Peace lilies stay healthy and disease-free if cleaned with 1 natural item every week
Houseplant owners are being urged to check their peace lily leaves now, as one simple ailment can cause mould, diseases and even pests to fester in the soil.
Peace lilies are beautiful plants that are quite easy to care for, but houseplant owners need to be aware that dust can quickly take over the plant in summer. Dust is something many people overlook, but it often becomes a bigger issue at this time of year as windows are open more often, which allows more air particles to settle on indoor plants.
If the leaves are not cleaned regularly, then dust can trap moisture, and create the perfect conditions for fungal diseases, mould, and pests like mites to thrive. It can also disrupt a peace lily’s ability to flower as it will clog up a peace lily’s leaves so it cannot photosynthesise, which will result in a droopy and lifeless plant.
READ MORE: Orchids will be 'happy and healthy' in summer if you do expert's 20-minute task
READ MORE: Flowers will stay fresh for longer with '45-degree angle' tip
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
However, the experts at Grow Hub have shared a really simple way to keep a peace lily clean and prevent dust from sticking to it: a little splash of milk.
They said: “A diluted milk and water solution (one part milk to 10 parts water) works as a natural leaf cleaner. It not only removes dust that accumulates during dry weather but also prevents fungal spores from spreading.”
Although using milk may seem utterly bizarre, it actually has antifungal properties and is often used by gardeners as a natural remedy to control black spot disease in roses.
Milk will protect a peace lily in summer, when it is very vulnerable to disease and pests. Thus, it is more likely to stay healthy and become flush with flowers.
It will also act like a natural polish to change the leaf shine, so your peace lily will look glossy and more vibrant after you remove the dust.
How to use milk to keep a peace lily healthy
All you need to do is mix a tiny bit of whole milk with water. You need one part milk to 10 parts water, so 100ml of milk if using a litre of water.
Do not pour milk into the soil or use it undiluted. A little splash of milk can help a peace lily, but too much will cause bacterial growth, which will encourage mould.
Then, dip a soft cloth into the mixture and gently wipe the top and underside of each leaf.
Wait a minute or two, then wipe the leaves again with a dry, soft cloth to remove any milk residue. This prevents any buildup on the plant and ensures it does not develop a sour smell.
Wipe the leaves once a week to remove dust and improve photosynthesis, and you will have a beautiful, thriving houseplant that is likely to grow more this summer.
