The Best Soil for Peace Lily (Ways to Maintain and Best Planter)

by Becky Decker and Anita Shan · July 31, 2024

If you already have a peace lily thriving beautifully, you likely know the essentials for growing it. However, if you’re unfamiliar with these, let me tell you that the key to optimal growth lies in the soil. Yes, you heard right!

In this article, you will learn how to choose the right soil, which is crucial for the overall health and development of your peace lily. I’ve covered everything you need to know to select and prepare the best soil for growing peace lilies.

To understand the importance of soil for a peace lily, let’s explore its basic requirements together.

Quick takeaways:

Peace lilies are the plant that thrives in their natural habitat of tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
The peace lily prefers to grow in warm, humid conditions and temperatures ranging from 65°F and 85°F.
They love to grow in bright, indirect sunlight while tolerating lower light levels but providing too much direct sunlight will scorch out the leaves.
Peace lilies do prefer consistently moist soil but avoid keeping them in waterlogged conditions.
Make sure to choose the right soil for plants that is important for their growth.
To provide quality growth, you need to develop perfect conditions that will have the best growth of plants.
The peace lily plant loves to thrive in proper soil and the right attention resulting in becoming stronger and more capable of absorbing water and nutrients.

The Composition of the Best Soil for Peace Lilies:

Here are some compositions of the best soil that will help the peace lilies to grow:

Essential Nutrients for Peace Lilies:

Peace lilies do love to grow in a balanced mix of essential nutrients which will help in the growth and flowering of peace lilies.
You need to provide the soil with a supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, including the elements such as iron and magnesium.
The perfect way to provide nutrients to peace lily is by using a high-quality, slow-release fertilizer that is made for houseplants.
Make sure to give Peace Lily a steady supply of nutrients at the perfect time.

The Role of pH in Peace Lily Soil:

Maintaining the soil’s pH level is an important factor when selecting the soil to grow peace lilies.
The soil for growing peace lily should range from a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Make sure to check regularly the pH level of soil with the help of a pH testing kit in the garden.
When the soil gets too acidic, add agricultural lime or dolomite to raise the pH.
In case the soil is too alkaline, just add sulfur or acidic organic matter to lower the pH of the soil.

The Best Soil for Peace Lily (Ways to maintain and best soil mix)

Best Soil Mix growing Peace Lilies:

Although the peace lilies are the perfect beginner-friendly houseplant but still you need to select the perfect soil for growing them.
The peace lilies are technically an aroid, not a lily that belongs to the family Araceae so you are required to choose soil and potting mix accordingly.
The peace lily loves to grow in a balanced soil that drains well and retains all moisture for keeping the soil evenly humid without getting waterlogged.
The peace lilies love a mix containing all aroids, and a lot of chunky components like perlite, orchid bark, pine bark, and peat moss.
For retaining water the mixture should have some organic matter containing acidic soil media with a 5.8 to 6.5 range of pH.
They love to grow in US agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and above.

Significance of A Proper Soil Mixture:

Using the right soil mix is important for a house plant because the root is limited to the pot as a substrate from which the plant grows and obtains nutrients. The roots are used to collect water, oxygen, and nutrients provided in the soil which go to the stem and leaves that help the plants to grow leaves and lovely flowers.

To grow peace lilies it’s important to use the right soil mix in which only some of the plants have the same soil mix such as cactus soil and succulent soil mix. If you use improper soil mix the peace lily could stunt its growth and will hard to bloom flower. Just make sure to use the soil mix for peace lily that is appropriate for the roots that help them to absorb the nutrients that are necessary for healthy and productive plants.

Well keeping aside the nutrients from the soil is very important for managing other needs also such as the location where it gets bright indirect light, regularly watering the soil, and feeding the plant with fertilizer once a month to promote the growth of the plant. Make sure to maintain the ideal soil composition which will prevent pests from getting attacked to peace lily.

Wrong Potting Soil Problems:

Make sure to check the soil before planting which adjusting and improving is important for healthy growth.
Just remember fertilizing the plant that is not growing well is not the basic solution.
All these reasons do cause problems with the soil.

Capacity for Holding Water:

The potted soil in a container is used to dry faster than faster soil or garden soil.
Providing pots with too much water will create problems that result in stagnant water, erosion, and nutrient loss.
Make sure to choose a mixture containing water that is neither too wet nor too dry and both situations do result in poor plant growth.
Try adding organic sphagnum peat moss for growing peace lily which is further used in many commercial potting soils due to its capacity of holding water.

Aeration:

The aeration helps soil oxidation, lowers compaction, and makes the roots absorb the right amount of nutrients and get widespread.
If aeration is not sufficient the plant will result to die due to lack of oxygen.
You need to enhance aeration by adding sand, perlite, or vermiculite which will assist in resolving the issue for heavy potting mix.

Drainage:

Drainage is also a factor that affects plant health when the water flows out of the pot.
Peace lilies require good drainage in the soil to filter out large amounts of water.
Maximum plants will die when the roots become submerged in water.
If you use decomposing organic potting mixes it will compact the soil and interfere with drainage.
Make sure water drains properly, by having weeping holes large enough to drain away the water.

Soil pH level:

The soil’s pH depends on the nutrient interacting with one another.
If the peace lily experiences any issues due to the pH of the potting soil when it’s highly acidic like sphagnum peat moss.
The plant getting incorrect pH levels will stunt plant growth, burn the plant, or will result in killing the plant.

Overcoming Soil Drainage Issues:

When the peace lily gets water pooling on the surface of the soil it indicates signs of root rot and poor drainage.
To address the issue, make sure to remove the plant from the pot and check out the root thoroughly.
Just trim out any mushy or rotten roots and help the peace lily by repotting in fresh, well-draining soil.
Make sure the pot does have proper drainage holes to prevent any future drainage issues.

Addressing Nutrient Deficiencies in Soil:

When the peace lily leaves start to turn yellow or pale it all be a sign of nutrient deficiency.
You need to apply balanced houseplant fertilizer, which is mentioned in the instructions.
Ensure don’t over-fertilize the peace lily it will damage the plant’s roots.
You need to test the pH levels and adjust the plant fertilizing need to maintain nutrient availability.
After understanding the importance of soil for growing peace lily, just make sure to select the right soil mix that results in thriving and flourishing plants.
Make sure to provide the peace lily with the ideal climate and light conditions.
You need to monitor the soil moisture level and nutrient content and with little care and attention, the peace lily will grow with lush foliage and stunning blooms.

Different Types of Soil for Peace Lilies:

When it comes to soil types, here are two main options for growing peace lily such as organic and inorganic soil.

Organic Soil and Peace Lilies:

The organic soil is also known as potting soil or potting mix.
It does consist of natural materials like compost, peat moss, and vermiculite or perlite.
Using organic soil helps in excellent drainage, moisture retention, and aeration, all these make it perfect for growing peace lily.
Using organic soil releases nutrients, and provides a steady supply to the plant.
Using organic soil does help to build a healthy microbial community in the soil which promotes root growth with overall plant health.

Inorganic Soil and Peace Lilies:

Using Inorganic or synthetic soil, such as a well-draining soilless mix is the next option for growing peace lilies.
Here the soil is made up of materials like perlite, vermiculite, and/or coconut coir.
The inorganic soil used to drains well and is less prone to any compaction over time.
Using inorganic soil is sterile nature which result in reduces the risk of soil-borne disease.
Using them will provide excellent aeration for the roots and will prevent the situation of waterlogging resulting in peace lily roots remaining healthy.

How to Prepare the Soil Mix for Peace Lilies:

I guess now you’re familiar with all different types of soils, it’s time to prepare the perfect soil mix for growing peace lilies:

Step-by-Step Ways to Mixing Soil:

Choose a suitable pot or container having drainage holes at the bottom that allow excess water to escape, preventing waterlogging.
It’s time to fill the pot with a well-draining soil mix such as an organic potting mix or a soilless mix.
Select to add slow-release fertilizer to the soil mix by following all instructions mentioned in the package.
Make sure to mix the soil and fertilizer to ensure even distribution.
You can also add additional organic matter like compost or aged manure to the soil mix for growing nutrient content.

Tips for Maintaining Soil Quality:

Here are some tips you can follow for maintaining the soil quality:

To avoid compacting the soil by gently press the soil down which results in packing it tightly.
Remember to monitor the moisture levels regularly and water the peace lily if you feel the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch.
You can use a tray or saucer under the pot to catch excess water and prevent the plant from sitting in the soil.
Repot the peace lily every 1-2 years by refreshing the soil to provide fresh nutrients.

The best container for growing Peace Lily:

Yes, with choosing the best soil, it really important to choose the proper type of pot for providing and assisting the soil for healthy growth. There are various pots with different materials that possess different qualities in wet and well-draining soil.

Growing the peace lily in the appropriate pot will provide sufficient drainage and hold the right amount of moisture. Although there are a few important things you need to consider while choosing a pot to grow peace lilies such as how often you water them, the temperature, and the locations where you keep the plant.

1. Plastic Pots:

Talking about plastic pots, they are lightweight, sturdy, and flexible, but they don’t endure as long as resin-based planters.
They are inexpensive and widely available on the market.
The benefit of using is it that, you can use them again once the peace lily is outgrown.

Drawbacks of using plastic pots:

The drawback here comes with moisture retention because it is used to hold water for a long time which causes rotting to the peace lily roots.
When they are compared to other pots the plastic planter retains moisture for a much longer time. So, using plastic is a safer option when you don’t remember to water peace lily. Plastic pots are the lowest option when you consider price important.

2. Terra Cotta Pots:

Growing peace lilies in terra cotta pots will make the potting soil dry up more rapidly and it’s more dangerous in terms of overwatering.
The peace lily prefers underwater rather than overwatered which is its native habitat.
Using clay pots with porous nature will be efficient drainage of excess rainwater from the soil so here place them in dry and hot weather that makes it dry out more quickly and when the pot appears dry just water the plant.
Using terra cotta is an excellent choice for growing peace lily which is best for measuring and maintaining moisture levels.
Here the plant requires adequate drainage and is susceptible to root rot.
You can use a terra cotta pot is best for both indoor plants and outside in which you can carry the pot inside during the winter.

3. Ceramic pots:

If you are living in hotter areas using ceramic pots is excellent for growing peace lilies.
They are not able to absorb moisture like terracotta pots because of their non-porous.
They are more prone to root rot and fungal growth which is good to use for the gardeners who water the plant infrequently.
The ceramic pots are found in a wide range of colors and styles that will give a decorative item.
Just make sure it has drainage holes in which be careful to shatter the ceramic while drilling the plant.

4. Wooden pots:

The wooden containers are made of natural material that is good for peace lily.
The cost of wooden pots cost more than ordinary pots.
The wooden pot does give the home a more natural and native look.
The wooden pots are biodegradable which makes them utilize improperly.
It will fit in your garden anyway but make sure it does have a drainage hole.

5. Concrete pots:

Using concrete pots is good for growing potted plants is good as they are porous and allow moisture to pass through them.
Growing peace lilies outside is a good choice in colder, windier conditions because it is hard to tip over.
It does contain lime which is combined with water that raises the soil’s pH level which is hazardous for many plants that prefer acidic soils.

6. Metal pots:

The metal pot used to get rust that causes oxidation to occur at the bottom of the plant due to excessive heat outside will burn and harm the soil and the plant that is grown in it.
The metal pot is rarely seen when compared with other pots.
It is durable and will last for longer but not consider good for growing peace lily.
Growing in metal pots is too risky for outside and inside plant health.

Potting And Repotting Peace Lily:

Yes, repotting is the perfect time to replace the peace lily soil with a new soil mix. In case you already have a good potting mix and containers, you need to change with time but make sure to relocate the pot after it starts to get too firmly rooted because here the plant will fill the pot and the soil which will be difficult for the peace lilt to get nutrients and water.

Make sure they can absorb adequate amounts of moisture and nutrients to keep the plant alive. For that, move the peace lily into a larger pot which should be done in the early spring. While repotting the peace lily, ensure it has a small size increase that should be 2 inches larger than the old pot. The overlarge pot will result in overwatering and while repotting peace lily make sure to use fresh potting soil.

Ways to Repot Peace Lily:

You can easily repot the peace lily by moistening the soil to make it easier to take out the plant outside of the pot. Here are some steps for repotting Peace Lily:

You need to get water to moisten the soil in which the peace lily will absorb water and soil absorb moisture so before you remove the plant first inspect the root for any signs of damage.
After taking the plant out, if you find any wet roots make sure to take them off.
Now you need to fill a pot halfway with loose, fresh potting soil in which select the pot that is one size larger than the current pot size.
The next step is to water the soil to make it moist but not soggy.
It’s time to place the pot in a warm location getting a filtered light.

Conclusion:

You need to give peace lily with proper care and need to make it look beautiful and last longer in which you need to select the appropriate soil for the plant that is necessary for plant growth. To grow a peace lily you need to choose the ideal soil mixture and pot that is most crucial depending on the place you live and the condition of the environment.

Make sure the soil is well-draining, has lots of nutrients, and consists of enough potholes. With soil other needs of peace, lily include providing bright indirect light, watering it regularly, and feeding with the best fertilizer. When you provide the plant with proper care, you will need abundant, beautiful blooms and leaves.