The peace lily is a house plant belonging to the scientific genus family Spathiphyllum. The peace lily is a plant native to tropical regions like America and southeastern Asia.
It is a beautiful plant containing lush green leaves, a singular resplendent white leaf, and a budding stem. The white leaf hoods the stem and acts as a protective barrier.
Peace lilies are beautiful plants commonly called closet or houseplants. This is because they are easy to take care of and widely used for interior decoration in offices and houses. However, despite being low-maintenance, many ask why does my peace lily has holes in the leaves.
The two-toned look of a peace lily makes it subtle yet eye-catching by allowing monochrome looks using white and just a dash of color with deep green.
Peace lilies are well kept indoors and boost happy hormones in the body. This article will tell you all about taking care of peace lilies and the possible causes of problems in their health, like holes in peace lily leaves.
Peace Lily Care
Peace lilies make excellent houseplants for offices, rooms, and even desks; their various benefits are just the cherry on top.
While peace lilies are quite low maintenance, it is advisable to be aware of their requirements to take care of them properly.
For novice plant owners, the most common mistake is made in watering; they are either overwater or underwater. Peace lilies are more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering and can go without water for long periods.
Water your plant once every one to two weeks. Pro tip- check the dampness of the soil before watering. If the soil is dry, water; if not, wait for a day or two more to allow the soil to dry out completely.
Peace lilies are very drought tolerant, so don’t be scared and water only when the soil is dry. Prevent overwatering in all cases.
Also Read: How Long Can a Peace Lily Go Without Water?
Fertilizer
These plans don’t need to be fertilized frequently, fertilized with a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year to keep the plant healthy.
During summers, fertilize once every six weeks to encourage growth as this is when the plant is active. Fertilize from spring to fall and never during winters as the plant is dormant then.
Light
Peace lilies are native to tropical areas like those in South-Eastern Asia. They enjoy warm weather and don’t do well in cold and drafty environments.
Keep your peace lily in a place that receives adequate, indirect sunlight/ artificial light. They do well in low light. Keep the peace lily in temperatures above 16 degrees Celsius.
Please keep it away from cold air and drafty windows as it is sensitive to cold.
Cleaning
Peace lily has lush, deep green leaves that add a burst of color to any room. Some might even go as far as to say that the green leaves are much more attractive than the white ones.
Keeping the leaves clean is crucial as it keeps away pests and insects and maintains their shine. Regularly use a damp cloth to wipe down the leaves gently.
Don’t use industrial cleaners as they can suffocate the leaves. If the leaves are too dirty, place them under running water to get rid of the dust.
Repotting
An owner knows when their plant needs repotting. It starts to droop, the roots grow out of drainage holes, and the plants start to look too big for their pot.
You can report your peace lily by shifting it to an enormous container or dividing it into two and using two small containers. For the first option, transfer the root ball and for the second, cut the root ball in the middle and shift one part to a new pot.
Also Read: Why Peace Lily Flower Turning Yellow?
Tips for ensuring a healthy peace lily-
- Keep away from cold
- Keep in low, indirect light
- Repot when it grows too big
- Don’t overwater
- Check the soil before watering
- Fertilize 2-3 times a year
- Wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth regularly
- Check regularly for any problems that might be arising like yellow leaves, holes in leaves, etc
- Prevent zero blooms, fungus, dusty leaves, yellow leaves, and brown edges
Holes in Peace Lily Leaves
Peace lilies are beautiful plants known for their shiny leaves, a straight stem, and a singular resplendent white leaf hooding the stem. Unfortunately, the peace lily is more famous for its beauty than for its benefits.
However, despite being easy to take care of, peace lilies can become unhealthy and show signs of stress and problems like brown leaves, yellow leaves, or holes in leaves.
Holes in the eye-catching leaves of a peace lily are hurtful and point towards signs of stress.
What causes holes in peace lily leaves?
Let’s look at the causes of holes in the leaves of peace lilies.
Insects
Insects called liriomyza melanogaster, present in the soil, are the primary and most common cause of holes in the leaves of a peace lily.
These insects are known as leaf-mining flies; they tunnel through the leaves and cause damage to the plant. Liriomyza melanogaster is a type of pest that causes holes in the leaves.
It can be tough to spot these insects, but one can find small holes in the leaves caused by them on closer inspection. This is because they start as spot diseases and quickly escalate to big holes.
To prevent pests and save your plant, spray some insecticide like a neem oil spray to ward off pests. Alternatively use. Strong fungicide if the pest has spread.
Some natural insecticides are-
- Soapy water
- Neem oil spray
- Garlic
- Beer
- Pepper spray
- Herbal water spray
- Alcohol spray
- Pyrethrum spray
Also Read: What Causes Holes In Pepper Plant Leaves?
How Can You Prevent Holes in Peace Lily Leaves
Holes in peace lily leaves are caused by pests and insects that eat the leaves, weaken the plant and cause holes. Insects can be fatal for plants and must be dealt with swiftly. Here are ways to prevent pests-
Clean leaves
Dirt and microbes on the leaves are a magnet for pests, and so the first step in preventing pests is to keep them clean and devoid of dust.
Use a damp cloth to gently wipe down the leaves or place them under running water once a week.
Insecticides
Use insecticides once a month to deter insects and pest infestation. It is advisable to use natural insecticides as these are gentle on the plant. Pro tip- use neem oil.
Take proper care
Take proper care of the last by giving it adequate light, water, space, and fertilizer. An amalgamation of factors ensures the health of any plant.
Peace lilies will stay healthy and devoid of pests when proper steps are taken to ensure good health.
Also Read: Why Is My Fiddle Leaf Dropping Leaves?
Benefits of the peace lily
Most people own peace lilies for their beauty and high aesthetic value, and few are aware of the multiple health benefits they have. Let’s have a look-
- They purify the air of harmful chemicals
- They prevent mildew formation by absorbing excess moisture
- They absorb acetone and ammonia vapors
- Peace lilies avoid the formation of mold and spores
- They promote a restful sleep
- They aid in combating insomnia
- They are not at all harmful to pets