Peace lilies are one of the most dramatic houseplants you can own. There, I said it!
These plants, while beautiful in their prime, are very difficult to care for. The slightest change in sunlight, watering, or humidity levels can cause a peace lily to wilt and start dying.
Besides their strict care instructions, you also need to routinely prune and deadhead your peace lily to keep it happy and thriving.
After blooming, a peace lily’s lovely white flowers will die, and you need to deadhead them quickly and in the right way.
Wondering what to do when a peace lily flower dies? Keep reading to learn the 5 things to do when a peace lily flower dies.
What to Do When Peace Lily Flower Dies: 5 CRUCIAL Next Steps
The most important thing to do when a peace lily flower dies is prune the dead foliage. This is called deadheading and it’s very important for keeping your peace lily happy.
It’s also crucial if you want to see a second flowering of your houseplant later in the year. Or if you want to make your flowers last longer next time.
Need to know what to do when a peace lily flower dies? Here are the most important next steps to take.
1. Prune before it turns completely brown
It may be too late for this, but, ideally, you want to prune your peace lily before the flower turns completely brown.
Firstly, it’ll be easier to remove the flower without making a mess in the soil when it isn’t completely brown (and dead).
Secondly, brown, crispy flowers aren’t pretty, so it’s better to get rid of them before they bring down the aesthetics!
2. Disinfect your tools
It’s best to deadhead a peace lily with a pair of scissors, shears, or pruners.
Using clean tools is important, as it ensures you don’t accidentally spread bacteria to your houseplant when it’s at its most vulnerable.
Disinfect your tools safely before you start with a normal household cleaner. Wipe down the blades and dry them with a clean cloth.
3. Snip close to the joint
Everything in your peace lily uses energy, including the dead flower and its stem. When energy is wasted on things that aren’t adding value to the plant, it affects your plant’s growth and whether it’ll bloom again.
The stem holding your dead flower won’t produce another flower, so leaving it long will waste energy. You should cut it back as close as possible to the point where it joins the rest of the plant.
4. Cut at 45-degree angles
When pruning the dead flower and stem, make your cut at a 45-degree angle, if possible. This helps water run off the end of your stem, instead of collecting on it.
This is important as it prevents fungal infections from appearing on the end of your trimmed stem. Although, in my experience, you’d be very unlucky to experience this!
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5. Clear all debris
Once you’ve trimmed your houseplant, it’s time to clear away the debris.
Dead flower remnants in your soil can attract gnats, which (as many plant parents will know) are a nightmare to get rid of!
Remember, pollen from peace lily flowers can be toxic and/or irritating to humans and pets. So, it’s a good idea to wipe the surface area of your houseplant after pruning to clean any potential droppings.
Do Peace Lily Flowers Grow Back?
Despite the fact they are picky houseplants, if you care for your peace lily well, you can get a second bloom later in the year.
As long as you give your plant enough sunlight and water, your flowers should grow back soon after pruning.
However, it’s important to remember that peace lilies are hard to care for, so (in my experience) you need to do everything right to get a second bloom.
Keep reading to learn my tips on how to make your peace lily bloom again after cutting.
How Do I Make My Peace Lily Bloom Again?
Pruning dead flowers off a peace lily won’t stop it from flowering again. In fact, it helps it!
Provided you maintain ideal conditions, you can see a second bloom from your houseplant in a few short months. Here’s how.
1. Prune dead flowers
Pruning dead flowers off your peace lily will prevent energy being wasted on the lifeless stems and buds. When you maximize the energy your plant has, it can use that energy towards growing new buds for a second bloom.
2. Keep it somewhere bright
Peace lilies prefer bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours of the day. If your houseplant isn’t in the brightest spot, move it somewhere with more sunlight. The more light it’s exposed to, the more likely it is to flower again.
3. Don’t expose it to direct sun
To increase your chances of getting a second bloom from your peace lily, keep it out of direct sunlight. Too much sun can burn the foliage and cause flowers to brown, shrivel and die before they’ve even had a chance to bloom.
4. Keep it warm
A peace lily is more likely to bloom again if its surroundings are warm. Keep it in a warm position that isn’t too dry if you want to see a second round of flowers. Ideally, temperatures of 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) and 60% or above humidity works best.
5. Maintain steady watering
Peace lilies love a steady watering pattern. Too much water and they’ll wilt, but not enough water and they’ll, well, wilt! Try to ensure the soil stays moist with light, regular watering.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time to water, check the soil with your finger every couple of days. If the top 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) feel dry, give it a light water.
Have you ever had a second bloom from your peace lily? What tips do you have for promoting flower growth? Let us know in the comments! 😊
