Peace lilies are flowering tropical plants with a regal look and easy-to-maintain care requirements. Peace lilies are native to tropical rainforests in South America, where they can grow up to six feet tall. Houseplants typically max out around three to four feet tall and wide with proper peace lily care, but many plants stay around one to two feet tall. Formally known as Spathiphyllum, peace lily plants have good looks, lush foliage, and lovely flowers. Peace lilies are adaptable and forgiving, and they are easy to grow.
Types of Peace Lilies
Any houseplant that blooms are likely to be known exclusively for its flowers, but peace lilies also have lovely foliage. Glossy sword-shaped leaves come to a point and have indentations along the veins, creating a subtle, textured appearance. Most plants have foliage that is a solid and consistent shade of dark green. Healthy plants push out abundant leaves, creating a lush, vibrant look. Peace lilies are all about flowers, but this is still a stunning plant when it is not in bloom. Some of the more popular peace lily plants available include:
- Domino peace lily
- Jetty peace lily
- Little Angel peace lily
- Patricia peace lily
- Piccolino peace lily
- Picasso peace lily
- Power Petite peace lily
- Sensation peace lily
- White Stripe peace lily
Peace Lily Light Needs
Medium light is preferred for peace lily care. This plant does best in dappled, filtered light, as found in the understory of a rainforest. An east-facing window is usually a good location for peace lilies. Some cultivars can handle more light than others, so get to know your particular plant’s needs before selecting a spot in your home. Light is a critical part of helping peace lilies to bloom. Direct light is always bad news for peace lilies and will burn the striking foliage.
How Often to Water Peace Lilies
Water peace lilies when the top inch of the soil is dry. Light and humidity will determine how quickly the soil dries out, but as long as the soil’s upper layer is dry, it is okay to water the plant. Peace lily plants are dormant during the winter and will require less water. Wait until all of the soil is dry before watering peace lilies during the fall and winter.
Overwatered plants will form yellow tips that eventually turn brown and spread up the foliage if the overwatering continues. Hold off on watering if this happens, and monitor the soil before giving the plant more water.
Peace lilies will dramatically droop if they are too dry. If the foliage is limp and flopped over, give the plant water, and the greenery should recover in a few hours. It is better to underwater than overwater peace lilies, but try to avoid letting the plants dry out so much that the foliage slumps over.
Take your peace lily care to the next level by using filtered water or distilled water if you have municipal water. You can even fill a watering can with tap water and leave it out for a day to allow the chlorine to dissipate. Peace lilies are sensitive to highly chlorinated water.
Best Soil for Peace Lilies
In nature, peace lilies live on the rainforest floor, where all the detritus or dead plant matter falls and breaks down. For this reason, peace lilies have learned to appreciate and require rich soil with lots of organic content. The ideal potting mix will be rich, but it will also allow for drainage. As much as peace lilies like water, they don’t like standing water and overly wet conditions, so the soil must shed excess water.
Temperature for Peace Lily
Peace lilies are tropical plants, so it should be no surprise that they like warm conditions. Most homes are warm enough for these plants, and if the temperature is between 65° to 80° F, your plant will be fine. Keep the plant away from drafts near exterior doors and HVAC vents. Wait until the temperature is consistently above 55° F before moving the plant to an outdoor space or screen porch during the spring and summer.
Peace Lily Humidity
Average humidity around 50% is suitable for peace lilies, but as tropical plants, they’ll be fine with increased dampness in the air. Remember that high humidity prevents the soil from drying quickly, so the plant will need water less frequently. Low humidity may be a problem, and the edges of the foliage may turn brown if the air is too dry. Take steps to increase humidity if you live in a naturally dry climate or your home is dry in winter.
Peace Lily Fertilizer
Peace lilies are large plants that bloom, and both traits mean these plants benefit from routine fertilization. Feed peace lilies using a balanced fertilizer. Water-soluble fertilizers are a good choice because plant food can be combined with regular watering. Fertilize peace lily plants monthly during the spring and summer when the plants are actively growing. Take a break from fertilizing the plants during the fall and winter.
Do Peace Lilies Bloom?
Yes, Peace lilies bloom. Flowers bloom on tall stems and hover above the greenery. The flowers feature a bumpy spadix surrounded by a white, yellow, or green spathe that comes to a point. The open flowers almost look like modern art, giving these plants a classic yet contemporary look.
Peace lily flowers have a light fragrance, and the blooms can last for a month. Plants in nature bloom in the spring, and houseplants may keep to this schedule or deter to a slightly different schedule. Plants may bloom a second time with proper peace lily care. Peace lilies that bloom in the spring may bloom again during the fall if everything goes well.
Pruning Peace Lily
Deadhead the plant, or remove spent flowers. Trimming dead blooms helps the plant look tidy and redirects energy back into the plant, resulting in more greenery or possibly another flush of flowers later in the year.
Remove dead or damaged growth so the plant looks good, but also so the plant becomes full and bushy. Trim stems at the soil line to encourage the plant to send out new growth.
When to Repot Peace Lily
Peace lily plants are content to be a bit rootbound, so don’t be in a rush to repot. Roots emerging from the top of the container or the drainage holes are a clear sign your peace lily needs a new pot. Upgrade to a one- to two-inch larger pot and use fresh soil to show your plant some love and care. Try to repot in the spring when the plant starts to grow actively.
Peace Lily Propagation
Propagate peace lilies through division. This is a clump-forming plant, so new plants grow alongside existing plants in a big tangle of greenery and roots. Repotting is a good time to divide the plant since you have it out of the pot anyway. Shake soil from the rootball and gently separate the roots to divide the plant into several smaller plants. New plants can be potted in containers a couple of inches larger than the root ball. Propagating is an important part of peace lily care because it gives the plant room to grow and thrive.
Is Peace Lily Pet Friendly?
Peace lily plants are toxic to pets and people, for that matter. Eating or chewing on peace lily foliage or flowers can harm your dog or cat. You know your pets, so do what you think is best.
Peace Lily Styling Tips
The stately peace lily looks lovely in a classically-inspired urn or container. Large plants can be featured as floor plants, while smaller peace lily plants are at home on a desk or end table. Set the tone in a foyer by displaying a peace lily on a console table.
Peace Lily Care Tips
Lush foliage and stunning flowers make the peace lily a favorite with many plant owners. These tropical plants are easy to maintain, and with some well-timed care and attention, you can help your peace lily thrive. Peace lily care is simple. Sunlight and water are the most important aspects to manage, and once you get the hang of what your particular plant needs, it will flourish.