Calm, tropical, beautiful. Yes, that sounds good. Growing peace lilies in your favorite room is a big step toward making it feel that way. The white flowers are called “peace lilies” because they look like white peace flags, even though they’re not really lilies. Instead, peace lilies are tropical perennials, which means that if you take good care of them, they can live for years and flower over and over again. They’re easy to care for, don’t need much light, and do a great job of cleaning and purifying the air. They’re great for growing at home or in the office. Peace lilies are also very pretty. They grow to be 1 to 4 feet tall, and their dark green leaves look beautiful against their white flowers.
With their striking white blooms and lush green foliage, peace lily plants are one of the most popular houseplants. Caring for these tropical beauties is easy when you understand their needs Follow this beginner’s guide to keeping your peace lily thriving with the proper water, light, temperature, humidity, and repotting.
An Overview of Peace Lily Care
Peace lilies, or Spathiphyllum, are tropical perennials native to the rainforests of South and Central America They grow up to 4 feet tall with glossy leaves and seasonal flowers Here are their key care needs
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Water: Require consistently moist soil. Water when the top inch becomes dry. Take care not to overwater.
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Light: Tolerate low to bright indirect light but bloom best in brighter spots. Direct sun will scorch leaves.
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Temperature: Prefer consistent temperatures from 65-80°F. Avoid cold drafts.
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Humidity: Enjoy the increased humidity of bathrooms and kitchens. Mist leaves to boost moisture.
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Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix and repot annually in spring.
By providing the right growing conditions, peace lily houseplants will reward you with lush foliage and stunning blooms!
How to Water Peace Lily Plants
Proper watering is crucial to keeping peace lilies happy. Follow these tips:
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Check the soil daily by inserting your finger an inch deep. Water whenever the top inch is dry.
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Completely saturate the soil until water drains from the pot’s base. This ensures it reaches the entire root zone.
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Allow excess water to drain fully from the pot before returning the saucer. Never let the pot sit in water.
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Drooping leaves often indicate under watering. Revival may occur if you soak the pot immediately upon noticing.
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Overwatering can lead to root rot. Allow the soil to partially dry out if this occurs.
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The soil should not remain soggy or muddy. Adjust watering frequency if this happens.
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Potting mixes made for tropicals, orchids or epiphytes provide the fast drainage peace lilies need between waterings.
Pay close attention to your plant’s needs and tweak your watering routine to keep the soil consistently moist but never saturated.
Light Requirements for Peace Lily Plants
Peace lilies can tolerate very low light levels indoors but thrive and bloom best with plenty of indirect sunlight. Here are some lighting tips:
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Place in an east, west, or north facing window where bright light is filtered through sheer curtains.
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South facing rooms work if shaded from direct sun, which will burn the leaves.
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Artificial lighting can supplement low natural light to encourage blooming. Use fluorescent or LED grow lights.
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Rotate the plant periodically for even exposure to light sources. This prevents uneven growth.
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Monitor for leaves yellowing or browning, which indicates too much light. Move to a shadier spot.
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Insufficient light leads to sparse blooms. Gradually transition the plant to a brighter location.
With the right balance of sunlight for their environment, peace lilies will flourish and produce delicate white blooms.
Ideal Temperature for Peace Lily Houseplants
Peace lilies prefer consistent, warm temperatures in the 65-80°F range. Here are some tips for getting their environment right:
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Keep away from drafty areas like front doors, vents, or open windows which can expose them to cold shock.
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Avoid setting plants near heat sources like appliances or fireplaces which can cause drying.
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Move plants to a cooler room at night if daytime temperatures exceed 80°F.
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Use room fans to circulate air and prevent hot spots near sunny windows.
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Monitor for leaf yellowing or drooping, which can signal too cold of a location.
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Place on trays of pebbles and water to increase humidity as needed in dry air environments.
With the right adjustments to their space, peace lilies can be happy at typical indoor temperatures and won’t require special measures.
Providing Humidity for Peace Lilies
The tropical origins of peace lilies mean they appreciate humid conditions, especially when grown as houseplants. Try these tips:
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Place in bathrooms or kitchens where natural humidity occurs from showering or cooking.
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Mist leaves occasionally with a spray bottle of water to imitate tropical dew. Avoid wetting the flowers.
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Use a room humidifier to maintain a consistent 40-50% humidity level.
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Fill a tray with pebbles and water, setting the pot on top so water evaporates up around it.
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Avoid placing in dry environments near heating/cooling vents or fireplaces.
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Monitor for brown-tipped leaves indicating overly dry air. Increase humidity accordingly.
Boosting moisture in the air will help peace lily foliage stay perky and lush. Adjust methods as needed based on your environment.
How to Repot a Peace Lily
Repotting into fresh soil allows peace lily roots to spread and provides nutrients. Some tips:
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Repot annually each spring before active growth resumes.
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Gently remove from pot and loosen any circling roots before repotting.
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Choose a container only 1-2 inches wider than the current pot. Peace lilies like being rootbound.
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Use a quality potting mix for tropicals, avoiding standard garden soil which stays too wet.
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Water thoroughly after repotting and let it drain fully. Shelter the plant while it establishes.
Timely repotting is essential to keep peace lilies vigorous and flowering. Handling with care prevents transplant shock.
Troubleshooting Common Peace Lily Problems
With proper care, peace lilies are generally easy houseplants. But occasionally issues pop up. Here are some fixes:
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Wilty foliage: Underwatering. Soak soil immediately and water more frequently.
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Brown leaf tips: Low humidity. Increase humidity levels as described above.
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Yellow leaves: Overwatering or insufficient light. Adjust watering or lighting as needed.
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No flowers: Too little light. Provide brighter indirect light to encourage blooming.
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Leaf spots: Bacterial or fungal disease. Prune affected foliage. Improve airflow and water drainage.
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Pests: Mealybugs, aphids. Wipe away with cotton swab dipped in alcohol or use insecticidal soap.
Catch problems early and adjust care accordingly for the healthiest peace lily possible.
Enjoying All the Benefits of Peace Lily Plants
With the right care, peace lily houseplants will thrive for years, purifying your air while adding tranquil beauty. Their cascading white blooms provide a perfect pop of color against rich green leaves. By understanding what peace lilies need and implementing good watering, lighting, humidity and repotting practices, even plant-care novices can enjoy growing these tropical favorites. Your home or office will feel more peaceful and inviting with a flourishing peace lily in it!
How to Water Peace Lilies
Peace lilies need consistently moist soil, but they definitely don’t like to sit in standing water. Just water the plant until the overflow starts to come out of the bottom of the pot whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Wait until it stops draining, then set the pot back in its saucer.
Peace lilies don’t usually behave like drama queens, unless you forget to water them. Your favorite plant looks beautiful one day and then falls over in its pot the next day like a teen on the couch from being too tired. Not to worry! Simply water immediately, let the plant soak it up, and water again. That’s it—you’re back on track.
How to Plant Peace Lilies
Peace lilies do well in pots for growing, but they don’t like sitting in pots that are too big for their root balls. Here’s how to plant one:
1. You should choose a pot that drains well and is no more than ⅓ bigger than the peace lily’s root ball.
2. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix should be used to fill the pot ⅓ of the way up. This type of soil doesn’t have any compost or bark in it, which are known to be homes for fungus gnats. The mix also contains coconut coir, which helps soil re-wet easily.
3. So there is room to water, put the plant in the pot so that the top of the root ball is about an inch below the top of the rim.
4. Fill in around the root ball with more potting mix.
5. Give your peace lily water until the bottom of the pot starts to dry out. Then, put a saucer under it and move it to its new spot.
How to care for your Peace Lily | Grow at Home | RHS
FAQ
How often should you water a peace lily?
Where is the best place to put a peace lily?
Are peace lilies easy to care for?
These stately shade-loving plants are not only easy to care for but are excellent at cleaning the air of a home or office. Their deep green leaves and large white blooms add a touch of flair to any indoor space. What’s a Peace Lily? Use these instructions to care for a Peace Lily.
How do you care for a peace lily?
The best care you can give your peace lily is to water it attentively. When (and only when) the potted soil is dry, add enough water to make it damp, but not so much as to create standing water. Too little water will cause the plant to wilt and die – in fact, if you neglect to water your plant, you should be able to see it visibly droop.
How much maintenance does a peace lily need?
The Peace Lily is a plant that requires little maintenance and will show you what it needs. In this plant care guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know