Plant Care Guide

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum spp.

The Peace Lily is one of the most iconic and forgiving houseplants, celebrated for its deep green foliage and graceful white blooms that resemble calla lilies. Native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, it thrives in shaded understories, which makes it especially well-suited to indoor life. Beyond its elegant appearance, the Peace Lily is also linked with symbolism—purity, peace, and healing—making it a common gift plant. Studies have even shown it can help filter indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde and ammonia, though it is toxic to pets and people if ingested. With the right balance of indirect light, consistent watering, and moderate humidity, this plant will reward you with long-lasting beauty and a calm, tropical feel in your home or office.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil evenly moist, but never let it stay soggy for long periods. Peace Lilies are forgiving and will wilt to let you know they need water, often bouncing back within hours of a deep soak.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring/Summer: Water weekly, or when the top inch of soil is dry.
  • Fall/Winter: Reduce slightly, but don’t let soil dry out completely.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing leaves, root rot, or a sour-smelling potting mix.

Signs of Underwatering

  • Drooping leaves, brown tips, and dry, compacted soil.

Pro Tips

Use filtered or distilled water—Peace Lilies are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in tap water, which cause brown leaf tips.

Light Requirements

Peace Lilies adapt well to low to medium light, making them excellent for shaded corners and offices. However, bright, indirect light is needed if you want regular flowering throughout the year.

Ideal Placement


  • Indoors: Near an east-facing window or a few feet from a bright north-facing window.

  • Outdoors (summer): Shaded patios or dappled light under larger plants.

Signs of Too Much Light

  • Pale, curled, or scorched leaves.

Signs of Too Little Light

  • No blooms, slow growth, or overly dark leaves with weak petioles.

Pro Tips

Rotate the pot every few weeks to keep foliage growing evenly toward the light source.

Soil and Potting

This plant thrives in a rich, well-draining soil that holds moisture without staying soggy. A blend that mimics the decomposing plant matter of a rainforest floor will give your Peace Lily the ideal environment.

Best Soil Mix (containers)

  • 2 parts high-quality potting soil, 1 part perlite, 1 part compost or coco coir.
  • Slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.8–6.5).

Container Guidance

  • Use a pot with good drainage, ideally terracotta or clay to wick away excess moisture.
  • Peace Lilies prefer to be somewhat root-bound—repot only every 2–3 years.

Pro Tips

Dust leaves monthly with a damp microfiber cloth—dust buildup blocks light absorption and slows growth.

Fertilizing

Peace Lilies are light feeders and only need occasional fertilizing to thrive. When nutrients are provided during the growing season, they produce stronger blooms and healthier foliage.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring/Summer: Use a diluted balanced houseplant fertilizer (20-20-20) every 6 weeks, or add slow-release pellets at the start of the season.
  • Fall/Winter: Hold off on fertilizing when growth slows.

Deficiency Clues

  • No blooms or pale foliage often means low phosphorus or lack of light.
  • Green flowers may signal too much nitrogen.

Pro Tips

Switch to a bloom-focused fertilizer (higher phosphorus) if flowers are sparse.

Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning is minimal but necessary to keep Peace Lilies looking fresh and free from disease. Removing dead leaves and spent blooms allows the plant to redirect energy to new growth.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Cut dead or spent flowers at the base of the stem.
  • Snip yellow or brown leaves with sterile scissors.

Maintenance Notes

  • Wipe leaves clean regularly to prevent dust buildup.
  • Watch for mealybugs or scale on undersides of leaves.

Pro Tips

Don’t cut leaf tips if they brown—trim the entire leaf at the base for the cleanest look.

Common Problems and Solutions

Most Peace Lily problems come from inconsistent watering or improper lighting. With small adjustments, the plant recovers quickly and returns to its lush, healthy state.

Yellow Leaves

  • Cause: Overwatering, underwatering, or poor-quality tap water.

Brown Tips

  • Cause: Fluoride/chlorine in water, low humidity, or fertilizer salt buildup.

Drooping/Wilt

  • Cause: Underwatering, or occasionally root rot.

No Blooms

  • Cause: Too little light, or too much nitrogen.

Pro Tips

Flush the soil every few months with clean water to remove salt buildup from fertilizers and tap water.