Plant or replant your lilies in a container twice as large as the root ball (typically 6–12 inches in diameter) with well-draining, all-purpose potting soil. The soil should be able to hold moisture and dry out slowly over time (see how much soil you need to fill your pot!). Peace lilies don’t like to dry out entirely, but they also won’t do well if kept in soil that’s constantly wet, as this fosters root rot fungus.

Repotting the peace lily plant every few years in the spring is suitable for the peace lily, as it will appreciate the refreshed soil.

How to Repot a Peace Lily

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. Peace lilies grow from rhizomes, so they can tolerate a bit of tough treatment during division.

Learn more about repotting houseplants.

How to Propagate a Peace Lily

Propagating a peace lily is a great way to expand your plant collection or share one with a friend. The easiest and most reliable method is division, since peace lilies grow in clumps that can be gently separated into new plants.

Start by removing the peace lily from its pot and gently loosening the soil around the roots. You’ll notice that the plant has several “crowns,” or clusters of leaves, each with its own root system. Identify a healthy section with at least a few leaves and strong roots. Using clean hands or a sharp, sanitized knife, carefully separate it from the main plant—trying to keep as many roots intact as possible.

Once separated, plant the division in a pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Water it thoroughly, then place it in a spot with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil lightly moist (but not soggy) for the first few weeks to help the plant establish itself.

Peace lilies typically bounce back quickly after division, and within a few months, your new plant should be thriving. Propagating not only creates more plants but also helps keep older peace lilies healthy by reducing crowding in the pot.

Growing

Peace Lily Care

Perfect for busy plant parents, total beginners, or anyone whose home doesn’t get a ton of sunshine, Spathiphyllum plants are surprisingly easygoing. They don’t mind lower light, and if you forget to water them once in a while, they’ll usually forgive you. These plants look right at home in offices, apartments, or any cozy, shaded corner—bringing fresh green leaves and graceful white blooms without demanding much in return. Once you get the hang of peace lily care, you’ll find they’re the kind of plant that quietly gives back all year long.

Lighting

Place peace lilies in indirect but bright sunlight. An east-facing window is perfect, as the plant will be exposed to the bright morning sun. A north-facing window would also be a good choice for a peace lily.
Keep peace lilies out of areas where they’ll get direct sunlight all day (such as in a south-facing window), as it may dry them out too much.

Watering

The dryness of the soil is what counts. Keep the soil lightly moist to the touch but not overly saturated. Peace lilies can tolerate short periods of dry soil, but their leaves will develop brown tips if they don’t have enough water or humidity.
- Tip: One nice thing about peace lilies is that they will tell you when they’re thirsty: the plant’s leaves start to droop. When the plant starts to look less “perky” than usual, test the soil with your finger. If it feels dry, it’s time to water again. They can be a bit dramatic; don’t panic if they start to wilt.
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 or distilled water if possible.
Learn more about watering houseplants.

Humidity

Peace lilies enjoy high humidity. Misting their leaves or placing their pot atop a moistened tray of gravel can help to increase humidity around the plant.

Fertilizing

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.

Temperature

Peace lilies are tropical plants; they do best in temperatures between 65° and 75°F (18 to 23°C) during the day and about 10°F cooler at night.
Keep these plants away from the furnace or a drafty window or door.

Other Peace Lily Care Tips

The large leaves of peace lilies tend to collect a lot of dust in the home. Gently wipe them down with a wet paper towel occasionally; a thick layer of dust can inhibit photosynthesis.

Peace Lily plant and flower

How to Get Peace Lilies to Flower

Most often, if no flowers appear, the plant is not getting enough light. Peace lilies are very tolerant of low light, but “low light” doesn’t mean no light! To encourage flowering, move the plant to a brighter location where it will receive bright, indirect light for at least a few hours each day.
Green flowers, weak-looking flowers, or a general lack of flowers can also be caused by improper fertilizing. In the case of green flowers, cut back on fertilizing, as the plant may be getting too much nitrogen. 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 phosphorus, which plants need for blooming.

Pests and Problems

Brown leaf tips are commonly caused by excessive direct sunlight, over-fertilization, 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). If the oldest leaves are yellowing and the plant hasn’t been repotted in a while, it may just need more space to stretch its roots.
Scale insects and mealybugs will happily take up residence on the plant, if given the opportunity. A thorough wipe-down of leaves with a dish soap and water solution or insecticidal soap can be effective at stopping them, though repeated applications may be necessary. Learn more about how to get rid of scale insects and mealybugs.
Droopy or wilting leaves are often the result of too much water. Often, once per week is enough. When you water the plant, wait until the moisture comes out of the drainage holes, but never leave water sitting in the saucer or water the saucer, hoping the moisture moves up the plant. If the water drains too quickly through to the saucer, then your soil is too sandy; your soil needs to be well-draining and porous, containing peat moss, fine bark, or perlite.

FAQ

Is the Peace Lily Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Yes, peace lilies are mildly toxic. All parts of the peace lily plant contain calcium oxalate, which may cause stomach and respiratory irritation if ingested in large amounts. Keep peace lilies out of reach of small children and pets who might chew on the plant. Common plants containing calcium oxalate also include philodendrons, daffodils, true lilies, and hyacinths.

Learn more about houseplants that are toxic to your pets.

Why is My Peace Lily Drooping?

Peace lilies are drama queens! When their leaves start drooping, it’s usually their way of saying, “Hey, I need something, fast!” The most common reason is thirst; peace lilies quickly wilt when the soil dries out, but they perk back up within hours after watering. Overwatering, however, can also cause drooping by suffocating roots. Other culprits include low humidity, too much direct sunlight, or root-bound conditions. Check the soil first: if it’s dry, give it a drink. If it’s soggy, let it dry out.

Can Peace Lilies be Grown in Water?

Yes, peace lilies can grow in water alone; 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 vase insert or a layer of small river stones. This allows the roots to grow down into the water but keeps the base of the plant and its leaves from being constantly wet, which can cause rot.

How Can I Revive a Peace Lily?

If your peace lily is drooping or looking sad, start by checking the soil. If it’s dry as a desert, give it a good soak and watch those leaves start to perk up in just a few hours. On the flip side, if the soil feels soggy or smells funky, you might be overwatering. In that case, carefully trim any mushy roots and repot your plant in fresh, well-draining soil. Find a nice bright spot with indirect light; too much sun can scorch those leaves. Don’t forget to remove any yellow or dead leaves to help your plant focus on new growth. Keep the air a bit humid if you can, and hold off on fertilizers until your peace lily looks healthier. With a little TLC and patience, your peace lily will bounce back and be the star of your indoor jungle again!

Types

Specialty varieties of peace lilies are not very easy to come by in most garden centers, though they have been growing in popularity. You may have more success ordering 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-sized variety with attractively variegated leaves.
‘Mojo Lime’, which has lime-green foliage, is another medium-sized peace lily.

Houseplant Guides

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

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<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 04/06/2020 - 11:46

A strong LED bulb is your best bet. Look for a bulb that is labeled "daylight" or "cool white," as these bulbs will provide the best light for foliage houseplants like peace lilies. An LED bulb with wattage equivalent to a 75–100 watt incandescent bulb will be bright enough.

Aladyami Wed, 12/25/2019 - 11:20

I have a Huge Peace Lily that is over 26 yrs old. I got it from my brother's funeral so I want to keep it going. It is in a Huge pot now, but How do we know when it is time to split the plant? It has leaves going yellow and when I felt the soil, it seems hard and dry. I had just given it a 1/2 gal of water 3 days ago. I give it a 1/2 gal every Sunday. Why is it dying? Is it needing to be split?? Please help!!!!

Deborah Lukaszewski Mon, 11/18/2019 - 09:34

I've tried many things to boost my peace lily from droop. Moved it from cold drafty location to inside to southern facing window. I have watered when top of soil was dry but not overwatered. The leaves have remained very green just keep drooping. This plant was purchased over 3 years ago for my daughter's wedding so it has sentimental value and I would like to keep it going. I had repotted to larger pot in that period of time as it leaves began yellowing and dying off. What should i do?

Teresa Thu, 11/07/2019 - 21:43

I've had the same peace Lilly for years. I've divided it many times. At one point, I had it growing in my 30 gallon fish tank. The roots covered the bottom of the tank and kept the water very clean. All I did was circulate the water. The fish loved hiding inside the roots, stem and leaves.

Julie Thu, 11/07/2019 - 13:06

My brother recently passed away and I was given a beautiful peace lily. I am keeping these instructions close by to make sure I am properly caring for it. Thank you.

Shannan Mon, 10/14/2019 - 04:06

I've had a peace lily that was given to me by my mother before she passed away 3 years ago it always was blooming and beautiful when we lived in Texas then my husband got stationed in Washington state and it did good throughout the hole winter and about 2 months into the new year it just started dying I took it to a plant specialist and they told me to transplant to a smaller pot so I did but the leaves are just Brown and dying everything is just hanging will water and it will pick up a small amount then just go back I've had a few flowers bloom out but they also died I wish I could attach a picture to show yall

Teresa Thu, 11/07/2019 - 21:52

I do worm composting, and my peace Lilly loves when I top dress the soil with that compost. I generally don't repot unless I need to divide. A friend of mine repotted hers with soil she bought in the store that had a lot of spaghum moss in it. Spaghum moss is very water resistant when it has dried out. You need to soak it for a couple days so it fully hydrates. She didn't know this. She thought she was thoroughly watering her plant because the water was coming out of the bottom, but the soil was totally dry because the spaghum moss wasn't absorbing and water. Peace lillies need moist soil.

Catherine Stuckey Wed, 10/30/2019 - 10:23

Shannan, I'm no expert but know how sentimental things like this become. Have you tried the fertilizer mentioned in the tips on this site? My friend also has a peace lily from when his mom died almost 15 years ago. He is very protective of this plant but outside of what is listed here, I don't think he does anything differently. In my experience, repotting did not work but I didn't use good, fresh soil. We also have highly fluoridated water where I live. Another thing I did that killed one was watered it from a pitcher directly from the dish washer...that had remnants of dried detergent in it...not a good idea. Hope something here helps but also hope others with more expertise respond.

Krupa Mon, 08/12/2019 - 15:56

I bought my Peace lily at a Home Depot about three weeks ago. The tips of most leaves are turning brown and some leaves are turning yellow too. The flowers look healthy though. I’ve tried changing the room, making sure it’s getting adequate indirect light. I check the soil before watering to make sure I’m not overwatering the plant. I even tried putting it on a plate with water and pebbles. It came with the fertilizer so I haven’t used any more. Don’t want my plant to die.

Sue Johnson Tue, 07/16/2019 - 11:58

I got a huge peace lily that is really too big for my space. Can I plant it outdoors. If so what process should I use to care for it to keep it going?

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Peace Lily Care Tips: How to Grow Spathiphyllum Plants