Category: Houseplants

Peace lilies (scientific name-spathiphyllum) are popularly known as closet plants as they can grow indoors in offices and homes. Peace lilies are a type of tropical house plant which is easy to take care of.They make a fantastic option for house plants and add a hint of brightness in offices and homes. They add some texture to the room and also clean the air of the room.

House lilies have dark green leaves and white flowers; however, their discerning feature is a white leaf bract that grows hooded over the flowers.

How long can a peaceful lily go without water?

Are you a new plant parent and need help deciding on a watering schedule, or are you going out of the station without anyone to water your plants?Don’t worry; below, we have provided the approximate watering schedule and how long water lilies can survive without water.

Are you wondering how long houseplants can go without water? Most houseplants can live up to 2-3 weeks without water and need little to medium sunlight to survive. However, these needs can change from plant to plant and the weather at your place.

Here are the factors that influence the water needs of houseplants-

• Plant type
• Plant size
• Plant age
• Growing medium and condition
• Indoor conditions-light, temperature, humidity 
• Regional climate
• Season of the year
• Current weather
• Pot size and material 
• Growing phase

Peace lilies should be watered approximately every 5-7 days to ensure good health. They can survive for about 10-12 days without water maximum; they would wilt any more than this.

Watering schedule-once every 5-7 days

Can go without water for 10-12 days

Also Read: Why Are the Leaves on My Christmas Cactus Limp (Drooping Leaves)?

What would happen to a plant without water?

A plant will die without water. Plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to process their food (photosynthesis), and if not watered, they wouldn’t be able to function or process food and thus die.

Water is also needed to make a plant’s tissue called turgor rigid. Turgor uses water to keep the plants upright. Lack of water will weaken the turgor, and the plant would droop and wilt.

If a plant is not watered for a more extended time, the roots would be affected, and the plant may never recover. 

Also Read: Mold on Microgreens

Peace lily plant care

Now that you know plant lilies’ water needs let talk about some more tips for taking good care of your closet plants.

Water

A widespread and beginner mistake in taking care of houseplants like plant lilies is over watering. Houseplants like water lilies are way more tolerant of under watering than over watering.

Peace lilies are closet plants; they need little light and little water to survive. Water lilies are very drought tolerant and cannot handle over watering.

A quick way to check if your peace lily needs water is to touch its soil once a week; if it is damp, do not water, and if the soil is dry, water the peace lily. This method will prevent over watering.

Light

Peace lilies need indirect sunlight. If the leaves turn yellow, it is a sign that the plant is getting too much light.

Fertilizer

Like water, peace lilies do not need frequent fertilizing. Fertilizing them with a good and balanced fertilizer once to twice a year will be enough. Summer months are the best for fertilizing.

Repotting

Peace lilies would also benefit from reporting or dividing when they have outgrown their pots/containers. Signs peace lily needs repotting-

• Dropping less than a week after being watered 
• Crowded leaf growth
• Deformed leaf growth

If you are repotting your plant lily, use a container that is at least. Inches bigger than the previous container. On the other hand, if you are dividing, use a knife to cut through the middle of the root ball and repeat each part in its container.

Cleaning

Peace lilies leaves can be a dust magnet. Not to exaggerate, but peace lilies can accumulate a lot of dust. You would need to wipe down the leaves or wash them lightly to get rid of the dust. This will also lead to better sunlight absorption.

Use a damp cloth to wipe down the leaves or wash them, placing them underwater till the leaves get rid of the dust. Don’t use commercial leaf shine oviducts as they can clog the pores of leaves and be damaging. 

Why you must have a peace lily in your home?

Peace lilies are great indoor plants and especially for those who like flowering plants without the usual hassle. They need little care, purify the air, and bloom beautifully.

Here are some reasons why you must have a peace lily-

#1 Air purifier

Peace lilies quite literally act as an air purifier. There are many pollutants present in homes, from dust to carbon monoxide, plant lilies clean them.

Harmful pollutants can cause many health problems, but cobra plants like peace lilies clean the air. According to a study by NASA, peace lilies absorb pollutants like xylene, benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde up to 60%.

#2 Easy to maintain

Peace lilies are not just a treat for the eyes but also are low maintenance. They need indirect sunlight and need to be watered only once a week. Plus, they don’t need to be regularly fertilized. 

Anyone with a busy schedule or a forgetful nature can take care of it. Peace lilies work better with underwatering than overwatering, so even if you forget to water it, peace lilies will continue to thrive.

#3 Better Sleep

If you are an insomniac or have been facing trouble sleeping, consider getting a peace lily. It is beautiful to look at, filters the indoor air, and increases the level of humidity, helping one breathe better. 

It absorbs airborne mold spores that can cause allergies and aid in good Sleep. Its beauty is set to bring calmness and alleviate feelings of stress. It adds positive energy to the room.

#4 Spruce up the decor

Houseplants like ace lilies are perfect to spruce up the decor of your 

Room/house or office. Need some color in the room-get a peace lily, want to fill an empty space-peace lily, want to give a sophisticated look-peace lily it is.

The peace lily is chanting to look at, especially its white cage leaves, which are a perfect contrast to the deep green ones.

#5 Prevent mildew

High moisture content can lead to mildew and a moldy smell. Mold is susceptible to the kitchen, bathroom, and washrooms. Peace lily will prevent mold in high moisture areas.

Peace lilies absorb extra moisture from the surroundings and prevent dampness that could have caused mildew.

#6 Remove dust

Are you troubled by fine dust? Get a peace lily; they are dust magnets and accumulate all of the fine dust in the room on their leaves. Occasionally clean the leaves with a damp cloth or by washing them.

Conclusion

Peace lilies are a type of houseplants that need little maintenance. They need to be watered once a week and go up to 12 days without water. It is good to check if it needs watering by touching the soil; if damp, don’t water; if dry water.

Cactus, whenever we hear something about cactus, our mind transfers us into a desert- like region that is filled with sand and has no sign of water anywhere. However, some of you might be surprised to know that the Christmas cacti differs from other species in a unique way.

That is, it is a native of, and hails from the Brazilian rain forests and thus significantly differs from its counterparts in the light, temperature, and watering needs. In fact, another interesting fact is that you can grow these beautiful Christmas cacti in your own backyard too.

However, problems like “why are the leaves on my Christmas cactus limp”, or “how to solve the problem of decaying Christmas cactus” might see a dramatic rise as you decide to grow them yourselves. 

But, do not worry, we will address your Christmas cactus issues as and when they arise. In the preceding article, the causes and prevention tips regarding limping of Christmas cactus leaves would be thoroughly discussed and brought to light. 

Without further ado, let us begin. 

Also Read: Mold on Microgreens: How to Prevent Them?

Causes of Christmas cactus limp

Improper Watering

Improper watering refers to over watering here. It is not advised to over water a Christmas cactus at all. That is right, if you are doing it, then you might as well be compelling them to droop and limp, when they are not wanting to. 

Originating from the tropical region, some might expect Christmas cactus to demand more water. To some extent, it is true. They need more moisture than their counterparts to grow, but that does not apply to the overall watering techniques.

More water can either directly promote leaf drooping, or contribute to rotting of roots, which indirectly leads to leaf limping. Further, under watering also remains a big no-no. So, how can one identify the ideal watering measures?

Ideally, it is suggested to water Christmas cactus once every week close to the surface of the soil. In addition, you can also water your plant when the top layer of the soil becomes visibly or tactile dry.  

Poor drainage: Soil

If the soil you use for growing christmas cactus is poorly drained, then it might as well be another reason for your leaves drooping and limping. No extreme soil type is a good one. A soil that is either too dense or too compacted would not be appreciated by the plant. 

Instead, one should choose the kind of soil that is porous and promotes a well drained soil system. If you find your soil being compacted, then it is time for you to repot your soil to another pot with a fresh potting mixture and soil.

If you cannot find a porous and perlite soil, then create drainage holes in the pot to make way for ventilation. 

Temperature

Christmas cactus plants appreciate a moderate climate, that is, a weather that is neither too hot nor too cold. Their inclination is slightly biased in favour of warm temperatures though. Anything that falls in the temperature range of 21 to 27 degrees Celsius. 

Temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius do not support the good health of christmas cactus leaves, destroy them, and promote their ill condition. As a matter of fact, the plants can tolerate temperatures falling below 10 degrees Celsius, until and unless it is in the stage of budding. 

While natural temperature changes are common and accepted, sudden changes in temperature can be harmful to the plant, and so one should avoid that. One should remember this while shifting the plant position from indoors to outdoors or vice versa. 

Light 

Sunlight is a tricky requirement for christmas cactus leaves. This is because they need light, but not in the form of direct sunlight, instead an indirect and moderate sunlight ray. Summers produce a great problem, since they only bestow intense sunlight, and therefore one should make proper arrangements for shade to cover the plant whenever it is possible and required. 

If abundant light is  present directly on the leaves, then they shall droop down as soon as they can. 

Other reasons

The aforementioned reasons are primary, but they might not be all. Apart from this, other secondary reasons might also become a source of worry. One of them is root rot. If the root is decayed, it destroys its natural ability to absorb nutrients, thus resulting in a rapid limp of christmas cactus leaves. 

Further, improper use of fertilizers in inadequate proportion can also disable the thick and green leaves to stand erectly. One should always remain careful of how and where they place their christmas cactus plants. 

How to Get Rid of Christmas Cactus Leaf Limp?

Checking moisture levels

According to scientists and other credible sources, limping and drooping leaves are a sign of inadequate moisture provided to the plant. Therefore, we would begin our prevention journey from here. 

Wet, and soggy soil can contribute to limpy, wrinkled, and drooping leaves. You can curb this problem by making small drainage slots at the bottom of the pot, that gives a way for excess water to flow out. 

Excess water might also contribute to root rot, which is an indirect cause to limping leaves. Check your roots carefully for signs of root rot, and in case of any suspicion, move it to another pot with a fresh potting mixture. 

Further, over watering and under watering can also contribute to wilted leaves. Since each species of christmas cactus demands different water quantities, it is important to analyze the flowers of your cactus plant to determine how much water it needs. 

On an average, a christmas cactus plant should not be watered more than once a week, or in rare cases of when the top soil dries out excessively. 

Using the right soil

Carefully catering to the appropriate soil needs of a christmas cactus plant can save your leaves from drooping and wilting. A soil mixture that is airy and supports fast draining is believed to be the best soil for growing christmas cactus. 

You can make your own soil mixture for christmas cactus by mixing peat moss, perlite sand, and potting soil in equal proportions. If you want to save yourself some time, but not enough money, then you can also opt for buying commercially available soil. 

Waterlogged or compacted soil can become a hazard for cactus plants, making them hard to breath and survive. In such cases, change your soil and pot after the flowering process. 

Fertilizing

While most people do not mention this, it is important to consider the fertilising requirements for the Christmas cactus plants. A soluble fertilizer should be sprayed on the plant, at least once or twice each month. 

The most preferable time to fertilize them is considered to be late winters through summer seasons. It promotes good health and condition of the plant and keeps it steady and away from pests for longer time durations. 

Temperature

Moderate and humid environments are what a christmas cactus plant seeks for. If you use a dehumidifier for other plants in your backyard, then make sure to place your cactus pot far far away from that machine, because these plants strive for humidity, and so do their leaves. 

Further, shifting it to a cooler region immediately after it blooms, is suggested to prevent the leaves from getting wilted, and/or limped.

Light

If your leaves are wilted, check if the christmas cactus plant is placed immediately under straight direct and intense sunlight or not. Chances are, that it would be. Too much light is not good for the leaves, as well as the plant nutrition. 

Instead, try to place it in a shady region that also receives regular, but indirect sunlight. 

Additional Tips 

• The environment requires some humidity, so arrange the conditions accordingly. 
• Dropping off some buds every now and then is not a matter of concern. Do not take decisions in haste if something like this happens. 
• Do proper research for the variety of christmas cactus that you decide to purchase. Make sure to know the bloom time of each of those varieties, and prepare your apparatus accordingly.
• The plant should also be kept away from sources of direct heat that includes sources like fireplaces, or even a heating vent. 
• The air around the plant should not be kept too dry, especially during winters. Additionally, water should be provided keeping in mind the time and dryness considerations. 

Conclusion

Scientifically known as Schlumbergera buckleyi, Christmas cactus appear to be distinct from other of their dessert dwelling cousins and look gorgeous with blooming flowers and rich green leaves. Native to its tropical origin, the plant expects a replica of the situation wherever it is placed, in order for it to thrive and grow. 

Also known as holiday cactus and crab cactus, these are the most fascinating holiday plants that have become trendy in contemporary times. The aforementioned tips would assist you in providing maximum protection to your Christmas cactus leaves from limping, making them look absolutely phenomenal throughout. We guarantee you will get the solution for why is my christmas cactus dropping leaves. 

Turns out these easy to grow plants are not that easy to grow after all!