How To Care For Plants

How to care for a peace lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Care facts verified
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), the species that wants bright, indirect light; no direct sun
Photo: VinayarajCC BY-SA 4.0source

The peace lily tells you exactly what it needs: it wilts dramatically when thirsty and revives within hours of a drink, so keep the compost evenly moist in bright, indirect light. Warmth and humidity bring out its white sail-like blooms, while deep shade stops flowering and dry air browns the leaf tips. It is toxic to cats and dogs.

Care at a glance

Light
Bright, indirect light; no direct sunTolerates moderate shade but flowers poorly in it; an east-facing room or a spot back from a bright window suits it. Direct sun scorches the leaves.
Water
Keep the compost evenly moist, never waterloggedWater freely in growth — it visibly droops when dry and recovers fast — but tip away any water left standing, as constant wet rots the roots.
Soil
Moisture-retentive but free-draining mixPeat-free houseplant compost with some added bark; it likes moisture but not a swamp.
Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidityA bathroom or kitchen is ideal; mist it or stand the pot on damp gravel to prevent brown tips.
Temperature
18–24 °C (64–75 °F)Likes consistent warmth; keep above 13 °C (55 °F) and away from cold draughts.
Difficulty
EasyBeginner-friendly because its dramatic wilting makes watering obvious — just don't let it sit in water.
Pets
Toxic to petsToxic to cats and dogs — insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth pain, drooling and vomiting if chewed (ASPCA). Despite the name, it is not a true lily.

Where it comes from

Native rangeTropical rainforests of Central and South America

Propagation

Peace lilies are propagated by division, not cuttings. In spring, slide the plant out of its pot and you will see it is made of several crowns clustered around the roots. Tease or cut the clump into sections, each keeping a fan of leaves and a good share of roots, and pot each one separately into fresh compost.

Water the divisions well and keep them warm and a little shaded for a couple of weeks while they settle. Dividing every few years also rejuvenates a tired, overcrowded plant and often encourages better flowering.

Common problems

  • Whole plant collapses and wilts

    Likely cause: Almost always thirst — the soil has dried out. It can also signal the opposite: roots rotting in waterlogged compost.

    Fix: Feel the soil. If dry, water thoroughly and it should perk up within hours. If soggy, let it dry and check for rot.

  • Brown leaf tips and edges

    Likely cause: Dry air, fluoride or salts in tap water, or over-feeding.

    Fix: Raise humidity, switch to rainwater or filtered water, ease off the fertiliser, and trim the brown tips.

  • No flowers, only leaves

    Likely cause: Too little light, or a very young or recently divided plant putting its energy into roots and foliage.

    Fix: Move it to brighter indirect light and feed lightly in spring and summer; mature, well-lit plants flower most reliably.

  • Green flowers, or flowers that brown quickly

    Likely cause: The white spathe naturally ages to green and then brown; very strong feed can also green up new blooms.

    Fix: This is normal — snip spent flower stems down to the base to keep the plant tidy.

Frequently asked questions

Is a peace lily dangerous to cats like true lilies are?

No — and this is an important distinction. True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis) cause fatal kidney failure in cats. A peace lily is unrelated; the ASPCA lists it as an oral irritant that causes drooling and mouth pain, rarely anything serious.

Why does my peace lily droop even after I water it?

If it stays floppy after watering, the roots may be rotting from being kept too wet, or the rootball dried out so hard that water ran straight through. Check the roots, repot if they are mushy, and soak a bone-dry rootball in a basin.

How do I get my peace lily to flower again?

Give it bright indirect light, steady warmth, and a balanced feed every few weeks in spring and summer. Plants kept too dark stay all-leaf; a well-lit, mature, slightly pot-bound plant flowers most freely.

Should I cut off the brown peace lily flowers?

Yes — once a white spathe turns green and then brown, cut its stalk right down to the base of the plant. Removing spent blooms keeps it looking fresh and channels energy into new flowers and leaves.

Sources

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