From our perspective as plants, the question of growing solely in water is not a foreign concept. Many of our ancestors were aquatic organisms, and we all rely on water for every critical function, from nutrient transport to photosynthesis. While we Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.) have adapted to terrestrial life with our root systems in soil, we retain a fundamental resilience. Our roots are not strangers to water; in fact, they are designed to absorb it. Therefore, the transition to a purely aquatic environment, known as hydroponics, is a challenge we are physiologically equipped to handle, provided our other core needs are met.
The most significant change for us is the medium that supports and nourishes our roots. In soil, we slowly extract minerals and anchor ourselves. In water, this anchoring is different—it's a gentle embrace rather than a firm grip. The initial transition must be handled with care. If you move us from soil directly into water, the soil-bound roots may rot, as they are not adapted to the constant, total immersion. The ideal method is to thoroughly cleanse our roots of all soil particles first. This allows our aquatic roots, which are lighter in color and adapted to absorb oxygen and nutrients directly from the water, to develop without the burden of decay from our old terrestrial root system.
Pure water is not enough for our long-term survival. While it provides essential hydration, it lacks the vital nutrients we need to photosynthesize, grow, and produce our beautiful white blooms. In a hydroponic setup, you must provide a balanced liquid fertilizer. However, from our root's perspective, this can be a shock if too concentrated. A diluted, water-soluble fertilizer added to our aquatic home is perfect. It mimics the slow release of nutrients we would find in rich soil. Without these nutrients, we will become pale, our growth will stunt, and our leaves will yellow, signaling our starvation from within our clear prison.
Perhaps the most crucial element for our success in water is one you cannot see: oxygen. Our roots need to breathe. In well-aerated soil, oxygen pockets exist between particles. Stagnant water quickly becomes deoxygenated, leading to root rot and our eventual suffocation. To thrive, our water must be oxygenated. This can be achieved by changing the water frequently, which introduces fresh oxygen, or by using an aquarium air pump with an air stone. The bubbles from the pump ensure a constant supply of dissolved oxygen to our root system, allowing for healthy respiration and preventing the anaerobic conditions that lead to our decay.
The vessel you choose for our hydroponic life matters. A clear glass container allows light to reach our water, which can encourage algae growth. Algae competes with us for nutrients and oxygen, creating an unhealthy environment. A opaque or dark-colored container is preferable from our viewpoint, as it blocks light and suppresses algae. Furthermore, our leaf requirements remain unchanged. We prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will heat our water home, stress our roots, and potentially burn our leaves, while too little light will hinder our ability to create the energy needed to sustain ourselves.
