Expecting your kid to grow healthy and fit without providing them the required nutrition is just wild dreaming. The way we need to have macro and micronutrients for our well-being, the plants need it too. Especially, a plant which has flowers or fruits as these plants are more nutrient-intensive. Choosing the right fertilizer for peace lily matters a lot as this will help it bloom when the right amount of nutrients are available for its consumption.
Peace Lily Fertilizer
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are quite a known houseplant due to their glossy leaves and beautiful white flowers (which people mistake it as a petal of the flower, whereas, it is called a spathe which is a modified leaf). To keep your peace lily healthy and fit, it’s important to provide the right kind of fertilizer. Let’s see how to choose the right fertilizer –
Balanced Fertilizer
Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with an equal ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formulation. Now what is 10-10-10 and 20-20-20?
Let’s deviate from the topic a bit, as I want to share this info about 10-10-10 and 20-20-20 in fertilizers.
In fertilizers, the numbers 10-10-10 and 20-20-20 refer to the N-P-K ratio, which stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). These are the three primary nutrients that plants need for growth. More depth? Let’s go!
N-P-K Ratio
Nitrogen (N) – Nitrogen is essential for the development of leaves and stems. It is a major component of chlorophyll and photosynthesis. Now what makes Nitrogen an important thing? You can check for signs of deficiency in the yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis), stunted growth, or poor leaf development. It needs a bit of nitrogen. Not from the Lay’s chips packet , but from the fertilizer.
Phosphorus (P) – Phosphorus is crucial for root development, flower and fruit production, and overall plant vitality. It plays a key role in energy transfer and storage within the plant. What does it do? If you are seeing dark green or purplish leaves, poor flowering or fruiting, and weak root systems, probably the plant is facing a deficiency in Phosphorus.
Potassium (K) – Potassium is important for overall plant health. It helps regulate water and nutrient movement in plant cells, strengthens the plant’s resistance to disease, and improves the quality of fruits and flowers. Remember the turgor pressure thing? Yeah, it is useful for that. Now what’s the telltale sign for this? Brown or scorched leaf edges, weak stems, and poor resistance to disease might be a Potassium deficiency. Also, if you are wondering why ‘K’ symbol for Potassium, then P was already taken for Potassium and they couldn’t register the username for Potassium in due time over all social media handles 🤣.
Just kidding, ‘K’ stands for Kalium. The Latin word for Potassium.
Understanding 10-10-10 and 20-20-20 Fertilizers
10-10-10 Fertilizer
This fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium by weight. It is called a balanced fertilizer because the ratio of core elements will be the same and that provides equal amounts of the three essential nutrients, making it suitable for general use on a wide variety of plants and garden types. It is often used for vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and lawns.
20-20-20 Fertilizer
This fertilizer contains 20% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus, and 20% potassium by weight. Like the 10-10-10 fertilizer, this is also balanced but more concentrated. It delivers a higher dose of nutrients, making it suitable for plants with higher nutrient needs or for situations where rapid growth is desired. It is often used in agriculture, horticulture, and for houseplants that require strong feeding.
When it comes to nutrition for peace lilies, both 10-10-10 and 20-20-20 fertilizers are typically applied during the growing season. The frequency of application depends on the specific needs of the plant and soil conditions. Always follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging.
Method
They can be applied as granular fertilizers sprinkled around the base of the plant or diluted in water for liquid feeding.
Houseplant Fertilizer
Opt for a fertilizer specifically formulated for houseplants, which often includes trace elements and micronutrients beneficial for indoor plants.Dilution is the key. Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength. Peace lilies are sensitive to over-fertilization, so it’s better to under-fertilize than to overdo it. Fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce fertilization in the fall and stop during the winter when the plant’s growth slows down.
Method
Apply the diluted fertilizer directly to the soil after watering to avoid root burn. Pour it evenly around the base of the plant.
Does Peace Lily Like Coffee Grounds?
Yes. Three simple reasons – pH, water retention, and nutrition.
Peace lilies prefer slightly acidic soil (a pH 5.5 to 6.5). Coffee grounds can help lower the pH of the soil, making it more suitable for peace lilies.Adding coffee grounds improves soil structure and water retention by increasing organic matter content. Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which is beneficial for leafy growth. They also provide small amounts of other nutrients like potassium and phosphorus.
Homemade Fertilizer for Peace Lily
Compost Tea
Simple ingredient – Well-rotted compost & water. Fill a container with water and add a shovelful of compost. Let the mixture steep for 24-48 hours, stirring occasionally. Strain the liquid and use it to water your peace lily. Dilute the compost tea with water (1:10 ratio) before applying. This could be a good plant food for peace lily and easy to make at home.
Banana Peel Fertilizer
Ingredients – Banana peels, water. Chop banana peels into small pieces. Place the pieces in a jar or a vessel and cover with water. Let it sit for 2-3 days. Strain the liquid and dilute with water (1:5 ratio). Use the diluted solution to water your peace lily.
Eggshell Fertilizer
Ingredients – Crushed eggshells. Rinse and dry the eggshells. Crush them into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a blender. Sprinkle the powder around the base of your peace lily and gently mix it into the top layer of soil. Eggshells provide Calcium which helps with cell structure strength.
Coffee Grounds Fertilizer
Ingredients – Used coffee grounds. Dry out the used coffee grounds. Sprinkle a thin layer (no more than half an inch) of coffee grounds on the soil surface around your peace lily plant. Gently mix them into the top layer of soil.
Conclusion
The best way to go forward is trying out the homemade version of fertilizers and then trying out the market-one of your needs are different. Always remember that dilution is the key. You don’t want to nuke your plants with over concentration of the fertilizer. Under-fertilization is okay and you can increase the dosage, but doing the inverse is not an easy task.
