From our perspective, the single most important rule is to water us when our soil feels dry to the touch. We do not operate on a human calendar schedule of "every Monday." Our thirst is dictated by environmental factors like light, temperature, and humidity. To check, simply insert your finger about an inch into the potting mix. If it feels dry, it is time for a drink. If it still feels moist or cool, please wait. We despise having our roots constantly soggy, as this suffocates us and leads to root rot, which is often fatal.
When you do water, please do so thoroughly and evenly. Pour room temperature, filtered, or distilled water (we are sensitive to chemicals like chlorine and fluoride found in tap water) slowly around the soil surface until you see it begin to drain freely from the holes at the bottom of our pot. This ensures our entire root ball receives moisture. Never let us sit in a saucer of stagnant water for more than 15 minutes; always discard the excess. This method mimics a nourishing rain shower, hydrating us deeply and encouraging strong, healthy root growth.
We communicate our needs clearly through our foliage. Pay close attention, as we will tell you if you are under or over-watering. When we are thirsty, our large, elegant leaves will begin to droop noticeably and may feel a bit limp. This is our dramatic but efficient way of conserving water. A good drink will perk us back up within hours. Conversely, if you see widespread yellowing leaves, particularly starting from the lower leaves, or leaves that feel soft and mushy, this is a cry for help. You are loving us too much with water, and our roots are drowning. Brown, crispy leaf tips can indicate a chemical sensitivity to your water or, paradoxically, that the soil has been left too dry for too long.
Our drinking habits change with the seasons, aligned with our growth cycles. During the spring and summer, when sunlight is more abundant and days are longer, we are in our active growth phase. We are working hard to produce new leaves and, hopefully, our beautiful white blooms (spathes). Consequently, we will use water more quickly and will likely need hydration more frequently. In the autumn and winter, our growth slows significantly. With less light and cooler temperatures, our metabolism drops, and our water requirements diminish greatly. You must extend the time between waterings during this dormant period to prevent accidental overwatering.
The soil we are planted in is crucial. A well-draining, aerated potting mix is essential for our health. It holds enough moisture for us to access but allows excess to drain away quickly. The pot itself must have drainage holes. Furthermore, our environment dictates our thirst. A Peace Lily placed in a bright, warm spot will dry out faster than one in a cool, low-light area. Low humidity from air conditioning or heating will also cause our soil to dry out more rapidly, potentially increasing our need for water.
