Peace lily not blooming? This secret kitchen scrap will help it flower

Watering a peace lily — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Peace lilies are beautiful houseplants that, apart from adding a pleasing aesthetic to your home, have a whole host of other benefits. They are perfect in bathrooms to reduce mold and mildew and can act as natural air purifiers and dehumidifiers, improving air quality and reducing moisture.

They are also the perfect houseplant for your bedroom, as they reduce allergens and contribute to a healthier sleep environment.

With so much potential, it’s worth spending some time giving your peace lily the attention it deserves, and ensuring that it blooms to its full potential this spring and summer, because sometimes peace lilies need a helping hand to burst into bloom and display their magnificent, pure-white flowers.

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Don't waste this kitchen scrap

The good news is, there’s one natural kitchen waste item that has the flowers opening up. This natural approach, that’s been praised for its effectiveness on stubborn peace lilies and reported in The Express, is a waste product that you pour down your sink. So, instead of letting it go to waste, save it as a monthly fertilizer to feed your peace lilies.

The secret waste item that can help your peace lilies bloom is rice water.

The secret power of rice water

Water being poured on rice — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Rice water is a natural fertilizer that contains small amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. All the good things houseplants need to increase flower production, foliage growth and boost root development.

What’s more, it also includes zinc, iron and sulfur, which boost the soil when applied in correct amounts and minerals like magnesium and B vitamins that support energy production. Adding rice water to your plants will result in larger, better blooms, especially in peace lilies.

How to make rice water to fertilize your peace lily

Rice water in jar — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

1. PlantIn suggests adding a 3:1 water-to-grain ratio. For a less concentrated solution, you can add more water.

2. Soak the rice in the water for about 30-45 minutes. You can also stir through the solution with your fingers to speed up the process.

3. Drain off the milky water into a container.

4. Store the rice water in a glass jar or a spray bottle. It can be left at room temperature for about 3 days. If refrigerated, store for up to one week.

5. Use the rice water to fertilize your plants once a month, swapping it with your normal water.

To avoid damaging your plants, avoid adding any oil, salt or other seasoning to the water.

With a bit of patience, you should notice a difference in your peace lily, and instead of just enjoying the plant’s dark green, glossy leaves, you’ll be able to delight in the elegant white spathes.

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Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.