Houseplants: RHS advises on watering techniques
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Peace lilies are stunning houseplants, thought to bring good fortune, peace and hope. While indoor plants may seem easy to look after, peace lilies can suffer from a number of problems, including being sensitive to tap water. Natalie Devereux, product specialist at Serenata Flowers, told Express.co.uk: “Peace lilies are considered easier than some other plants to look after in the winter when there are fewer sunlight hours, despite being a tropical plant, as they grow well in moderate to low lightning conditions.
“They will flower in spring if a minimum temperature of around 15 degrees celsius is maintained in the home throughout winter and their soil remains moist in a pot with good drainage.
“It’s worth remembering that they enjoy a humid environment, and humidity in the air significantly reduces in the home when the central heating is on, so we always recommend misting regularly to counteract this.”
Despite many Britons keeping their heating off during the summer months, houseplants can still benefit from misting.
It will also help to avoid overwatering, a common problem many face when it comes to owning plants.
The expert also shared how to water peace lilies properly, because like with many other indoor plants, they are susceptible to overwatering.
According to Natalie, owners should not be using tap water when watering a peace lily.
The expert said: “Peace lilies don’t like being overwatered, so don’t water on a schedule as it is likely they will need less in the winter than the summer when the external conditions are warmer.
“Overwatering can lead to root rot which suffocates the plant.
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“Where possible, use filtered water and avoid tap water which can contain fluoride, which peace lilies are sensitive to.
“In winter, bring the water to room temperature before watering as water too cold can shock the plants.”
If you have a peace lily, it is also recommended to wipe the leaves regularly to avoid any dust build up.
Cleaning the leaves regularly will allow the plant to thrive as dust will prevent it from photosynthesising properly.
In a bid to help houseplant owners care for their plants, Hammonds Furniture recently analysed Google search data to find out which plants are the most popular in the UK.
According to the research, the peace lily is one of the most “difficult” houseplants to care for.
They explained: “Experts at Hammonds Furniture said: “When it comes to humidity and temperature, the peace lily needs a more particular set up.
“They should be kept away from cold draughts, and will do best in a humid room, such as a bathroom.”
Owners should keep their houseplants watered weekly, making sure the soil is dry before adding more water.
If the plant is wilting, it most likely needs more water as the experts said this is a sign of dehydration.
They added: “However, if the plant is drooping and its leaves are yellow, hold back on the watering as your plant has been overwatered and needs a break.”
A pencil can also be used in the soil to test if the houseplant needs a break or more water.
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