Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are adored by gardeners worldwide for their elegant, white blooms and rich, dark green foliage, as well as their air-purifying abilities. To ensure your peace lily remains a vibrant part of your indoor garden, proper care, including timely feeding, is essential. Peace lilies require a regular supply of nitrogen for robust leaf growth and magnesium to maintain their overall health, and this is where coffee grounds and Epsom salt come into play. That’s right, you can use these two common household items to fertilize your peace lilies and keep them thriving.
For feeding, peace lilies typically thrive when fertilized every four to six weeks during spring and summer, or two to three times a growing season. Proper feeding helps sustain their lush foliage and encourages occasional white blooms. Now, let’s delve deeper into how coffee grounds and Epsom salt can serve as effective fertilizers for your beloved peace lilies.
Fertilize peace lilies with coffee grounds
Coffee grounds, often seen as a byproduct of your morning brew, can be a hidden gem in your gardening toolkit when it comes to caring for peace lilies. They’re not just a waste product; they’re a rich source of nitrogen, one of the primary nutrients essential for promoting robust leaf growth in plants. What makes coffee grounds particularly advantageous is their slow-release nature, offering a consistent and gradual supply of nutrients as they break down over time.
To use coffee grounds as a fertilizer for your peace lily, you have a couple of options. You can gently sprinkle a thin layer on the soil, use it as mulch, or add it to your compost. Coffee grounds also have a protective effect against common issues like root rot and harmful bacteria, making them a dual-purpose wonder for peace lilies. Additionally, the natural compounds in coffee grounds serve as a natural pest repellent, helping to safeguard your cherished plant from unwanted insects and contributing to the overall health and vitality of your peace lily.
Fertilize peace lilies with Epsom salt
Another surprising household item you can repurpose as a peace lily fertilizer is Epsom salt, chemically known as magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is a key component in chlorophyll production, essential for photosynthesis and overall plant health. When peace lilies lack magnesium, they can display yellowing leaves, a telltale sign of magnesium deficiency. A bit of Epsom salt can help restore the plant’s balance. To apply Epsom salt as a fertilizer, the Epsom Salt Council recommends dissolving 2 tablespoons in a gallon of water and using it to water houseplants, like peace lilies, every month. This ensures a steady supply of magnesium for your plants without risking over-fertilization.
As noted, while peace lilies don’t need a great deal of fertilizer, they do benefit from regularly scheduled feedings throughout the growing season — and coffee grounds and Epsom salt may be the solutions you need to help your plants thrive. While coffee grounds can provide a slow-release nitrogen source and deter pests, Epsom salt offers the vital magnesium your peace lily needs for robust growth. By incorporating these common household items as natural fertilizers into your peace lily care routine, you’ll be rewarded with healthy, vibrant peace lilies that bring tranquility and beauty to your indoor space.
