As the UK basks in a heatwave, keen gardeners are busily tending to their plots in a bid to achieve the most stunning displays as summer arrives. One particularly popular plant that flourishes between spring and autumn is the much-loved peace lily, though it requires very specific care tailored precisely to its needs.
Many passionate gardeners will no doubt have encountered the frustrating situation where their peace lily remains lush and green on the windowsill, yet stubbornly refuses to produce those sought-after, graceful white spathes. So what is the secret to getting your prized peace lilies to flower this spring? There is one natural household remedy that has proven remarkably effective on peace lilies that will not bloom.
The Natural Home Remedy to Make Peace Lilies Bloom
Most gardeners would rather steer clear of harsh chemicals on their houseplants, preferring natural techniques and approaches that are kinder to both the plant and the environment. One widely praised natural remedy that has gained considerable attention for its impressive results on non-flowering peace lilies involves watering the plant with a cup of raw rice water once a month.
Rice water is regarded as an outstanding natural fertiliser for peace lilies, as it provides moderate amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus - three nutrients that are absolutely vital for houseplants, assisting in stimulating flower production, encouraging foliage growth and supporting strong root development. It is also abundant in zinc, iron and sulphur - all extremely beneficial nutrients for plants when introduced to the soil in appropriate quantities.
It is crucial to guarantee the raw rice water solution stays completely free from oil, salt, or any type of seasoning, as these substances can prove damaging and detrimental to the peace lily's overall health. There is more positive news: rice water also provides modest amounts of minerals such as magnesium and B vitamins, which support the plant's energy production, leading to larger and more striking blooms, especially in peace lilies.
How to Use Rice Water to Make Peace Lilies Bloom
The approach is simple - add cold tap water to a cup of rice and rinse it carefully, using your hands or a spoon. You will instantly notice the water becoming cloudy, and that is exactly where the benefits are located. Once your rice has been washed, transfer the remaining solution into a cup or container, and use it to water your peace lilies once a month. Should the mixture seem too strong, you can always top it up with fresh water to dilute it. Be careful not to store your raw rice water for lengthy periods.
Tishana, gardener and founder of Coco and Seed, shares: "After you wash your rice, the water that is left back contains starches and minerals. The minerals contain trace macronutrients of NPK, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that help your plants grow."
Peace lilies appear to respond particularly well to rice-based treatments, as there is yet another rice-related method that causes "so many flowers explode" on these low-maintenance houseplants. On the popular YouTube channel Plant Tips, a houseplant and horticultural specialist demonstrated how blending rice flour with water can produce spectacular blooms on peace lilies.
The expert shared: "Amazing result, grow peace lily with one cup of rice flour, so many flowers explode." For this approach, one cup of rice flour must be combined with water until a thin, runny consistency is reached. This solution can then be used to wipe down the leaves of your peace lily, with any remaining mixture subsequently poured directly into the plant's compost.
Once again, it is absolutely vital to apply this natural, homemade remedy no more than once a month, as more regular use can prove severely harmful to your plant's health and overall wellbeing. The Plant Tips specialist was captured on camera watering their peace lily using the rice flour solution, even pouring it into a spray bottle to mist the plant's leaves directly.
Three months on, the expert unveiled the 'after' results, and the peace lily was abundantly full of blooms, appearing far healthier and more vigorous than the 'before' images displayed at the beginning of the clip. With both rice-based methods, it is essential to apply the natural fertiliser sparingly, no more than once a month, and when rice water is not being used, ordinary tap water or rainwater should be given to your treasured peace lily.
