Ruth’s plant was struggling and needed urgent help
Peace lilies are one of the most attractive and easiest houseplants to grow, so it is hardly surprising they are so popular. Set somewhere bright, but out of direct sunlight, where there are stable temperatures, and they will live for years. They are low-maintenance, requiring little more than a monthly feed and just enough water to keep their compost damp. However, when happy they grow fast and can soon outgrow their containers and start to fade a little.
Our peace lily has been looking sad for some time, with yellowing leaves and a tendency to droop, so I decided to re-pot it - and I’m glad I did. On sliding it from the container I saw that the plant was completely congested, the pot full of roots that were starting to circle themselves. This meant that it was unable to take up enough nutrients and moisture to help it thrive. The rootball was packed so tightly I had to use a clean, sharp knife to cut it into four pieces, which I replanted (two to a pot) with fresh container compost.
Houseplant compost is widely available, but I find general purpose or container compost just as good, and often cheaper. If you use multipurpose compost, add some fertiliser to give the plants an extra boost.
Pest control
Houseplants attract their fair share of pests, but because they live in a confined space I don’t need to use chemicals to control them. This is especially important if you have pets or small children around, or are prone to allergies or lung condition
