Peace lily plants have been popular houseplants for years because they’re low-maintenance beauties with glossy dark green leaves and pretty spoon-shaped white flowers. “They can live a decade or more with good care,” Justin Hancock, horticulturalist for Costa Farms, says. Most peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.) grow to be about one to four feet wide, though some varieties can get up to six feet tall and wide. Bonus: These air-purifying plants may have air-purifying properties (the science is still out), they’re inexpensive, and you can find them just about everywhere. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about peace lily plants.
How to Care for Peace Lily
Light
“While peace lilies tolerate low and medium light, they love bright light,” Hancock says. “The more light your plant gets, the happier it will be, the faster it will grow, and the more it will bloom.”
Water
Peace lilies like to stay lightly moist. Stick your finger in the soil to check before watering, because you don’t want the roots to stay soggy. A few bits of dirt should stick to your finger, but the soil shouldn’t feel sopping wet. How often you need to water depends on a few things, such as how much light your plant gets. “You can water daily if you apply small amounts, but if you don’t want to mess with that, get a self-watering container,” Hancock says. Self-watering planters allow the plant to take exactly what it needs when it needs it.
Temperature
Peace lily plants like average indoor temperatures, ranging between 65 to 85 degrees.
Humidity
Like most indoor plants, peace lily plants like humidity but tend to do fine in average room conditions. Too little humidity, particularly in the winter, can cause peace lily plants to develop brown leaf tips.
Fertilizer
These plants don’t need a ton of fertilizer. Feed with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, such as 20-20-20, every six to eight weeks during the spring and summer growing season. When mixing, use one-quarter of the recommended strength. But don’t overdo it: Overfertilizing peace lilies can cause the leaf tips to burn and turn brown.
How to Plant and Repot Peace Lily Plants
Peace lilies need well-draining, all-purpose soil. They can also grow in water alone, in which case the base of the plant should sit above the waterline. This allows the roots to grow into the water while keeping the leaves from being constantly submersed, which can cause them to rot.
Peace lilies planted in soil like to be a little root-bound, so you don’t need to repot often—perhaps every few years or more. If you see roots starting to poke out from the bottom of the pot, it's probably time to repot. Repotting isn’t difficult and only takes about 10 minutes.
Types of Peace Lily Plants
There are many different varieties of peace lilies, including these popular types:
- ‘Domino’ is a variegated type that has white splotches on its foliage.
- ‘White Stripe’ has a white line running down the center of each leaf.
- ‘Moana Loa Supreme’ grows up to 4 feet tall with leaves that can be 8 inches across.
- ‘Picasso’ is a rare variety with dramatic white variegation that’s different on every leaf.
- ‘Sonia’ is a type with flowers that curl inward slightly.
How to Get Peace Lily Plants to Bloom
For the best flowers, give a peace lily bright, indirect light (not direct sunlight, which will burn their foliage).
Common Pests and Problems
Peace lilies are fairly resilient and tend to have few pest and disease issues. Most problems occur because they’re not getting sufficient light or due to over- or underwatering. These issues include:
Yellow Leaves
This may occur if your peace lily plant is over- or underwatered or if the pot has become too small and it needs repotted.
Fungus Gnats
These tiny flies that feed on decaying organic matter in the soil may appear when your plant’s soil is too wet. Let it dry out between waterings if you’re having fungus gnat issues.
Brown Leaf Tips
This may be due to too much fertilizer, Cut back and flush the soil by watering thoroughly then letting the excess drain out of the pot.
FAQ
Are Peace Lilies Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Unfortunately, peace lilies (like all lilies) are are toxic to pets, according to the ASPCA. In fact, they’re also poisonous to humans if chewed or swallowed, according to Poison Control. Keep kids and animals away from these pretty plants, which contain calcium oxalate crystals.
If ingested, peace lilies can cause GI upset, drooling, and mouth and throat pain. If you think your child or fur baby has eaten any—even if you’re not sure—call your doctor or vet ASAP. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What Causes Brown Tips on a Peace Lily?
Most commonly, brown tips on a peace lily are due to inconsistent watering, too much or too little water, low humidity, or excessive fertilization. “It’s often frustrating for new plant parents because it’s one symptom, but there can be many causes. It’s like the upset stomach of the plant world,” says Hancock.
Should I Cut the Brown Tips Off My Peace Lily?
Good news: Those unsightly brown tips aren’t hurting your peace lily. “The brown tips don’t affect the plant. It’s more your perception of the plant,” says Hancock. You can trim them off if you don’t like how they look, but it’s not really necessary and won’t impact the plant’s health.
Can Peace Lilies Be Planted Outside?
Peace lilies are not cold hardy, but peace lilies can be planted outdoors in warm regions, such as USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 11 and warmer. Temperatures that dip into the 40s will kill the plant. In warm areas of the country, make sure to give them morning sun and afternoon shade. The same rule applies if you’d like to place your potted peace lily outdoors for the summer—just make sure to bring it indoors when temperatures start to drop into the 50s. (And spray it off with a garden hose before you bring it indoors to prevent any hitchhiking bugs from coming indoors with it.)
