Growing Peace Lilies

How to Care for Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)

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Peace lilies are one of the most common houseplants because they’re easy to grow and beautiful, too! Here’s everything you need to know about caring for a peace lily in your home.

About Peace Lilies

Peace lilies are tropical, evergreen plants that thrive on the forest floor, where they receive dappled sunlight and consistent moisture. Replicating these conditions in the home is the key to getting your peace lily to be happy and healthy.

With enough light, peace lilies may produce white to off-white flowers in the early summer and continue to bloom throughout the year.

Most household varieties of peace lily grow up to 16 inches tall, but larger outdoor cultivars can reach 6 feet in height. Peace lilies are not cold-hardy plants, so they may only be grown outdoors in warm, humid climates.

Is the Peace Lily Plant Poisonous?

Yes. All parts of the peace lily plant contain calcium oxalate—a substance that may cause stomach and respiratory irritation if ingested in large amounts. Keep peace lilies out of reach of small children and pets. Other common plants that contain calcium oxalate include daffodils, true lilies, and hyacinths.

Planting

How to Plant, Transplant, and Divide Peace Lilies

Use a well-draining, all-purpose potting soil.
Repotting annually in the spring is good for the peace lily, as the plant will appreciate the refreshed soil.
Eventually, the peace lily may grow too large for its pot, at which point it can be divided. Remove the plant from its pot and split it into smaller plants, being sure to leave several leaves per clump. The peace lily grows from rhizomes, so it can tolerate a bit of tough treatment during dividing.

Can Peace Lilies be Grown in Water?

Yes, peace lilies can be grown in water; they are often sold in vases without any soil. Ideally, the base of the plant should be suspended above the water line, either by a specially-made insert or a layer of small stones. This allows the roots to grow into the water, but keeps the base of the plant and its leaves from being constantly wet, which can cause rot.

Care

How to Care for a Peace Lily

Keep the soil moist, but do not overwater. Peace lilies can tolerate short periods of dry soil, but their leaves will start to brown if neglected for too long.
Peace lilies are sensitive to chemicals commonly found in tap water, such as fluoride, which may cause brown leaf tips. Use filtered, room-temperature water, if possible.
Peace lilies enjoy high humidity. Misting their leaves or placing their pot atop a moistened tray of gravel can help to increase humidity.
Peace lilies are not heavy feeders, so fertilize only occasionally. To encourage spring and summer growth, fertilize every 6 weeks or so with a balanced houseplant fertilizer starting in late winter.
Peace lilies are a tropical plant, so keep them in temperatures above 60°F (16°C) and away from cold, drafty windows. They do best in temperatures upwards of 70°F (21°C).
Keep these plants out of direct afternoon sunlight, but in a well-lit area. An east-facing window is ideal, as they will be exposed to the warmth of the morning sun but avoid the intensity of mid-day rays.

Peace Lily plant

How to Get Peace Lilies to Flower

Most often, if no flowers are appearing, the plant is not getting enough light. Peace lilies are very tolerant of low light, but low light does not mean no light! To encourage flowering, move the plant to a brighter location, where it will receive bright, indirect light.
Green flowers, weak-looking flowers, or a general lack of flowers can be caused by improper fertilizing. In the case of green flowers, cut back on fertilizing. In the case of weak-looking flowers or a lack of flowers, try switching to a fertilizer made for flowering plants. This type of fertilizer will have a higher amount of phosphorous, which plants need for blooming.

Pests/Diseases

Brown leaf tips are commonly caused by excessive light, over-fertilization, or lack of water and/or low humidity. Keeping the plant on a tray of moistened gravel or misting the leaves can help to increase humidity.
Yellow leaves may be caused by overwatering, underwatering, or old age (of the leaf).
Scale and mealybugs will happily take up residence on the plant, if given the opportunity. A thorough wipe-down of leaves with soapy water or insecticidal soap can be effective at stopping them, though repeated applications will be necessary.

Recommended Varieties

Specialty varieties of peace lilies are not easy to come by in most garden centers; you will likely need to order them from an online source.

Spathiphyllum wallisii is a smaller peace lily, reaching only 12 inches tall.
‘Petite’ is smaller still, at approximately 8–10 inches.
‘Sensation’ is the largest variety available, capable of growing up to 4–6 feet in height and width.
‘Domino’, is a medium-size variety with attractively variegated leaves.
‘Mojo Lime’, which has lime-green foliage, is another medium-size peace lily.

Wit & Wisdom

In NASA studies, it was discovered that peace lilies can help improve air quality, removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the surrounding air. Read more about air-purifying houseplants!
The peace lily is said to have gotten its common name from its white flowers, which rise timidly above its green foliage and resemble small, white flags of peace.
Despite the peace lily’s common name, it is not related to true lilies at all.
The plant’s interesting blooms are also the source of its Latin name, Spathiphyllum, meaning “spathe-leaf.” The flowers consist of the spathe (the white, sheath-like leaf) and the spadix (the spike of small flowers located within the spathe).

Peace Lily flower. Photo by W. Carter/Wikimedia.
A peace lily’s flower consists of a spathe (white sheath) and spadix (green or off-white spike of flowers).

Reader Comments

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red peace lily

I have a red peace lily plant for the past 8 months. The leaves and the plant itself looks healthy and always blooms red flowers but most of the leaves are brown or yellow and the flowers pale red. The flowers seem to be growing in a curl. I keep the pot in the shade of other bigger plants in my balcony as that’s the only space with indirect sunlight. I guess it is getting exposed to the sun. Should I change the spot? Case everything else seems fine with the plant.Can you help me?

Peace Lilies & Humidity

Peace lilies enjoy relatively high humidity; it could be that the air is too dry where the plant currently is. Make sure that you’re watering it enough, and perhaps try placing the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water—the water will evaporate over time. As long as it doesn’t receive direct sunlight, lighting shouldn’t be an issue.

Dying blooms

I’ve had my peace lily for about 3 months. The leaves look great, but the blooms are turning all brown and drying up. Assuming that’s a natural part of the process, but what do I do with those now? They look terrible, so I’d like to cut them off, but not sure that’s the best thing to do. Can you help me?

Cut Dying Blooms

Yes, you’re correct—the flowers do eventually die off, at which point you can simply cut them off. The flower stem immediately below where you make the cut will eventually turn brown and wilt, and it can be removed, too.

Droopy after transplanting

I had a peace lily as part of a floral 'basket' that I got for a gift. There were 2 small pots w/peace lilies and 1 small pot of ivy. I kept them at work until they seemed to get too big for the pots.
Took them home, planted the peace lily in a larger pot (but not too large for the plant, about twice the size it was in) in Miracle Gro indoor potting mix soil with some river rock for drainage. This was last Saturday, and it has not been a week yet, but my lily looks like she is going to die! The soil is moist but she just gets droopier and droopier. Will she snap out of it?

Transplant Shock

It sounds like the plant experienced “transplant shock”—it just needs time to reestablish its roots and then it should perk back up. Water it as you normally would (but make sure the soil isn’t too wet) and keep it in bright, indirect light.

Struggle peace lily to keep alive

I got the peace lily (4inches for $9.99) last May 4th, 2019. It looked good with one white flower folded on top. But it becomes down I put water.
It becomes many yellow leaves. I cut them off. Dry soil bec the leaves down. I put water again to keep it alive. Maybe 4 inches s too tight but I was told wait until in the fall. To 6 inches. But it a still thin. Not thick Bev I cut yellow abs brown leaves. I struggled . We have AC here. cold cooler/heat warm or hot.
I avoid it submit still not really light. I thought peace Lily s easy but apparently not.
I have other plants like pothos, Africa violet, rubber plants? Lemon and orange plant trees, s
Mother s tongue, others. But peace like is my hardest one. Why?

Today, 6/8/19, I repotted it to about 6 inches square plastic that I could only I can find here with the long tall one. I cut the roots. Miracle potting. And split and out one in that new pot. Other few thin peace plants ( cut roots. Trimming too) in the water glass jar Bec I don't have a pot. Is Glass jar okay or not?

Both plants leaves are really dying shainabd again and again. Really weak!!!!!
Water is from the kitchen. I out water tap about an hour or two. I removed water out from jar and pour a Poland water bottle in that glass jar. Is that good?? How can I attach the photos to show you? I really giving up and very tired.i hope my place could fix up since two years on hold so maybe better than here because my mom and brothers touched the temperature. But HVAc seems not right temp. 72 heat feel alike 70. Or 70 AC cold. Fee alike 65. Whatever. I hope my place could better than here. Only me control my temp .
Bit other plants are Fine!! What a the difference?
I hope both peace Lily survived??? I hope to take it to my place when the place is ready but my peace Lily! I had it a bit more than a month and 4 days old! Please Help!!!
Where clip so I can send you the photos?
Thanks

leaf issues

hi, i do have some issues with my own lilly. it has some funny shapes on the leafs from a while, i can send a pic if someone can help me. thx :)

Leaf Scars

Blemishes on the leaves could be caused by too many chemicals in the water (peace lilies are sensitive to chemicals commonly found in tap water, like fluoride) or by too much direct sunlight. Both of these would cause browning of leaf tips.

Peace plant

I have a peace plant that is 7 years old. I have transplanted it once. I now have the original plant in the same container, but I also have 5 new plants in ceramic containers. But there are no holes in the bottom of the pots, and they are not looking so great. Should I repot them in plastic ones with holes and then put those back in the ceramic pots just for pretty?

Replanting

Yes, it would be wise to transfer the plants to pots with holes in them. Peace lilies prefer moist soil, but without proper drainage, the plants’ roots may rot. If you place the plastic pots in the ceramic ones, make sure that you pour out any excess water so that the plant isn’t left to sit in it.

Funeral Lily

I got a wonderful, small Peace Lily from my nephews and nieces for my mother's funeral and want to keep it going. The flower tips are a black/brown and I am not sure what to do. It has been in our dark garage since the funeral [5-1-19] and I got it to my office today in some pretty good conditions. What should I do for the blooms?

Peace Lily Care

The blooms will fade naturally; the first priority is keeping the plant alive! Keep it in a spot that gets bright but indirect light, and keep its soil moist. The brown tips are likely a result of it being too dry. With proper care the plant should hopefully bloom again in the future!

North facing peace

I bought a stray peace lily at the grocery store for Easter. It has a few small flowers on it. The clerk found no tag or info on the plant but told me it could be outside when it's warm. All my apt. windows face north, so not a lot of light. Now...it's looking a bit blanched and the edges of flowers are browning. The stalks of leaves are turning pale too. I have the small pot inside a larger pot for outside. Any ideas on how to revive this poor little thing?

Peace Lily

My Peace Lily has 11 flowers I have never had this many at one time what am I doing right to get so many at one time and should I repot it now with so many flowers I know it’s about time for me to repot it because it’s been about a year

Old Neglected Peace Lily

I’ve had a Peace Lily named Pricilla for about 15 years. She was blooming when I bought her at a Walmart (or Home Depot or something like that). She hasn’t bloomed again... until this year. I have two beautiful strong blooms!

Since I got Pricilla, we’ve moved around a lot & I’ve moved the plant around even more. I think I finally found her sweet spot. She’s in a sunny room; near, but not next to, the east facing window.

One specific change I’ve made is replacing drafty windows. Who knew that eliminating the draft would be beneficial to more than my heating bill!?!

Now that I’ve read this article & will attempt to separate & repot (I’ve only repotted once). Wish me luck!

Thank you for the information.

My poor peace lily

I bought a beautiful peace lily with many flowers from Home Depot almost 2 years ago. Since then the initial flowers have died and NONE have ever rebloomed.
I have:
~tried different light locations including next to a couple of different windows. I currently have a grow light hovering above it about 12 hours a day.
~I just repotted it about 2 months ago. I used Miracle Grow Pottin Mix
~After reading this article I switched to filtered water vs have been using tap water
~Maybe I'm fertilizing too much. I will cut back on fertilizer.

The leaves haven't been growing recently, but are very limp and sad looking. I don't see any new leave growth or flower growth. I feel like giving up on it and tossing it out, but I really want to bring this one back to life. What can I do?

Peace Lily Not Flowering

Peace lilies can be a mystery when it comes to blooming; some will bloom without any extra effort, others can receive all the care in the world and not produce a single flower.

It sounds like you are doing everything right (including cutting back on fertilizer). Peace lilies need bright light to bloom, so the combination of a window seat and a grow light should be great.

As for watering: during the spring and summer, keep the plant’s soil moist (not soaked!). Limp leaves can be a sign of lack of water or too much water, so try to judge how much you are giving it and adjust accordingly.

I bought my first peace lily

I bought my first peace lily today! The one I got doesn't have the dark green glossy leaves but has thinner faintly mosaic ones. I haven't been able to find if it's a specific species with this feature as there were others the same as mine, and others with the normal glossy leaves. There are some newer leaves on the bottom that are a little glossier and without the mosaic, would it just be a sunlight/water problem?

Reduced peace lily

I just rescued a peace lily at the local grocery store, it was reduced to less than half off because it didn’t have a flower like all the other ones. This is my first peace lily, and I’m going to re-pot it (with the hopes it will grow to be big and beautiful since someone thought she wasn’t worth much). Is regular potting soil good, and should I add fertilizer now or just wait? Thanks!

Cat attack

I've had my peace lily for about 5 years. About 6 months ago I found my cat jumping into the planter and pee'ing in the dirt. Needless to say, this was not good for the plant. I repotted it and took it to my office so the cat couldn't get at it. It is across the room from a large south facing window so it gets quite a bit of light but no direct sunlight. However, it really hasn't grown much at all. A few of the flowers have brown edges. Is there anything that I can do to try to restart the growth?

Peace Lily

I'm not sure about this one, that cat urine is hard to fight! Maybe switch to another window if possible, try the 20-20-20 fertilizer and if these options don't work, you may have to start over with a new one. Keep it at the office though!

My peace lily looked very

My peace lily looked very healthy but somehow, on the new leaf growth only in a small size. and no additional flower is appear. how to solve this issue?

Peace lilly

My peace lily flowers are turning brown and dying I have gotten a few brown edged leaves which I cut off as well otherwise the plant looks healthy Are new flowers going to grow?

holes in the leaves

My peace lily is planted in soil on ground and the leaves have holes and some are brown and looks like bugs are eating it. What should I do?

Dry brittle leaves.

My peace Lilly looks healthy and perky however recently a few of the larger leave have seemed to dry up and then dark green. They are brittle. Is this just old age of the leaves? Is my plant missing something?

Old Leaves

Older leaves will eventually die off naturally, but dry, brittle leaves indicate that the plant needs more water or is getting scorched by the sun.

Peace Plant

Just bought a new one. My old one had BLACK leaves and I could not please it. My new is in a East window also. It does get morning sun but the rest of the day in sheltered. I think I did over water as I watered every Sat. All my other plants are ok with that. I live in Az. so it will be getting dry when the summer months come in. All advice will be adhered to. Thanks in advance

Dry peace lily

There is a lack of humidity in the Arizona air. Put your plant on a tray with stones and water, this will create more humidity for your plant. Also try filtered, room temperature water if your tap water has fluoride in it. I usually water when the leaves are slightly wilted as to not over water. East window is the best as you have it. Good luck, hope this helps! :-)

No More Blooms

My plant acted like a champ! Blooms blooms & more blooms! Had 11 at once. It was in a six-inch pot and looked like it needed a larger part. I put in an 8 inch pot. Since then, for a year, no blooms at all. Plant is going on 5 years. I have never fertized. It gets good indirect light. HELP, please!