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 are so easy to grow. 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 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 too wet.

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 flouride, 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.

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.

Recommended Varieties

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, often 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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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?

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!

No Blooms

It sounds like you’re doing everything right! Since the plant has certainly settled into its new pot by now, try giving it a dose of fertilizer made for flowering plants. You can find this in most hardware stores or online. That should hopefully encourage the plant to put out some new blooms.

Touching wall?

Does anyone know if its ok if my Peace Lily is touching the wall? I have it on my desk and in order to make room I need it slightly pushed up against the wall. Thanks!

Peace Lily

Yes, that’s fine! The leaves may bend and not look as good, but the plant won’t suffer.

Outdoor peace lillies

I have two large clumps (about Netre square each) if common and variegated peAce Lillie’s growing under a window outside under west facing patio. They have flourished for a number of years but are getting a bit big. Can I dig up and replant a few clumps and give them some new soil and space. They don’t get direct sunlight. South coast NSW.

Peace lily

My peace lilies (3 of them) are 20 yrs old. They came from my dad's funeral. They are constantly wilted and have dying leaves. They are in plenty of indirect light and the soil is never over dry. I have tried to liven them up by transplanting but to no avail. I struggle throwing them because of the sentimental value. My question is can their lifespan just be over??

Peace Lilly

I've tried everything to get this plant to grow but no luck. The tip of the leaves keep turning brown and it's flowers have died. I've repotted it, cutting all the root rot. Place it in a clean pot with fresh potting soil. I've watered it when I see it start wilting with distilled water.
Help.

Brown Leaf Tips on Peace Lily

It sounds like you have addressed two of the most common causes of brown leaf tips, which are over/underwatering and using fluoridated water. Other causes that come to mind are fertilizer, sunlight, and humidity:

Fertilizer: Too much fertilizer can cause soluble salts to build up, resulting in brown leaf tips. Green flowers are also a sign of overfertilizing. It sounds like you haven’t fed the plant recently, though, so this shouldn’t be the cause.
Sunlight: Is the plant sitting in direct sunlight for most of the day? Too much intense sun can burn the leaves and cause brown tips. Peace lilies like bright light, but they don’t like direct sunlight for extended periods. An eastern windowsill would be the ideal spot to keep the plant, as it offers bright morning sunlight but isn’t exposed to the intense mid-day sun.
Humidity: Peace lilies appreciate some humidity, so if it gets too dry in your home, leaf tips may brown. Combat this by placing the plant on a tray of moist pebbles or near a humidifier.

Peace Lily blooms

My blooms dry up before they open. New leaves come out great, just the blooms turn brown. Help

Peace Lily

When the blooms start to turn brown around the edges, should you cut them off.

Cutting Blooms

Yes, you can cut them when they start to turn brown—they won’t last much longer at that point anyway! Cut the flower stem back to the base of the plant.

My peace lilly some of the flowers are going green do I prune th

I have had this plant two mos I don't want it to die it means a lot to me

Cutting spent flowers on Peace Lily

when do you cut spent flowers and how far down on the stem do you cut?

peace lily plant

what can I do to my peace plant with brown tips?
will this plant die?

Dark brown to black tips on leaves

Plant receives filtered light, but not direct sunlight. Watered weekly with well water. Miracle Grow fertilizer periodically. What am I doing wrong?

Mine also was doing exactly

Mine also was doing exactly as yours with me doing the same things minus the Miracle Grow. I have never fertilized her other than the occasional used tea bag. She is doing famously this summer, however, and the only change I made was to pull the shade more. She sits in a west facing window and I keep the shade pulled from about 9am to 6pm. It is an off white blind that allows light through but no direct rays. I water with well water (12-14 cups per watering as she is a large variety) about every four days in the summer and once a week in the winter; just as the soil feels dry. We also mist her occasionally between watering which she seems to respond very well to and I am a Nazi about keeping any damaged, old or dying leaves cut off, trimming them at the soil line. Another tip for brown tipped leaves is to simply trim the leave tip off, always trimming to it’s natural shape. I have done this numerous times with great success. Our peace lily is very precious to us and we have enjoyed watching her thrive. We call her ‘Evelyn’ which means ‘living cascade’ as she is a Domino variety with various sized leaves cascading down. I wish you success!

peace lily flower

I recently received a peace lily as a gift. So far it seems to be doing OK. There are many white droppings on a leaf under one particular flower and only that one. Is this normal or should I be concerned?

peace lilies and bugs

It’s possible this is a small bug. Clean your peace lily with a forceful water spray. Washing the plant’s leaves with soapy water and rinse off. Use a cotton swap to wipe off any droppings.

Thank you.

If the flower was an older

If the flower was an older bloom, then you were most likely seeing the dropped pollen. Ours does the same thing as the flower ages. You should also see a corresponding difference to the stamen of the flower, such as a changing in color. It is nothing to be concerned about, I just cut the flower at the soil line once it begins doing that, if not sooner.

Peach lily flower

I got my Peach Lily plant about a year or two. They recently bloomed, but the flower are really small compare to when I first got the plant. Can you please help me?

Small peace plant flowers

Plants that are grown and prepared for commercial sale (just about any store) are pampered with TLC to put on (often) their best-ever show. It can be difficult to keep up those appearances in a home environment. The temperature, the humidity, the light, the water, the love…are not the same. Your plant may never produce at home like it did in the nursery. But read below: at least it is flowering; many do not. Keep doing what you’re doing. (Speaking from experience. I have a peace lily on my desk and it is a shadow of it’s former self. But it’s still upright.) Good luck!

Peace Lily

My peace lilies bloomed about twice since I got them several years ago. They are in an area where they seem to receive sufficient filtered light and I keep them watered. However, they DO NOT bloom!! Both have healthy, dark green leaves and look good, but NO blooms. Disappointing.

Give peace a chance

Peace lilies are challenging plants. Your plant may seem to get sufficient light… but it might not be the right amount or the right light. See the care tips above.

And how’s the room temp? They like it warm. See above.

Finally, consider this advice from another visitor to this page: While peace lily’s don’t need a large amount of light they still need some especially if you want them to bloom. Depending on where you live dry air might also be a contributor. Misting your Peace Lily every few days and keeping it away from any vents would probably be a good idea as the air flow from the vent will dry the air and plant out faster and misting will put more moisture into the air.

helpful information

I just wanted to say thanks. The information was very helpful in assisting me with how to care for my houseplants.

The roots are coming up from the dirt at the top of my plant

I love my peace lily plant and I would like it to live a lot longer concerned if my pot is too small it's a pretty large Plant please help

planting peace lily

Can I plant my small peace lily into a large or very large container?

Repotting Peace Lily

Generally, it is not recommended to repot plants in pots that are too large, as the large amount of soil can hinder the roots’ ability to suck up enough water.