What plant is the peace lily, and when is the right time to divide it?
What plant is the peace lily? In fact, the peace lily refers to what we commonly call the white sail, and we call it the peace lily mainly because it has a white bract that looks like a sail. It is also an expert at filtering indoor exhaust gases, and it is somewhat effective against ammonia, acetone, benzene and formaldehyde. It began to be used as a potted ornamental plant in the early 20th century. So when should the peace lily be divided?
The peace lily can be propagated by division and by sowing. A vigorously growing plant can be divided about once every two years, generally in spring when repotting or after autumn. Division is very easy. Generally speaking, it can be divided around May each year, though other months are also fine, but it is best to avoid seasons that are too cold or too hot.
Division method:
First lift the whole peace lily plant out of the pot (stop watering 2 days in advance so the potting soil is not sticky), and carefully remove the potting soil. To be safe, if it does not affect division, keep as much soil as possible on the roots, so the plant can avoid wilting after repotting.
Cut the rhizome apart from the base of the clump, making sure each clump has at least one leaf. After dividing and planting, water well and then place it in a semi-shady spot to recover. Never place it in direct sun to bake, and do not fertilize. Note that when cutting, you should keep part of the stem, then apply charcoal ash to the wound to prevent rot. Once its root system returns to normal, resume normal care.
Tips:
When caring for the peace lily, be sure to manage temperature and soil well. The peace lily likes high temperatures and is especially afraid of cold. Its most suitable growing temperature is 20—28°C. Once winter comes, it must be brought indoors. The lowest temperature it can tolerate is 10°C, so pay attention in winter. Relatively speaking, growing conditions in the north are too poor. If the peace lily is kept at low temperatures for a long time, it will cause root rot, leaf drop or scorched yellow leaves, and in serious cases it can even lead to death.
For potted peace lilies, the soil is required to be loose, with good drainage and aeration. Heavy clay soil must not be used. Generally, leaf mold, peat soil mixed with a small amount of perlite can be made into the growing medium, and a small amount of organic fertilizer can be added as a base fertilizer when planting.