Spathiphyllum, commonly known as peace lilies, are members of the Araceae family. Native to tropical America and Southeast Asia, these houseplants have an exotic look with lush green leaves and pretty white flowers. Continue reading to learn more about peace lily care and propagation.
See other plant specific care guides here.
| Name | Spathiphyllum, Peace Lily |
| Sunlight | Medium, indirect light |
| Water | Keep the soil moist (but not soaking wet) during the summer and spring Allow the top inch of soil to dry between watering during the winter |
| Soil | Loose, well-draining soil |
| Temperature | Prefers warm temperatures. Do not keep in temperatures below 60 °F (15 °C) |
| Humidity | High humidity |
| Propagation | From seed, cuttings or by division |
| Dormancy | Winter dormant |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs and children |
Peace Lily Growth
Peace lily leaves are 4 to 25 inches (12 to 65 cm) long and 1 to 9 inches (3 to 25 cm) wide. At full size, it can grow 3 to 6 feet tall (1 to 2 meters).
Peace lily blooms consist of a white/yellow spathe that surrounds a central rod called a spadix. Peace lily blooms tend to occur during the spring season and last for a few months.
Peace Lily Sunlight
Peace lilies are shade-lovers in their natural habitat. As houseplants, peace lilies like medium, filtered light. Avoid placing this houseplant in bright, direct light because it burns the leaves.
It is best to place your peace lily a few feet away from a bright window, so that it receives indirect sunlight. Peace lilies are also tolerant of fluorescent lighting if there is not a lot of natural light available.
Curled, pale leaves or brown spots indicate the plant is receiving too much light. Move the plant farther away from its light source or cover the window with a sheer curtain.
Indoors, dust collects on the leaves of peace lilies, interfering with their ability to absorb sunlight. Periodically clean the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust. Rotate the plant every few weeks so it grows evenly.
Peace Lily Climate
As tropical plants, peace lilies thrive in warm, humid areas. They do well in rooms with naturally high humidity, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
Related Article: 12 Best Plants for Low-light Bathrooms
Dry, brown leaf tips are a sign your plant needs more humidity.
The following techniques help increase humidity:
- Misting the leaves every so often with a spray bottle
- Keeping a humidifier nearby
- Placing the pot in a pebble tray- fill a pot with pebbles and water, then place the pot inside (making sure the water is not in direct contact with the pot). As the water evaporates, it increases the surrounding humidity.
Keep your peace lily away from air-conditioning vents or heaters, as the air around these areas is especially dry.
Peace lilies do best at room temperature (60 to 75 °F or 15 to 24 °C). For optimal peace lily care, do not keep it in temperatures below 60°F (15.5 °C) because they cannot tolerate cold temperatures.
You can keep your peace lily outside during the summer but be sure to bring it indoors when temperatures drop.
Peace Lily Watering
Peace lily’s watering needs change based on the season.
During the spring and summer, allow the soil to remain consistently moist (but not soaking wet). If you stick a finger in the soil and the top inch feels dry, it is time to water.
When watering, be careful to not soak the soil as that can lead to root rot. If the pot has a drainage hole, discard any water that comes out so the plant does not sit in a saucer filled with water.
Peace lilies require less frequent watering during the winter months. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. Take extra caution not to over water during this time to prevent rot.
Signs of improper watering
Over watering peace lilies or planting them in soil with poor drainage causes rot. Signs of rot include: yellow or brown leaves, leaf drop, brown stems, or black and slimy roots.
Under watered peace lilies have brown, dry leaf tips and look wilted.
Peace Lily Soil
Peace lilies do best in a rich, loose potting soil that is rich in organic material. Add a few cups of perlite to the soil to increase drainage and help prevent rot.
Repotting Peace Lilies
Repot your peace lily when it has become rootbound and outgrown its pot. The best time to repot peace lilies is during the springtime (do not repot during the winter as that is when the plant is dormant).
When repotting, chose a container a few inches wider in diameter than the previous one. Avoid choosing a pot much larger than this because the extra soil retains water and drown the roots.
Pots with drainage holes are best because they remove excess water.
Repotting is also a good time to divide a very large plant into smaller clumps to be individually potted, if you want multiple plants
Peace Lily Fertilization
Fertilize the peace lily once a month during the spring and summer time. Do not fertilize during the winter.
Fertilizing too often causes leaf discoloration. If your plant was over fertilized, flush the soil with distilled water to help remove the extra salts.
Peace Lily Propagation
Propagate your peace lily by following these steps:
- Obtain a cutting about 6 inches long with at least 2 nodes.
- Allow the open cut to dry for several hours.
- Plant the cutting in a pot with well-draining soil.
- Keep the pot in a warm environment and water enough to keep the top inch of soil moist.
- Provide the pot with bright, filtered sunlight and a warm environment.
- Minimize disturbance to the cutting while it grows- it takes 1 to 2 months for cuttings to develop roots.
Warm, humid environments promote propagation growth. Try putting a Ziploc bag with holes poked in it as a cover around the plant to replicate greenhouse conditions and promote moisture. Water regularly to encourage root growth.
Propagating by division
If your peace lily has outgrown its pot, you can propagate by division the next time you repot. Dividing a larger plant to smaller sizes keeps it healthy and promotes flowering.
Take the plant out of the pot and carefully separate the roots. Look for offshoots, which are easier to separate. Then, plant the new divisions into appropriately sized pots.
Peace Lily Toxicity
Like other members of the Araceae family, peace lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause irritation if ingested. Keep them out of reach of children, cats, or dogs.
As long as the plant is out of reach, it is safe to have around. Wear gloves when repotting or pruning the plant to minimize skin irritation.
Related Article: Flamingo Lily Care Guide
Peace Lily Pests
Occasionally, this houseplant may have problems with pests such as spider mites, mealybugs or scale.
Signs of infestation:
- Sticky webbing
- Change in leaf color or shape
- White substance growing on the leaves
- Black powder on the leaves
If you notice any of these signs, check the plant closely for pests. Pay careful attention to the stem-leaf joints and the undersides of the leaves as pests like to lurk there. As soon as you notice signs of infestation, quarantine the peace lily as well as any other infested plants to prevent spread.
Treatment
Wipe the leaves with a soapy hot water solution (1 liter of water mixed with 1 tablespoon of soap) and wash the plant with high pressure water to help dislodge the insects.
Dab a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol at any bugs remaining after the plant is washed (the rubbing alcohol does not harm your plants).
Continue to dab any visible bugs every few days for several weeks as it takes a while to get rid of infestations.
Always inspect plants carefully before bringing them home from the nursery to avoid bringing in any pests.
Peace Lily Care FAQ
How do I revive an over watered peace lily?
It can be difficult to save a peace lily with root rot. Try the following steps to help the houseplant heal:
- Stop watering the plant for a week or two.
- Place it in a well-ventilated room with plenty of bright, indirect light.
- Remove any leaves that are brown (snip their stem right at the base).
If the damage is extensive, you may have to take cuttings from the stem tissue and propagate those (see the propagation section above for more info). You will not be able to save the whole plant but you can grow a new one from the cutting.
Why do my peace lily leaves have brown spots?
There are several reasons for brown spots on peace lily leaves including bacterial infection, excess sunlight, or over watering.
1. Bacterial infection
Bacteria can enter the plant during pruning or when the leaves are punctured. Once infected, bacteria spread to the rest of the plant. It is important to disinfect garden shears between each use to prevent this.
Unfortunately, if the disease is systemic, the plant cannot be saved. It should be discarded to avoid spreading the disease to other plants.
However, if only the leaves are infected, the plant can still be saved. Remove any infected leaves (be sure to disinfect the shears between each cut with rubbing alcohol).
2. Excess Sunlight
Extended exposure to bright, direct light burns the peace lily leaves. This houseplant prefers medium, indirect sunlight.
Move the plant further away from its light source.
3. Over watering
Over watering also causes brown spots. Decrease your watering frequency and ensure the plant is in soil with adequate drainage.
Keep in mind peace lilies require less water during the winter.
In summary for peace lily care…
With their lush green leaves and beautiful blooms, peace lilies are a great houseplant to add to your collection. Provide your peace lily with indirect sunlight, humidity and warm temperatures and it will thrive.
See other plant specific care guides here.
Have any other questions about peace lily care? Leave them down in the comments below!
