Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Other names: Spathe flower, white sails
The peace lily has glossy, dark green leaves and white, sail-shaped spathes that last for weeks. It is one of the few flowering houseplants that copes with low light, and it wilts visibly when it needs water, which makes it easy to read.
How to grow peace lily
Light
Medium to bright, indirect light is best. It tolerates low light but flowers less. Keep it out of direct sun, which burns the leaves.
Watering
Keep the mix evenly moist but not wet. Water when the top inch (2.5 cm) is dry or when the leaves just start to droop. The plant is sensitive to chlorine and fluoride, so use filtered water or let tap water stand overnight if leaf tips brown.
Soil and feeding
Use a peat-free potting mix that holds moisture, lightened with perlite. Feed every six weeks in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer at half strength.
Pruning and upkeep
Cut faded flower stalks and yellow leaves at the base. Wipe dust from the leaves with a damp cloth. Repot every one to two years in spring.
Propagation
Divide the clump when repotting. Each division needs several leaves and its own roots.
Common problems
- Drooping leaves
- Usually thirst. Water well and the plant recovers in hours. If the soil is already wet, the roots are rotting and the plant needs fresh, drier mix.
- Brown leaf tips
- Chemicals in tap water, fertilizer build-up or dry air. Flush the pot with clean water and switch to filtered water.
- No flowers
- Too little light. Move it to a brighter spot out of direct sun. Flowers also turn green naturally as they age.
Questions about peace lily
How do I get my peace lily to bloom again?
Give it brighter, indirect light and a light feed in spring. Plants kept in dim rooms stay healthy but rarely flower.
Is a peace lily a real lily?
No. It belongs to the arum family, Araceae. True lilies are in the genus Lilium and are far more dangerous to cats.
Plant details
| Botanical name | Spathiphyllum wallisii |
|---|---|
| Family | Araceae |
| Native range | Tropical Central and South America |
| Plant type | Houseplants. Evergreen perennial |
| Soil | Moisture-retentive potting mix with perlite |
| Flower color | White |
