As spring begins, your garden is finally waking up – and so are many of your houseplants. After months spent battling chilly temperatures and feeble winter light, March is the time when plenty of plants are on the brink of blooming once again, and when it comes to peace lilies, March is a particularly pivotal month.
It's important to feed your peace lily, giving it enough sustenance to help it thrive throughout the spring.
According to experts in peace lily care, now is also the time to examine the roots of your peace lily, check for pests, and potentially even repot it. If you're looking for a complete guide to caring for a peace lily this March, read on for our best tips. (And if you haven't added one to your houseplant collection yet, you can pick up an elegant peace lily plant from Fast Growing Trees for under $45.)
1. Feed it Generously
March is a crucial transition period that bridges the gap between those final winter days and the promise of spring. With this in mind, your peace lily will be about to bloom – so it's time to start feeding it.
'By March, peace lilies are getting ready to put on another dazzling display,' says Tenielle Jordison, Gardens Content Editor at H&G. 'You may spot new flower spikes starting to emerge, alongside lush new foliage.'
As your peace lily prepares to burst into life once again, 'one of the most important things to do this month is to start feeding it,' advises Tenielle.
'I like to use a diluted liquid peace lily fertilizer for an instant boost of essential plant nutrients, applying it once a month.' (If you want to stock up, try this multi-purpose fertilizer concentrate from Amazon.)
2. Check For Pests
March might be a big month for peace lilies, but it's also a brilliant time to perform a few simple checks before yours really comes to life (usually around April).
'I always check for houseplant pests at the start of spring,' says Tenielle. 'With leafy plants like peace lilies, it’s important to look underneath the leaves where pests like spider mites and mealybugs like to hide.'
If you do spot any pests, you may need to remove the leaves.
'Isolate the plant, remove severely infested leaves with sharp houseplant snips, and treat your peace lily accordingly,' recommends Tenielle. (The Fiskars 2" plant snips from Target are a high-quality but budget-friendly option, if you're looking for some new tools.)
3. Take a Look at the Roots
While you're devoting time to inspecting your peace lily, it's worth taking a look at the roots.
A common peace lily mistake is overwatering during winter – when growth naturally slows down – and underwatering in summer. The most effective solution? Paying attention to soil moisture and ensuring that enough water reaches the roots. (A soil meter, like this one from Walmart, is a handy investment, as well as a humidity tray like this one from Amazon.)
Plus, if you're worried about growth, the roots of your peace lily could let you know when it's time to switch things up.
'It might be that your lily has become pot-bound and doesn’t have a lot of room to grow,' says Tenielle. 'Any roots sticking out of drainage holes are a key sign of this.'
4. Repot if Needed
If your peace lily has, in fact, outgrown its container, March provides the perfect opportunity to re-pot.
'I typically find that peace lilies need repotting every couple of years, and early spring is the ideal time to do it,' says Tenielle. 'Gently lift it from its pot, tease the roots apart to loosen them, and repot your peace lily into a planter 1-2 inches larger than its current pot.'
If you want to treat yourself to a new pot, go for something like this floral ceramic planter from Wayfair; with a 6.5-inch diameter, it's a brilliant size for peace lilies.
What to Shop
Coming in under $15, this is one of the most affordable peace lily plants you can add to your collection. Spend $35 and you can get free delivery at IKEA – I'd throw in the beige Sandkorsbar plant pot, too.
This 12-piece mini tool set is a must-have for houseplant enthusiasts. It comes with its own canvas bag, and it's a great gift, too. Dig, plant and repot to your heart's content.
Give your peace lilies some extra care with this specialized potting soil mix. It's well-draining, 100% natural, and it's packed with nutrients to encourage beautiful blooms.
Looking for more peace lily tips? Check out our guide on how to water a peace lily, so that you can keep your plant well-hydrated – especially as spring and summer approach.
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