Orchids and peace lilies are popular houseplants but can be reluctant to flower – however, a simple kitchen hack will make them bloom bigger and better in no time
Orchids and peace lilies are amongst the most popular houseplants due to their beauty and being simple to maintain, but it can be irritating trying to get them to produce blooms.
Houseplants such as orchids and peace lilies can remain without flowers, start to wilt or develop yellowing leaves due to insufficient nutrients in their soil, but there is one ingredient that can help give them a lift.
Tishana, a gardener and founder of Coco and Seed, has revealed that she uses the water left over from rinsing rice as a natural homemade fertiliser to help her houseplants flourish. In other similar news, Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment.
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She said: “Rice water! Have you tried it on your plants? I personally don’t cook rice often but when I remember I use it on my plants. After you wash your rice the water that is left back contains starches and minerals. The minerals contain trace macronutrients of NPK, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that help your plants grow.”
Rice water contains modest amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, three vital nutrients houseplants require for root development, foliage growth, and enhancing flower production, reports the Express.
It also contains modest amounts of B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium which supports the plant’s energy production so you achieve superior quality and larger flower blooms.
This fertiliser is created from what otherwise would be kitchen waste, making it an extremely affordable and environmentally-friendly way to help plants. Tishana said: “Beneficial to soil and stimulating healthy bacteria. On soilless plants, the nutrients go directly to the roots.”
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How to nourish orchids and peace lilies with rice water
Simply place rice in a bowl and add cold tap water to the bowl. Then, stir the rice around with a spoon or your hands and you’ll quickly notice the water starting to turn cloudy as the starches release from the rice.
Gently strain the rice from the water and transfer the starchy liquid into a container. Create fertiliser by combining equal parts fresh water and rice water to dilute the mixture and prevent overfeeding your houseplants.
Apply the solution directly onto the soil base around your orchid or peace lily. Nourish houseplants with this straightforward solution just once monthly.
Don’t overuse it as excessive organic material in the soil can cause problems like root rot. Always use freshly made rice water on houseplants and avoid storing the liquid for extended periods, as rice starch can ferment and rapidly develop mould. Tishana said: “Enjoy! You just created a plant fertilizer from plants. How cool is that?!”.