Peace lilies, with their elegant white blooms and lush green foliage, are a popular choice for adding a touch of tranquility to homes and offices. Known for their air-purifying qualities and relatively easy care, peace lilies ( Spathiphyllum ) can thrive and bring beauty to your space with the right approach. Watering is a crucial element in peace lily care, and understanding its nuances is key to a healthy plant. It’s important to only water your peace lily when the top third of the soil has dried out. You can check this by feeling the topsoil; if only small soil particles stick to your finger, it’s not yet time to water. Peace lilies don’t typically experience dormancy, so the watering frequency remains consistent throughout the year.
Light and Location for Peace Lilies
Dusting peace lily leaves enhances their photosynthesis process.
Peace lilies flourish in environments that mimic their native tropical rainforest habitat. This means providing them with bright, indirect sunlight. A north, north-east, or north-west facing window is often ideal, offering gentle light without harsh direct sun. Smaller peace lily plants are well-suited for windowsills in these locations. Avoid placing peace lilies on shelves unless there’s a direct overhead light source, such as a skylight, as they require sufficient light to thrive.
Dust accumulation on peace lily leaves is a common issue that can hinder photosynthesis. Regularly wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth will not only improve the plant’s ability to convert light into energy but also enhance its overall appearance, keeping it looking vibrant and healthy.
Soil and Fertilizing Needs for Peace Lilies
Soil: When it comes to repotting your peace lily, selecting the right soil is crucial. Opt for a peat-free ‘house plant’ labeled potting mix, readily available at most garden centers. For a potentially higher quality option, consider a potting mix specifically labeled for ‘peace lilies,’ though these may be slightly more expensive. Both options are formulated to provide the drainage and aeration peace lilies need.
Fertilizer: Peace lilies are responsive to consistent feeding. Utilize a ‘house plant’ labeled fertilizer every third watering throughout the year to provide essential nutrients. To encourage more frequent flowering, consider using a foliar spray fertilizer every two weeks. Foliar feeding allows for direct nutrient absorption through the leaves, potentially boosting bloom production.
Temperature and Humidity for Peace Lilies
Peace lilies thrive in typical household temperatures, ideally between 15–25℃ (59–77°F). It’s vital to protect them from temperatures below this range, as cooler temperatures increase the risk of leaf damage and root rot. If your home has dry air, you can increase humidity around your peace lily by placing it on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Ensure the water level is just below the pebbles, preventing the pot from sitting directly in water which can lead to root rot. The evaporating water will create a humid microclimate around the plant, mimicking its preferred environment.
Pruning Your Peace Lily
Regular pruning helps maintain the peace lily’s aesthetic appeal and overall health. Using clean scissors or pruning shears, remove any brown leaves or spent flowers as they appear. If you notice yellowing leaves, resist the urge to prune them immediately. Allow yellow leaves to turn brown completely before removal, as the plant can still draw nutrients from them during this transition.
Staking Peace Lilies: When and Why
Staking is generally not necessary for peace lilies. However, consistently drooping or outward-leaning leaves might indicate an underlying issue like root rot. If the leaves are all leaning towards a window’s light, simply rotate the pot 180 degrees to encourage more even growth and straighten the plant’s appearance.
How to Repot a Peace Lily: A Step-by-Step Guide
Peace lilies prefer to be slightly pot-bound, so frequent repotting is not needed. When repotting becomes necessary, handle the root system with care to minimize transplant shock. Signs of transplant shock include wilting or yellowing leaves shortly after repotting.
- Prepare for Repotting: Water the peace lily thoroughly about twelve hours before repotting. This helps hydrate the plant and reduces stress during the process.
- Select a New Pot: Choose a pot that is only slightly larger, just a few centimeters wider than the original pot.
- Prepare the Potting Mix: Add about 4cm of fresh, peat-free ‘house plant’ or ‘peace lily’ labeled potting mix to the bottom of the new pot.
- Repot the Peace Lily: Gently remove the peace lily from its current pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Place the root ball on top of the fresh compost in the new pot.
- Fill and Settle the Soil: Fill the gaps around the root ball with more fresh compost. Gently tap the sides of the pot to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
- Water Thoroughly: Water the newly repotted peace lily thoroughly until water drains from the drainage holes.
- Return to Original Location: Place the repotted peace lily back in its original location to minimize environmental shock.
How to Propagate a Peace Lily: Dividing Offsets
Propagating peace lilies by carefully removing and separating side shoots or offsets.
The most common method for peace lily propagation is division, ideally done in the spring. Extreme care is needed when dividing peace lilies due to their sensitive root systems. Disturbing the roots can lead to transplant shock, resulting in wilting even after watering. Division is best suited for peace lilies that are older than two years.
- Prepare for Division: Water the peace lily soil approximately 12 hours before you plan to divide it.
- Remove from Pot and Identify Offsets: Take the peace lily out of its pot and locate the offsets. These appear as smaller, individual plants growing around the base of the main plant.
- Separate Offsets: Using a clean, sharp knife, carefully cut the offsets away from the parent plant. You should hear a slight ‘snap’ as they separate.
- Tease Roots and Pot Offsets: Gently separate the roots of the offsets from the main root ball. Pot each offset individually in 10cm pots filled with peat-free house plant compost.
- Care for Parent Plant: Keep the parent plant in its original pot for another year. Fill any gaps created by division with fresh compost. Continue caring for the parent plant as usual.
- Care for Offsets: Care for the new peace lily offsets in the same manner as the parent plant.
Common Peace Lily Issues and How to Diagnose Problems
Yellow leaves on a peace lily can indicate various issues from overwatering to natural aging.
Yellowing Older Leaves: It’s normal for peace lilies to develop yellowing older leaves, especially as they age. If only one or two leaves yellow per month or even less frequently, it’s usually not a cause for concern. However, if more than a third of the leaves are turning yellow, investigate for potential root rot.
Root Rot: To check for root rot, examine the root system. Healthy roots are typically firm and white to light tan. Root rot is indicated by brown or mushy roots that easily detach from the soil with minimal resistance.
Lack of Flowers: Insufficient flowering can often be attributed to improper lighting conditions (too little indirect light or incorrect temperatures). Ensure your peace lily is in a location with bright, indirect light and consistent temperatures. Regular fertilization every third watering can also significantly encourage flowering.
Brown Leaf Tips: Brown leaf tips can be a natural part of leaf maturation. However, rapid browning of leaf tips may suggest dehydration, either from underwatering or low humidity.
Curling or Drooping Leaves: Curling or drooping leaves can be caused by several factors: excessive heat or direct sunlight, transplant shock, or root rot. Ensure your peace lily is placed in a location with average room temperatures, away from direct sunlight (especially south-facing windows), and is not sitting in standing water. If transplant shock is suspected, maintain proper watering habits (only when the top third of soil is dry) and allow the plant time to recover.
Peace Lily Toxicity: Important Safety Information
Peace lilies are classified as poisonous if ingested by humans and pets. Keep peace lilies out of reach of children and animals that may be tempted to chew on the leaves or flowers.
Peace Lily Varieties to Grow
Peace Lily ‘Diamond’ variety showcasing its unique variegated foliage.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Chopin’: The most common and classic peace lily variety, widely available in garden centers. Size (H x W): 50cm x 50cm
- Spathiphyllum ‘Pearl Cupido’: A medium-sized variety known for its striking, dark green leaves. Size (H x W): 1m x 80cm
- Spathiphyllum ‘Diamond’: A newer variety distinguished by white variegations on its leaves, resembling paint splatters. Size (H x W): 80cm x 0.5m
- Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’: The largest peace lily variety commonly cultivated. Best suited for spacious rooms with ample window light. Size (H x W): 1.3m x 1m
Frequently Asked Questions About Peace Lily Care
Where is the best place to put a peace lily in my house?
The ideal location for a peace lily is within 1 meter of a north, north-east, or north-west facing window, ideally on a windowsill. Ensure the location doesn’t receive more than two hours of direct sunlight daily to prevent leaf scorch.
What are the disadvantages of peace lilies?
Two primary downsides of peace lilies are their susceptibility to root rot, particularly when placed far from windows (more than 1 meter), and their toxicity if ingested.
How long do peace lily flowers last?
Peace lily blooms typically last for at least two months. After the blooming period, the plant will continue to produce new leaves and may flower again in the following spring.
What does an overwatered peace lily look like?
Signs of overwatering in peace lilies include an earthy smell from the soil or mold growth on the surface. The leaves may turn yellow, curl, or wilt, even when the soil is consistently moist.
Should I cut brown tips off peace lily leaves?
Yes, pruning brown leaf tips can improve the aesthetic appearance of your peace lily.
How can I encourage my peace lily to flower again?
To encourage re-blooming, place your peace lily in a bright location out of direct sunlight. Using foliar fertilizer sprays every two weeks can also help stimulate flower production.
