Peace lilies are relatively easy to grow inside a terrarium. They are used to warm, humid climates, making terrariums a perfect environment for them. They are beautiful and hardy and can grow either in traditional soil inside the terrarium or as semi-aquatic plants.
If you choose to grow them as a semi-aquatic plant inside your terrarium, ensure only to submerge their roots in water.
Peace lilies can grow to a large size inside a terrarium, making them a great aesthetic addition to your tank.
Despite being an excellent terrarium plant, there is much to know about preparing your tank for your peace lily and maintaining it afterward. Depending on the method you choose for your peace lily (either with traditional soil or semi-aquatic), the plant will have different needs.
The rest of this article will tell you all you need to know about growing your peace lily in a terrarium.
What Is A Peace Lily?
Peace lilies are native to the rainforests of South America. They grow to a height and width of between 1 – 3 feet. While there are several varieties, they generally share the same shape and coloring.
The peace lily leaves are dark green, shiny, and spear-shaped. Blooming is sporadic, sometimes long periods without flowering, but its blooms are unique. A slender, bumpy, capsule-shaped spadix protrudes from a leaf-like sheath (known as a spathe) on one half of the spadix. The spadix and the spathe are white to pale yellow, making them stand out from the dark green leaves.
Can I Put A Peace Lily In A Terrarium?
Peace lilies can grow inside a terrarium. They can be semi-aquatic by submerging only their roots in the water, and they will thrive this way as long the water level doesn’t go above the base of the roots.
Peace lilies are native to the tropical rainforests of South America. Because of the naturally warm, humid conditions inside a terrarium, they grow well as terrarium plants.
What Are The Benefits Of Peace Lilies As A Terrarium Plant?
Peace lilies are beneficial to both your home and the species sharing the terrarium with the plant.
- They purify the air
- Like most plant species, peace lilies purify the air inside your home and remove toxins. However, peace lilies are part of a special class of plants that absorbs toxins from the air and releases clean air in their place.
- A NASA study proved that peace lilies absorb toxic chemicals such as benzene, xylene, acetone vapors, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide.
- According to numerous studies, peace lilies can absorb up to 60% of the toxins in the air.
- Low maintenance
- Peace lilies don’t require much fertilizer.
- They thrive best in moist soil, but peace lilies can go for days without watering.
- They don’t require direct sunlight so they can thrive in darker rooms.
- They absorb nutrients from the water
- When grown in a fish tank, peace lilies absorb nutrients and clean the water for the fish.
- Reduces the growth of algae, keeping your tank clean.
- Provide shelter for fish
- Most fish species need hiding places or some shelter to stay healthy. The lack of shelter causes fish stress, making them susceptible to disease. They also need cover to maintain their regular breeding patterns. Peace lilies’ long roots provide ample cover for the fish and keep them happy.
How Do I Grow Peace Lilies In A Terrarium?
There are two ways you can grow peace lilies in a terrarium:
- In traditional soil
- As a semi-aquatic plant
Growing Peace Lilies In Traditional Soil
If you plan on growing your peace lily in traditional soil in your terrarium, make sure to layer the soil correctly. They require moist soil with good drainage. To achieve this, you can layer sand with layers of potting soil or mix them both before planting.
Because peace lilies are traditionally grown as houseplants, any soil used for houseplants will work for a peace lily. However, if you choose to make your own soil, experts recommend mixing one part loam with one part sand and one part peat moss. This will ensure adequate drainage and prevent root rot.
Peace lilies don’t require much fertilizer. Experts recommend not to fertilize more often than every other month. Use a water-soluble fertilizer at about 25% of the amount recommended on the package.
Growing Peace Lilies As Semi-Aquatic Plants
If you grow your peace lily as a semi-aquatic plant, be sure only to submerge the roots in water. To keep the water level from going higher than the base of the plant and causing rot, there are special wire inserts you can purchase that buoy the leaves above the surface of the water.
These inserts are especially helpful if growing your peace plant in a fish tank.
What Can Live With A Peace Lily In A Terrarium?
Since peace lilies aren’t fully aquatic plants, they cannot be fully submerged in a fish tank. However, it can grow with its leaves above the water level and its roots extending into the water. If you decide to have fish share the tank, make sure the fish is a carnivorous species, such as beta fish. Otherwise, they can nibble the roots and potentially cause damage to the plant.
While peace lilies are poisonous to some animals, there is no evidence that they are toxic to any fish species.
Peace lilies can also grow well inside a terrarium with most reptile and amphibian species, such as:
- Dart frogs
- Tree frogs
- Crested geckos
- Day geckos
Avoid mixing peace lilies with snakes, however, as peace lilies are among the many plant species that are poisonous to pet snakes.
Final Words
Peace lilies thrive in warm, humid climates, making terrariums a pleasing environment for them. They provide multiple benefits to your terrarium and can grow in soil or with the roots submerged in water.