Step by Step

1. Inspect the Plant:

Before you begin with pruning, inspect your peace lily. Any dead, yellow, or damaged leaves are to be trimmed off. So also shall faded flowers. Check, too, for any pests or diseases that may be lurking about.

2. Sterilize Your Tools:

Sterilize your pruning shears or scissors so you don’t spread diseases. Using an isopropyl alcohol or a disinfectant wipe, clean the blades before you begin trimming.

3. Trim Dead or Dying Leaves:

Start by cutting off leaves that are completely brown and dead at the base, where they emerge from the soil. Follow the leaf stem down to the crown, making a clean cut close to the base.

4. Prune Yellowing or Damaged Leaves:

Yellowing of the leaves is mostly caused due to excess water, less water, or a lack of essential nutrients. If half of the leaf has turned yellow or is damaged, instead of cutting the entire leaf, you can simply cut off that half. Simply cut above the green, healthy part of the leaf with sharp shears.

Note: There is a risk of poisoning a dog or cat when consuming peace lilies. Ensure the plant is placed where your pet cannot reach it by removing any pruned leaves and stems.

5. Remove Spent Flowers:

Do this when the flowers have faded and turned brown. The flowers will trigger the plant to grow additional ones, as opposed to setting seed with all its energy. Cut with scissors or pinch off the base of the flower stem.

6. Prune the Plant:

Some healthy leaves will also need to be cut so that it maintains a balanced shape appropriate in appearance. This is more so if the plant has outgrown the pot it is placed in or even the space it is accorded. Leaves should always be removed at their base, where they come off the crown.

7. Dispose of the pruned material:

Collect all the leaves and flowers that you have pruned and disposed of. Do not leave them lying there around the plant, as they may serve as hosts for pests or act as focal points for disease.

8. Clean up:

Clean your tools and any surfaces that came in contact with plant sap. This helps stop the possible spread of any pathogens that might be present.

Post-Pruning Care
  1. Care After Pruning: Your peace lily will sometimes need some extra care following pruning to start its healing process and to help it bloom continuously. This involves watering/lighting:
  2. Watering: Allow the soil to be moistened fairly evenly but not soaked. In general, peace lilies like their soil to dry a little in between waterings.
  3. Light: Place your peace lily in a location with very bright indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves of the lily, and too little light will cause weak growth and less blooming.
  4. Fertilization: Feed your peace lily a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once every 6-8 weeks while it’s in growing season. However, avoid over-fertilization because this may cause leaf burn and other problems.
  5. Humidity: Peace lilies do well in high humidity. You can increase humidity by placing the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water, using a humidifier, or misting the leaves regularly.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

  1. Brown Leaf Tips : This could be due to low humidity, over-fertilization, or even water high in fluoride or chlorine. Increase the humidity and reduce the amount of fertilizer being applied. If necessary, use distilled or filtered water.
  2. Yellow Leaves: This is likely due to incorrect watering. Check the soil moisture and adjust accordingly.
  3. No Blooms: This is due to inadequate lighting in the case of the plant. Place your peace lily in a spot that is indirectly but much brighter in light.

Conclusion

It won’t be very hard to prune your peace lily, and the process can basically reset the health and appearance of your plant. This form of regular removal of dead or damaged leaves and spent flowers can foster new growth and keep your peace lily beautiful and healthy as part of your indoor garden. If you treat it properly and pay due care and attention to it, then it will continue growing graciously in your home for many years ahead.

Check out our Complete Guide to Houseplants.

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