Spathiphyllum (AKA peace lilies) with their elegant white blooms and lush foliage, are beautiful additions to any indoor space. Peace lily care indoors is relatively straightforward, making them a popular choice for homes and offices alike.
These low-maintenance plants thrive in the home, even in low-light conditions. Their pristine white flowers, which resemble delicate trumpets or lilies add a touch of grace and beauty to any setting.
Keep reading to learn about caring for peace lily indoors, to make sure they flourish in any indoor setting.
Facts about peace lily
Peace lilies are not true lilies, in spite of their common name. Brush up on your knowledge of this stunning plant with these fun facts.
- botanical name – Spathiphyllum spp.
- family – Araceae – Other members of this family are philodendrons, anthuriums, and caladiums.
- type – Tender perennial
- sun exposure – Prefers partial sun and can adapt to lower light conditions.
- bloom time – Spring through summer and the blooms are long lasting.
- mature size – Plants that can reach a height and spread of around 1 to 4 feet (30 to 120 centimeters) under ideal conditions. (up to 6 feet outdoors)
- native to – Native to the rainforests of Central and South America
- common names – In addition to the most commonly used common name Peace Lily, spathiphyllum is also known as White Sails, Spathe Flower, White Flag and Closet Plant.
- symbolism – The blooms are thought to represent peace, tranquility, hope, and harmony. They are considered a lucky plant by many people.
- toxicity – Toxic to pets and humans
If you are looking for a beautiful indoor plant with flowers that last for weeks and even months, peace lily is a great choice.
This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.
Peace lily care indoors
Peace lilies are known for their low-maintenance nature, making them popular with gardeners of all skill levels. Here are some tips to get the most out of your plant.
Sunlight needs for spathiphyllum
Peace lilies prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate low-light conditions. Placing them near a north or east-facing window is ideal.
I have my plant situated below a window on the floor in a north facing window and it has adapted well to this spot.
Be careful of too much sun, since direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) and prefer slightly humid environments.
Misting will help to keep the plant happy. I bring my peace lily outdoors in the summer time. It seems to benefit from time outside in the shade with my hostas.
You can grow it outdoors all year long in the warmer zones – zones 10 and 11. If your temperatures are colder than this in the winter, spathiphyllum is best grown as an indoor plant.
Watering requirements for peace lily indoors
Maintaining the right moisture level is important for peace lilies. While they enjoy slightly moist soil, overwatering can lead to root rot.
A good practice is to water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Be sure to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Remember to empty the saucer to prevent the plant from sitting in water. My plant sits in a decorative outer sauce and I make sure to empty this after the water has drained out.
Fertilizing and soil needs for peace lily care indoors
When it comes to potting your peace lily, choose a container with drainage holes to prevent the soil from staying too wet. Peace lilies prefer well-draining potting mix rich in compost or other organic matter.
A typical mix consists of equal parts peat moss, perlite, and pine bark. Repotting when the plant outgrows its container helps maintain healthy growth. However, peace lilies seem to do best when they are slightly pot bound.
The ideal pH is 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral.)
During the growing season, spring to early fall, feed your peace lily with a liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month. You do not need to fertilize the plant during the winter.
Can peace lilies be grown in water?
Yes, peace lilies can grow in water alone, although they typically prefer soil-based growing mediums. You will sometimes see them for sale in vases without any soil.
If you grow them this way, the plant should be suspended above the water line if possible to allow only the roots to grow down into the water but keeps leaves from being constantly wet, which can cause rot.
Growing peace lily in water is referred to as hydroponics or water culture.
Flowers and foliage of peace lilies
One of the best things about peace lilies is that both the blooms and the foliage are very attractive!
The foliage of spathiphyllum is characterized by lush, glossy green leaves, which emerge from a central point and fan outwards. The leaves are typically long, and lance-shaped, with prominent veins running through them, adding to their visual appeal.
Peace lily foliage has a graceful, arching habit and a shiny surface which reflects the light.
The NASA clean air study has shown that the leaves of peace lily, as well as parlor palm, and several other plants are considered air purifying plants.
Peace lily blooms are characterized by their pristine white color and distinctive spathe-and-spadix structure.
The spathe, often mistaken for a petal, is a modified leaf that wraps around the spadix, a central spike containing tiny, densely packed flowers.
One of the remarkable features of peace lily blooms is their longevity. Under the right conditions, each flower can last several weeks to months, providing continuous beauty throughout the blooming season.
As the blooms age, they gradually turn green, adding a unique charm to the plant.
Peace lily maintenance indoors
Regular pruning helps keep your peace lily looking tidy and encourages healthy growth. Remove yellowing or dead leaves promptly to prevent the spread of disease.
Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust and maintain their glossy appearance.
Diseases and insects
Peace lilies are relatively resistant to pests and diseases. Occasionally, they may encounter issues such as scale and mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, or leaf spot diseases.
However, these problems are usually minor and can be addressed with simple preventive measures or treatments.
Spathiphyllum propagation
Get new plants for free by propagating peace lily through division at repotting time.
Gently separate the plant into smaller sections, ensuring each division has roots attached. Plant them in separate containers with fresh potting mix, and keep them moist until new growth appears.
Is peace lily poisonous?
Spathiphyllum spp. is known to be quite toxic to pets and mildly toxic to humans. Like dieffenbachia, peace lily plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that are released when the plant is chewed and can cause oral pain, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea.
Very rarely swelling in the mouth may lead to difficulty breathing. For these reasons, take care to keep your plant away from kids and pets.
Share this post about peace lily care indoors on Twitter
If you enjoyed learning how to grow spathiphyllum, be sure to share this post with a friend. Here is a tweet to get you started:
Discover the secrets to growing stunning peace lilies indoors! 🌿✨ Learn expert tips for care, lighting, and more in our latest blog post on The Gardening Cook. . #PeaceLily #IndoorGardening #OutdoorPlants #Houseplants #GreenThumb Share on X
Where to buy peace lily indoor plant
Check out your local Lowe’s, (I bought my plant there) Home Depot, and Walmart stores around Easter time. I see the plant for sale often in these stores.
Another place to check is your local Farmer’s Market or small local nurseries to see if they have it in stock.
If you cannot find one locally, there are many places online to find peace lily for sale.
- Etsy has spathiphyllum in 6 inch pots.
- You can buy variegated peace lily on Etsy.
- Costa Farms sells large peace lilies on Amazon.
Pin spathiphyllum care tips for later
Would you like a reminder of this post for peace lily care indoors? Just pin this image to one of your Pinterest gardening boards so that you can easily find it later.
You can also watch our video for growing a potted peace lily plant indoors on YouTube.
How to Grow Peace Lily - Growing Tips for Spathiphyllum
Spathiphyllum - also known as peace lily, is an easy to care for houseplant with very long lasting blooms. These care tips for potted peace lily will help you get the most out of your plant.
Print out these tips and add them to your garden journal.
Materials
- Peace lily plant
- Liquid fertilizer
Tools
- Watering can
Instructions
- Place your plant in a location that gets bright indirect light. A north or east facing window is suggested. Avoid too much direct sunlight.
- Choose a location with temperatures between 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C).
- Mist often to increase humidity for the plant.
- Water when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch. Allow to drain well.
- The ideal pH is 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral.)
- Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with half strength liquid fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in the winter months.
- Propagation is through division of the roots.
- Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust and maintain their glossy appearance. Peace lilies are air purifying plants.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
