Are you planning to divide your peace lily? Perhaps you are looking for a new pot to repot your Spathiphyllum plant. Whatever the reason, it is important to select the right pot for your peace lily.
Generally, peace lilies prefer a pot that is about 2-3 inches wider than their root ball. Regardless of the material, the pot must have drainage holes to drain excess water and prevent root rot.
However, beyond these general guidelines, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing the best container for your peace lily.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of pots available and help you choose the best option for your plant.
- Consideration when choosing a pot for your peace lily
- Recommended pot size
- The best pot material for peace lily
- Other frequently asked questions
Let’s get started!
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Considerations When Choosing a Pot for Your Peace Lily
When it comes to selecting a pot for your peace lily, there are a few key factors to keep in mind.
These include your watering habits, the temperature of your home, and the location where you plan to keep the plant.
Choose the right material based on your watering habit
If you are like me and have a tendency to overwater your plants by watering them too frequently, it is best to choose a container made from a porous material.
Porous materials, such as terracotta, clay, or unsealed concrete, help to wick away excess moisture from the roots and prevent root rot.
Conversely, if you tend to forget to water your peace lily and let them dry out for prolonged periods, it is best to choose a non-porous material, such as plastic or glazed terracotta.
Non-porous materials help to retain moisture around the roots and prevent the plant from drying out too quickly.
| Watering Habit | Peace Lily Conditions | Recommended Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Over-waterer | • Soil too wet for too long (waterlogged soil) • Tends to develop root rot • Peace lily leaves turning yellow | • Terracotta • Unsealed concrete |
| Under-waterer | • Dehydrated as water in the soil evaporated and used up • Leaf tips turn brown • Peace lily leaves droops • Flower never bloom | • Plastic • Glazed terracotta |
The temperature in your home
When selecting a pot for your peace lily, it is also important to consider the temperature in your home.
In hot climates, the moisture in the soil evaporates quickly, and using porous pots can cause the soil to dry out too quickly.
In this case, it is best to use pots made from non-porous materials, such as plastic or glazed terracotta. Light colors can also help to reflect heat and keep the roots cooler.
While in cold climates, the soil tends to stay moist for longer periods. Using non-porous pots can cause the roots to stay too wet and lead to root rot.
It also helps to use black pots as they absorb heat and help to keep the roots warmer.
| Temperature | Peace Lily Conditions | Recommended Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Climate | • Water in the soil evaporate faster • Increase moisture loss via transpiration • Temperature around the roots increase | • Plastic • Glazed terracotta |
| Cold Climate | • Water stays in the soil longer • Increase possibility of root rot | • Terracotta • Unsealed concrete |
The location of your plant
Finally, it is important to consider the location of your plant when picking a pot.
If you plan to keep your peace lily indoors, you can control the environment and choose any type of pot.
However, if you plan to keep your plant outdoors, it is important to consider the weather conditions in your area.
For example, in windy areas, it is best to use pots with a heavy base to prevent them from toppling over.
In areas with extreme temperature changes, it is best to pick a pot that you can easily move indoors or into a protected area.
The Most Important Consideration: Drainage
One of the most important considerations when choosing a pot for your peace lily is drainage.
Regardless of the material, the pot must have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out and prevent root rot.
If possible, choose a pot with multiple drainage holes. This will help to ensure that excess water can drain out quickly and prevent the roots from sitting in water.
Now that we’ve discussed the different factors to consider when choosing a pot for your peace lily, let’s discuss how big of a pot you will need.
Recommended Pot Size for Peace Lily
You want to give your peace lilies’ roots enough room to spread out without being rootbound. This ensures that they can take up enough moisture and nutrients to support the plant.
For a young peace lily, start with a 4-inch (10 cm) pot, and as you repot it, increase the pot size by 2 inches (5 cm).
In any case, the plant won’t need a pot larger than 10 inches. This is because it is better to divide it into two smaller pots to make it look more attractive.
Problems with Oversized Pot
When first starting, you may be tempted to choose a pot that is too large for your peace lily, thinking that this will give the roots more room to grow.
However, this is not the case, and an oversized pot can actually lead to problems.
Since the root ball is much smaller than the pot, the roots will not be able to reach all of the soil space around it. This area will stay saturated, wet, and soggy, which creates the perfect conditions for root rot to occur.
In addition, an oversized pot is much heavier and can be difficult to move. This can make it difficult if you need to move your plant outdoors or into a protected area during extreme weather conditions.
Problems with Pot that is too small
On the other hand, if you choose a pot that is too small, the roots will quickly become root-bound.
This means that the roots will wrap around the inside of the pot and begin to form a dense mass. When this happens, the plant will have difficulty taking up moisture and nutrients from the soil, which can lead to stunted growth.
How do you know if your plant is root-bound?
You can start by checking to see if the roots are growing out of the drainage holes. If they are, this is a sign that the roots are too crowded and need more space.
You can confirm the roots of your plant are root-bound by carefully removing it from the pot. The presence of tightly packed roots indicates that the plant is root-bound and needs to be repotted right away.
Does the height of the pot matter?
Based on the theory of perched water tables, tall pots can be used to improve the air-to-water ratio and allow better gas exchange.
However, using a pot that is too tall can look disproportionate and make the plant more susceptible to toppling over.
The best way to determine the ideal pot height for your peace lily is to divide the height of the plant by two. For example, if your peace lily is 12 inches (30 cm) tall, you would want to use a pot that is 6 inches (15 cm) tall.
The Best Pot Material for Peace Lily
Now that we’ve discussed the different factors to consider when choosing a pot for your peace lily, let’s discuss the best materials to use.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the pot must have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out and prevent root rot.
With that being said, here are some of the best pot materials to use for peace lilies:
1. Terracotta
Terracotta is a type of clay that is commonly used to make pots and planters. It is an excellent material for peace lilies because it is porous, which allows excess water to evaporate quickly.
In addition, terracotta pots can help to regulate the temperature of the soil, which is beneficial for peace lilies that are sensitive to extreme temperatures.
The only con of using terracotta pots is that they sometimes weather over time.
2. Plastic
Plastic pots are also a good option for peace lilies. They are lightweight and inexpensive, and they tend to retain moisture better than other materials like terracotta.
3. Glazed Ceramic
Glazed ceramic pots are another good option for peace lilies in hotter climates. They are non-porous, which means they will retain moisture better than terracotta pots.
In addition, glazed ceramic pots come in a wide variety of colors and designs, which can add a decorative touch to your home.
4. Metal
Metal pots are not as common as other materials, but they can be a good option for peace lilies. They are durable and typically have a more modern look.
5. Concrete
For peace lilies growing outside in colder, windier climates, concrete pots are a reliable option. Their weight makes them hard to tip over. Additionally, concrete is a porous material, so excess water will evaporate quickly.
6. Wooden
Wooden pots are another option to consider. They are generally more expensive than other materials, but they can add a natural touch to your home.
Keep in mind that wooden pots are not as durable as other materials and they may rot if they are constantly exposed to moisture.
Whichever type of pot you choose, make sure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a decorative pot without a drainage hole
You can still use a decorative pot without drainage holes, but you’ll need to take some extra steps to prevent root rot.
The best way to do this is to place the peace lily in a plastic grow pot that has drainage holes. Then, place the grow pot inside the decorative pot.
This will allow excess water to drain out of the grow pot and prevent the roots of your peace lily from sitting in water.
Also, make sure to empty the decorative pot of any water that has collected in the bottom after watering.
Are self-watering pots good for peace lilies?
Self-watering pots are perfect for peace lily plants, since these pots have a reservoir of water that slowly releases water to the plants, making sure the plants receive even watering.
But there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, your peace lily needs to have its root established in the self-watering pot before you start using it. This means that you’ll need to water your plant manually for a few weeks until the roots have taken hold of the pot.
Second, make sure to check the reservoir regularly and refill it as needed. Personally, I tend to forget about self-watering pots, so I like to set a reminder on my phone to check the reservoir every week.
Can I put a peace lily in a hanging basket?
Peace lilies are popular choices for indoor hanging plants because of their air-purifying qualities and their ability to thrive in low-light conditions.
When choosing a hanging basket, you can choose any type of material, as long as it has drainage holes.
I prefer to use coconut fiber, peat or sphagnum moss, and landscaping fabric as they look more natural and they allow water to drain out more easily.
Where to Buy Planter Pot for Peace Lily
When you’re looking for the perfect pot for your peace lily, you can find a wide variety of options online or at your local garden center.
Here are a few of my favorite places to buy pots for peace lilies:
• Etsy is a great place to find unique, handmade pots.
• Amazon has a wide variety of options, including self-watering pots and hanging baskets.
• Local garden centers typically have a good selection of pots, including plastic, terracotta, and ceramic options.
It is worth noting that when you buy your pots online, you’ll need to factor in the cost of shipping. While if you buy pots from a local garden center, you won’t have to worry about shipping costs but you are limited to what they have in stock.