How to Care for a Peace Lily Houseplant

Care guide for Peace Lily houseplants in 6- or 10-inch pots, including watering, light, humidity, soil, fertilizing, blooms, grooming, and propagation.

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.) are among the most popular houseplants thanks to their glossy green leaves and elegant white blooms. Native to tropical rainforests of Central and South America, they thrive in lower light indoors and are easy to recognize because their leaves droop dramatically when thirsty, then perk up again after watering.

Light

Peace lilies do best in bright, indirect light. They tolerate low-light areas, but flowering will be reduced. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. A thirsty peace lily will let you know by wilting, but it usually recovers quickly once watered. Always empty excess water from the saucer or decorative pot after 10 minutes to prevent root problems.

Watering guidelines by pot size:
6-inch pot: About 1 cup of lukewarm water

10-inch pot: About 3 cups of lukewarm water

If your plant is in a Wick and Grow pot here is how the pot works: Wick and Grow self-watering system

Humidity & Temperature

Peace lilies prefer above-average humidity and temperatures above 60°F. Brown tips may appear in dry air — using a pebble tray or humidifier can help. Keep them away from drafts, heater vents, and fireplaces.

Soil

Use a quality coir- or peat-based, well-draining potting mix made for houseplants. 

Fertilizer

Feed about once a month in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half strength or use a time-release fertilizer pellet made for houseplants. Do not fertilize in winter, when growth slows. Too much fertilizer can cause brown leaf tips.

Blooms

Peace lilies are known for their distinctive white blooms. What looks like a flower is actually a spathe (a modified white leaf) that surrounds the spadix, a spike covered in tiny true flowers. Blooms rise above the foliage on long stalks and can appear several times a year if the plant is getting enough light.

As the flowers mature, the spadix produces pollen, which may fall onto the leaves. This can leave yellow or brown dust-like stains, but it doesn’t harm the plant. Simply wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to keep them clean. Spent blooms can be trimmed off at the base to encourage fresh growth.

Grooming

Wipe leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust. Trim off faded blooms and yellowing leaves to encourage fresh, healthy growth.

Propagation

Peace lilies are propagated by division, not by stem cuttings.

1. Remove the plant from its pot.

2. Identify clumps of leaves with their own roots.

3. Gently tease apart or cut the roots to separate sections.

4. Repot each division in fresh potting mix.

Spring and early summer are the best times to divide, as plants recover quickly during active growth.

If you need to repot your plant here is a helpful video.