Do you have a peace lily you just love and want to share the joy with others, or do you simply want to grow an offspring for yourself? I mean, you can never have too many Peace Lily hanging around, am I right?
If you are interested in propagating your Peace Lily, keep reading this article. We have all the tips, tricks, and instructions you need, listed out step-by-step to help you successfully propagate your beautiful tropical plant.
Table of Contents
What is a Peace Lily?
A peace Lily, or Spathiphyllum Wallisii, is a tropical, evergreen, herbaceous perennial flowering plant that originated in the rainforests located in North and South American and Southern Asia.
Once mature, the Peace Lilies leaves can grow to be one-to-two feet in length and as big as eight inches wide. The plant annually produces a beautiful white flower that is centered between these massive leaves, giving off a glossy shine.
Peace Lilies bloom in the spring and have long-lasting flower stalks that can potentially rebloom for a second time in the fall if placed in the right conditions.
How to Propagate a Peace Lily in 5 simple steps
Peace Lilies are a simple plant to propagate, and you can do this any season throughout the year. The best time to propagate is when you are preparing to re-pot your plant, and this will limit the number of times you have to handle it and will cause less stress.
Doing it at this time will also make it much easier for you to find the best portion of the lily for a successful transplant.
Step 1 – Prepare a Pot
Find a nice quality pot with decent drainage holes at the bottom and fill it up with quality, well-draining soil with an organic mixture. Moisten the soil but do not overwater it making it soggy.
Step 2 – Locate a Good Section of Offshoot Crowns
Once you remove the mother plant to re-pot, flip her over and locate a good section of off-shoot crows, carefully remove this section by tugging at the roots loosening the soil, and pulling the new clump away from the old plant.
You can also try simply cutting a section away from the rootball with a sharp pair of pruning scissors.
Either of these options should be viable and create a new healthy Peace Lily if done correctly and carefully.
Step 3 – Place the New Plant Into the Pot
Now that you have your plant piece separated from the mother place it into the soil, an inch or so deep, covering the entire thing. Once you cover your lily with soil, soak it with a significant amount of water.
Although this is usually a no-no with these plants, they are desperately a good drink after propagating. This will lessen the stress placed on the lily as well as help initiate new root growth.
Step 4 – Give it a Proper Home
Peace Lilies are tropical plants that thrive on indirect sunshine and a high amount of humidity. Place this plant on a window ledge or hang it somewhere close to natural lighting.
Step 5 – Maintenance
It will take up to six weeks before the new roots start to get going; it is crucial to ensure the new plant is properly taken care of until it has matured. That means adding in fertilizer and never allowing the soil to dry out.
Peace Lily FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding the Peace Lily and answers to help clear up a little confusion.
Are Peace Lilies Toxic?
Yes, Peace Lilies are toxic to pets and humans alike. While you probably won’t notice any negative effects just from handling the plant, ingesting it can lead to a whole slew of medical issues.
The Peace Lily has a toxin in its juices called oxalates, that once digested, will make its way into your bloodstream, absorbing the blood calcium, rapidly causing anywhere from mild irritation to the face, mouth, and throat, to sever complications that has put many children in the hospital and sent many pets to an emergency clinic.
What Should You Watch For When Propagating a Peace Lily?
When propagating a Peace Lily, you want to watch out for signs of any disease or infestation. In the first few weeks, make sure the soil is moist but never over-watered. Eventually, you will have to be careful over root rot and leaf spots, which will both indicate you plant is getting to much water or not enough.
Another thing to think about is lighting. Although it may be difficult to find a great space for in-direct sunlight, without it, your plant will start to yellow and become saggy or droopy.
Also keep an eye out for any pests that may feast on your Peace Lily when you are not looking; the most common insects to watch out for are spider mites, mealybugs, and scales.
Do You Have to Prune Peace Lilies Once They Have Matured?
Peace Lilies don’t really need pruning for the health of the plant. However, because they will grow up and out, you may feel the need to trim it down every year or two. You can easily do this with a quality, clean, sharp pair of scissors.
Do You Have to Use a Rooting Hormone Powder or Gel When Propagating a Peace Lily?
Unlike propagating other plants, you are using established roots with the Peace Lily, not cuttings, so you do not have to use a hormone root product.
What is the Best Fertilizer to Use When Propagating a Peace Lily?
Any good-quality house plant fertilizer will work fine for a peace lily. Remember to never apply fertilizer to your plant if the soil is dry. Doing this will burn the roots and can quickly kill the plant.
Summing Things Up
Propagating a Peace Lily is a very simple process and much easier than other house plant options on the market. Not only are the easy to grow, but they also require little maintenance, and look fantastic in any space.