Indoor plant tips: Common peace lily problem expert says can be solved by doing one thing every two years

One of the most problematic indoor plants has to be peace lilies. If they’re not flowering, they’re losing their leaves, or their foliage is turning yellow.

Usually these sorts of problems stem from either not enough or too much light or overwatering and underwatering, which makes it hard to work out how to fix it.

However, a gardening expert may have the solution to preventing yellow leaves and leaf loss on peace lilies and all it takes is one simple task.

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Rob Clarke, technical manager at Westland Horticulture, said things like leaf loss, slow growth, yellow foliage and lack of flowers are signs the plant is struggling.

To fix that, all you need to do is repot the plant as potting mix loses nutrients as time goes by. This can lead to a less healthy plant which is more likely to get an aphid infestation.

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“Indoor plants should be potted into fresh compost every two to three years and spring is the best time to settle a houseplant into a new pot,” he told the Daily Express.

“Choose a container that’s only slightly bigger than the current one – around three to five centimetres larger in diameter. A pot with plenty of drainage holes is essential, to reduce the risk of overwatering.”

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Before you get started plan ahead and water the indoor plant you’re repotting the day before to help prevent transplant shock.

Removing the plant can be tricky if they’re root bound but generally you want to place one hand around the base of the plant at the top of the pot and the other at the bottom of the pot and ease it out from there.

This step is easier if the plant is in a nursery pot as you can squeeze the sides to encourage the plant to come out.

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Otherwise try tapping the bottom of the pot while holding it on its side and the root ball should eventually emerge.

Before repotting the plant remove any damaged roots.

Then add fresh potting mix to the new pot, which should only be a few centimetres larger than the previous one, and slot the plant in. Add more potting mix as necessary.

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Leave a gap of about 1cm from the top of the pot so that water remains inside the pot when you’re watering it.

This task should hopefully restore your indoor plant to its former glory, though it may take a little time to settle into its new home and soak up the fresh dose of nutrients.

Adding indoor plant fertiliser regularly can also help keep indoor plants in top condition.

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