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Since most people are likely to buy or receive one at some point in their lives, it is great that peace lily care is as simple as the plant itself. So read on for details on how to provide the best care for these easygoing houseplants to help you grow a peace lily plant with the most vibrant foliage and vigorous blooms.
Peace lilies are tropical species and hybrids of the genus Spathiphyllum, a member of the Araceae family and a popular blooming houseplant. The tropical evergreen is a perennial favorite that is extremely simple to cultivate and maintain.
Peace Lily Care at a Glance
Common name: Peace lily
Scientific name: Spathiphyllum spp.
Soil: Standard potting soil
Light: Bright indirect or morning sun
Water: Enough to keep soil lightly moist
Food: Flowering houseplant food
Temperature and humidity: Standard household to high humidity
Propagation: By division
Safety: Toxic if consumed by pets or people
Peace lilies, a long-standing symbol of optimism, tranquility, and prosperity, are among the most popular houseplants, not just for their beauty or the fact that they enhance air quality, but also because they’re so simple to maintain.
The tropical evergreen, which has glossy, dark-green leaves and white flowers with sheath-like spathes and is native to the jungles of Colombia, Venezuela, and other parts of South America, is accustomed to having patchy sunshine and steady rainfall. Its beautiful blooms debut in early summer and continue to bloom all year.
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Peace Lilies as Houseplants
Peace lily houseplants are suitable for both the home and the office. These lovely plants not only brighten up a space but also help to cleanse the air. Dark green leaves and white “flowers” are the most common features of these plants.
Like many other indoor plants, peace lilies like medium to low light. The appearance of your peace lily plant will decide the sort of light you need to provide.
Peace lilies grown in bright light tend to produce gorgeous white spathes and blooms, while peace lilies grown in low light will bloom less and seem more like a classic foliage plant.
But, as lovely as peace lilies are, they are not as innocent as they appear. The beautiful buds are dangerous and can induce stomach and respiratory problems if taken in sufficient amounts. However, peace lilies should be kept out of the reach of youngsters and dogs at all times.
Different Types of Peace Lily
- Piccolino Peace Lily: Spathiphyllum ‘Piccolino’ is a dwarf and compact cultivar. The plant has gleaming dark green foliage and exquisite white blossoms.
- Sensation Peace Lily: Spathiphyllum’ Sensation’ is the biggest cultivar with huge, strongly ribbed leaves. This huge Spathiphyllum makes a great statement plant in any room and has the same white inflorescence as its smaller siblings.
- Patricia Peace Lily: This petite cultivar has lush green foliage and white blossoms, creating a beautiful contrasting display that will shine brilliantly in your environment.
- Sonia Peace Lily: This lovely cultivar’s tiny structure and stunning white flowers set it apart from other peace lilies.
- Little Angel Peace Lily: ‘Little Angel’ is a small dwarf variety that produces more bracts than other old kinds. The leaves are lustrous and deep green.
- White Stripe Peace Lily: This miniature cultivar has lovely green leaves with a matte sheen and white lines running across the middle.
- Domino Peace Lily: The ‘Domino’ peace lily is a low-maintenance plant with ruffled green leaves patterned with extremely thin white streaks. It contrasts nicely with the white spathes.
- Jetty Peace Lily: This lovely type has lush, glossy, green leaves with lovely, long-lasting white bracts and vigorous growth.
- Mauna Loa Supreme Peace Lily: This peace lily cultivar is medium in size and may reach a height of 3-4 feet. It has glossy green leaves that can grow up to 9-12 inches wide.
- Power Petite: Because of its compact size and dark green lustrous leaves, this cultivar is ideal for use as a houseplant.
Peace Lily Care For Beginners
Soil
Peace lilies like rich, loose potting soil with plenty of organic content. Use a well-draining mix and pot the plant in a terracotta or clay vessel that can wick away excess moisture because the plant is sensitive to damp soil.
Light
Peace lilies thrive in the shadow in their natural environments, but they require a little more filtered light, but not direct sunshine when planted indoors. Curled, pale leaves indicate that the plant is getting too much light, while burned leaves suggest getting too much direct sunlight. In either case, the plant should be moved to a shadier location.
Not sure of the difference between direct and indirect light?
If you place your hand between your plant and the light; and if you feel the heat of the sun on your skin, or if the shadow your hand casts has sharp, hard edges, your plant is indirect light, which is just too extreme for most indoor house plants. If the shadow is soft, that placement has indirect light, and most likely your houseplants are going to be happy there.
Fertilizer
A peace lily may be fertilized with any good-quality, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. After feeding your peace lily, water it to ensure that the fertilizer is uniformly spread around the roots.
Water and Humidity
Consistent moisture is essential when it comes to watering requirements for peace lilies. Keep the soil wet but not soggy. Peace lilies can endure brief periods of dry soil, but their leaves will turn brown if left alone for too long.
Because peace lilies are tropical plants, they should be kept at temperatures above 60°F (16°C). They thrive at temperatures over 70°F (21°C). A high humidity level of 60 percent or more is ideal, although they may withstand low humidity levels, even as low as 50 percent.
How to Get Peace Lilies to Bloom
If your peace lily never blossoms, your best bet is to make sure you’re providing it the proper care. It requires well-draining potting soil that is high in organic materials. Water the plant once or twice a week.
Peace lilies are sensitive to several minerals and pollutants found in tap water; distilled water is advised. Feed your plant a balanced houseplant fertilizer every two to three months. Maintain a low-light atmosphere for the plant, away from direct sunlight. If the plant is in a dark room, gradually bring it into a brighter environment.
How to Propagate
Peace lilies cannot be grown by leaf or stem cuttings; however, they may be easily propagated by division at any time of year. While an expert gardener can produce these plants from seeds, it will take several years for them to blossom.
- Pull separate or cut away the surrounding crowns after removing the entire plant from its container. You might also take out a part of the leading root ball. Any piece with two or more leaves and connected roots has a decent probability of growing.
- Fill a 6-inch container halfway with potting soil wet but not saturated.
- Plant the clusters in the container as soon as possible and water them thoroughly.
- Maintain a warm, well-lit environment for the plant. The roots should be restored in less than a month.
Potting/Repotting Peace Lilies
If your peace lily is severely rootbound, you should report it as soon as possible. Repotting your peace lilies in the spring is ideal. It’s a fantastic time to divide a mature plant into fresh, younger plants while repotting after removing the plant from its old pot, gently separate offshoots and place each one in its little pot filled with new potting mix.
Pests Control in Peace Lilies
Three insects harm peace Lilies: aphids, mealy bugs, and spider mites. Look for aphids if your plant develops a sticky slime. If your foliage starts to turn yellow and dry, look for mealybugs and a cottony substance between the plant’s stems and leaves. A spider mite infestation is indicated by brown spots on the foliage and ‘webbing’ between the leaves. Wipe the affected area with soft tissue and apply a good all-purpose organic pesticide like Neem Oil.
Read an in-depth guide to houseplant pests here.
Diseases in Peace Lilies
If you give it sufficient care, your peace lily will be less prone to pests and diseases. Remove any dead leaves from the plant’s container and the plant itself.
To eliminate dust, wipe off green leaves with a moist cloth regularly. When it comes to peace lily plant illnesses, the two most frequent in Spathiphyllum are Cylindrocladium Spathiphyllum and Phytophthora parasitic, which cause root rot infections.
The first sort of root rot spreads among plants by infected water, whereas the second is via infected soil. If your plant has root rot, you should consider treating peace lily infections. First, attempt to figure out what kind of plant you have. If you detect yellowing leaves and a withering look on a peace lily, you have root rot disease in Spathiphyllum. It most certainly has root rot if its roots are also decaying. Cleaning the roots and repotting the plant in new, nutritious soil will often assist.
FAQs
Do peace lilies require a lot of direct sunlight?
No, Bright indirect light is preferred for peace lilies. Morning light is typically tolerable, but the stronger afternoon sun is not.
Are Peace Lilies Toxic To Pets?
All parts of the peace lily, including the leaves, stems, and blooms, are deadly when eaten. Peace lilies should be grown in an adult-only household or a place away from children and pets.
Are They Perennials?
Even though they aren’t lilies, the white flowers resemble white flags of peace, hence the name “peace lily.” Instead, they’re tropical perennials, meaning that peace lilies may live for years and bloom again with appropriate care.
How Fast Do They Grow?
Your peace lily can grow anywhere from 1 to 6 inches per year, and it takes three to five years to mature.
Can Peace Lilies Grow Outside?
Though most peace lilies are cultivated as houseplants, if you reside in zones 10 to 12, you may grow them outside as well.
where should I put my peace lily?
Place your peace lilies in a location where they will get strong indirect light or only morning sun.
Do peace lilies like being sprayed with water?
Yes, peace lily plants benefit from a tiny mist of water every now and then. Hard water should not be used for misting since it might leave stains on the dark green leaves.
Are Peace Lilies Difficult to care for?
Peace lilies are low-maintenance plants that provide beautiful scents. Regular waterings, suitable temperatures (above 65 degrees), and medium to dappled indirect sunshine are the most critical conditions for growing peace lilies.
Conclusion
The ever-popular Peace Lily is one of the most steadfast and dependable home plants available. It thrives in low-light environments, and with its thick dark green foliage and brilliant long white blooms, it’s one of the more visually appealing plants you can add to your indoor collection.
Furthermore, they are incredibly light tolerant and may thrive even under less-than-ideal settings. Peace lily plants are also low-maintenance and adapt quickly to their new surroundings.