Growing Peace Lily Plants: Watering, Light, Repotting, and Pests
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Learn how to care for a peace lily, one of the most popular indoor plants. These beautiful houseplants are fairly easy to grow, but knowing how often to water peace lilies and what to do if their leaves droop or turn yellow is essential. Plus, find tips on how to repot your peace lily to keep it happy!
About Peace Lilies
Peace lilies are not true lilies. They are tropical, evergreen plants in the Arum family, native to tropical Central and South America. These plants thrive on the forest floor, receiving dappled sunlight and consistent moisture and humidity. Replicating these conditions in the home is the key to keeping your peace lily happy and healthy.
With enough light, peace lilies produce white to off-white flowers starting in the early summer and continue to bloom throughout the year in the right conditions.
Most household varieties of peace lily grow up to 16 inches tall, but larger outdoor cultivars can have leaves up to 6 feet tall. Peace lilies are not cold-hardy, so they can only be grown outdoors in warm, humid climates (USDA Zones 10, 11).
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.
Growing
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
- How often should you water your peace lily? It’s not the number that matters but the dryness of the soil that 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, if possible.
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°F and 75°F degrees (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.
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 phosphorous, which plants need for blooming.
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-size variety with attractively variegated leaves.
- ‘Mojo Lime’, which has lime-green foliage, is another medium-size peace lily.
Wit and Wisdom
- The peace lily is said to have gotten its common name from its white flowers, which rise timidly above its green foliage and resemble white flags of peace.
- Despite the peace lily’s common name, it is not related to true lilies at all.
- The plant’s attractive 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 lilies are poisonous to dogs. Learn more about houseplants that are toxic to your pets.
Photo by W. Carter/Wikimedia
Catherine Boeckmann
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Older leaves will eventually die off naturally, but dry, brittle leaves indicate that the plant needs more water or is getting scorched by the sun.
Just bought a new one. My old one had BLACK leaves and I could not please it. My new is in a East window also. It does get morning sun but the rest of the day in sheltered. I think I did over water as I watered every Sat. All my other plants are ok with that. I live in Az. so it will be getting dry when the summer months come in. All advice will be adhered to. Thanks in advance
There is a lack of humidity in the Arizona air. Put your plant on a tray with stones and water, this will create more humidity for your plant. Also try filtered, room temperature water if your tap water has fluoride in it. I usually water when the leaves are slightly wilted as to not over water. East window is the best as you have it. Good luck, hope this helps! :-)
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!
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.
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!
Yes, that’s fine! The leaves may bend and not look as good, but the plant won’t suffer.
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.
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??
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.
