The peace lily is a flowering tropical plant from the Spathiphyllum genus. Outside of its hardiness zones (11-12 USDA), many people grow the peace lily indoors. Peace lilies are not true lilies but are instead, members of the Araceae family. The evergreen plants are native to Central and South America. There are many kinds of peace lilies in this genus, but most of them have big, shiny, oval leaves. Most peace lilies bloom in the spring, but a healthy one might bloom twice a year, giving you flowers for several months.
Peace lilies are easy to grow and may live for twenty years or more if properly cared for. They are moderate growers and will reach maturity in around three years. People, cats, and dogs can all get sick from peace lilies, so be careful where you put one in your home.
Like many plants, peace lilies carry symbolism. The peace lilys meaning is associated with sympathy, healing, hope, purity, and—naturally—peace. The plant is commonly given as a gift to those who have lost a loved one.
As a proud peace lily owner, you likely admire the plant’s lush green leaves and enjoy its ability to purify indoor air. But nothing beats the excitement of seeing those elegant white blooms finally emerge! Knowing when and how peace lilies flower can help you provide the right care to maximize their blooming potential.
Overview of Peace Lily Flowers
Peace lilies, or Spathiphyllum, produce flowers that feature a prominent white spathe. This specialized bract looks like a white flag of surrender or peace, giving rise to the plant’s common name. The spadix at the center contains tiny true flowers. Together, the spathe and spadix create a pleasing display.
Peace lily flowers are often fragrant, producing a lightly sweet scent. The blooms are long-lasting, each one unfurling from a sheath and remaining in bloom for 4 to 6 weeks before fading. Under optimum conditions, each flower stalk can produce another bloom or two in succession.
When Do They Bloom?
Peace lilies flower primarily in spring In their native tropical habitats, they bloom during the transition from cool, dry conditions to warm, wet conditions The increasing daylight and moisture act as signals to the plant that it’s time to flower.
In home environments peace lilies often begin sending up flower stalks in mid-March and will continue blooming through May. Some varieties or individual plants may start a bit sooner or later.
Many peace lilies will also bloom again in early fall, with flower scapes appearing in September or October. However, fall blooming is less predictable than spring flowering.
Tips for Encouraging Flowers
While peace lily blooms can’t be scheduled on a precise timetable, you can take steps to encourage flowering at optimal times. Here are some tips:
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Provide bright, indirect light from an east or west window. Low light prevents blooming.
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Maintain warm temperatures of 65-80°F. Cooler temperatures can delay flowering.
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Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil dries out, then allow it to dry again. Too much or too little moisture prevents blooming.
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Feed every 6-8 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Keep the plant a bit rootbound in its pot to promote flowering. Repot only when truly necessary.
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Increase light exposure and decrease watering slightly in fall to initiate flower buds.
Why Isn’t My Peace Lily Blooming?
If your peace lily isn’t blooming, it’s likely due to one of the issues below:
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Insufficient light – Without enough bright, indirect sun, blooms won’t develop.
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Overwatering – Too much moisture can lead to root rot and prevent flowering.
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Underfeeding – Lack of nutrients keeps the plant focused on survival rather than flowering.
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Overfertilizing – Excess fertilizer can damage roots and delay blooming.
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Incorrect temperatures – Too hot or too cold temperatures prevent flowers.
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Immaturity – Very young or very old plants often won’t flower.
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Shock – Major changes in environment can disrupt the plant’s blooming cycle.
Caring for Blooming Plants
When your peace lily finally blossoms, keep up the good care:
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Rotate the plant periodically so all sides get sufficient light exposure.
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Keep watering when the top inch of soil becomes dry to the touch.
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Apply fertilizer every 6-8 weeks to support the plant’s increased nutritional needs.
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Remove faded blooms to encourage reblooming. Simply trim back at the base of the flower stalk.
With the right conditions and care, you can look forward to enjoying the elegant blooms and sweet scent of peace lily flowers each spring and fall. Just be patient if flowering is sparse or delayed – over time and with maturity, bloom frequency will improve.
Fertilizer
Peace lilies appreciate frequent feedings, which result in the strongest plant and seasonal blooming. Follow the directions on the package to feed your plant once a week in the summer with a 20-20-20 fertilizer that has been diluted, or use slow-release pellets at the start of the season. You do not need to fertilize the plant during the winter.
How to Encourage More Blooms
The peace lily flower stages are budding, blooming, going to seed, and wilting. The buds are fairly small and unfurl like leaves. It can take some time for them to come into bloom, so be patient. When the bloom fades, deadhead the spent flower. To get more blooms, keep the plant in bright, indirect sunlight and feed it often in the spring and summer to keep its energy up.
Do THIS to Get Your Peace Lily to Flower Again
FAQ
How do you get a peace lily to bloom?
Why are my peace lilies growing leaves but no flowers?
What month do peace lilies bloom?
When does a peace lily bloom?
If you’re hoping to have your indoor peace lily bloom, your best bet is to provide it with very consistent ideal conditions, especially when it comes to humidity, diffused light, and consistent fertilizer. Peace Lily typically blooms in the spring, around April. In optimum conditions, the plant will flower twice a year in spring and fall.
What happens when a peace lily blooms?
When it blooms, the peace lily produces a white flower. Commercial growers generally “force” the blooming before putting the flowers up for sale, thus encouraging the market growth. Even when the flower is gone, the plant has gorgeous green leaves. However, what if you wanted those flowers again?
What do peace lilies look like?
The most striking features of a Peace Lily are its gently curving, creamy-white blooms and the most common questions about Spathiphyllum plants have to do with their flowers. New owners want to know how often their plants will blossom, how long they’ll last, and how to produce more. We’re going to give you a crash course in Peace Lily flowers.
How long do peace lilies last?
They’ll treat their Peace Lilies with a hormone called gibberellic acid, pushing them to flower earlier than normal. If you buy a small Peace Lily from a garden store, don’t count on its flowers returning very soon after they fade. The plant may still be a year or two from true maturity. How Long Do Peace Lily Flowers Last?
When should I fertilize my peace lily?
For these flowers to grow, your plant needs to have plenty of additional nutrients and sunlight. If you want these flowers to start growing, you should fertilize your Peace Lily at the beginning of spring. This is when the flowers start to grow and will stick around for a few weeks. After that, the flowers will dry up and can be pruned.
How many flowers does a peace lily have a year?
If you properly care for the peace lily, you should know that it’s going to produce a handful of flowers within the year. You can expect around one to three flowers every time the plant blooms. But, you have to understand that expecting more numerous blooms is unwise. They are quite rare, and virtually impossible to achieve when you are at home.