Peace lilies and orchids ‘bloom faster than ever’ if given 1 kitchen scrap gardeners love
A peace lily owner has shared a simple hack to encourage the popular houseplant to bloom "faster than ever" that also works on orchids.
Royal Horticultural Society offer advice on Peace Lily plants
Peace lily houseplants are fantastic for those looking to spruce up dim corners of their homes with a touch of greenery and air-purifying qualities. Pop it into a plain pot, and watch as its shiny foliage and eye-catching blooms become the centre of attention.
While peace lilies are robust and tolerant, coaxing out those stunning blooms requires some know-how.
A peace lily owner suggests there might be a trick to get these indoor plants to “bloom faster than ever”. On the Gardening UK Facebook group, a user shared that after treating her peace lily with a common kitchen leftover, she saw a bloom appear in record time.
Jane Keane excitedly posted: “I couldn’t be happier with my peace lily this morning. Since using banana peels on it, the plant has a new lease of life.
“New blooms have appeared faster than I've ever seen them grow before. I’ve even started to use them on my two orchids and they’re showing the same results.”
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The green-fingered guru also uploaded a “before” snap of the unflowered peace lily alongside an “after” shot showcasing a beautiful white bloom emerging from the plant.
The secret behind this clever hack could be that banana skins supply essential nutrients that encourage the peace lily to flower.
Gardening specialists at Lawn highlighted that potassium is crucial for peace lilies, particularly for flower growth.
They noted that without sufficient potassium, a peace lily is “unlikely to produce flowers”.
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They recommended that peace lily enthusiasts boost their plant’s blooming potential by using a “potassium-rich fertiliser” or by “adding some banana peels or eggshells” to the soil for enrichment.
Not only are peace lilies said to benefit from banana peels, but many green-fingered fans also swear by this method for encouraging orchids to flower.
Orchid care expert Mark Curran from the Heavenly Orchids blog explains that banana peels “contain potassium, phosphorus, and calcium and are a good organic fertiliser”.
He suggests making banana peel tea by soaking fresh banana skins in water for 48 hours, then mixing it with more water at a ratio of four parts water to one part banana peel solution.
Alternatively, he advises gardeners to slice the banana peel into thin strips, let them dry in the sun for a couple of days, and then grind them into a powder to sprinkle over the growing medium.
But it’s not just about feeding the right nutrients; peace lily owners should also ensure they provide the right conditions for flowering.
Peace lilies thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can damage their leaves, while insufficient light may prevent them from blooming.
The best spot is near a north or east-facing window where they can enjoy filtered light. If there’s a lack of natural light, a grow light could be the perfect solution to keep your peace lilies happy and blooming.
