Peace Lily

How to care for Peace Lily

Light

Spathiphyllum wallisii thrives in bright to moderate indirect light but is one of the more adaptable houseplants when it comes to lower-light conditions. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it scorches the leaves and causes yellowing. A north- or east-facing windowsill, or a position set back from a south- or west-facing window, suits it well. Flowering is more prolific in brighter conditions, so if the plant is producing very few spathes, moving it closer to a light source may help.

Watering

Water moderately throughout the year, aiming to keep the compost evenly moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top centimetre of compost to dry out slightly between waterings, then water thoroughly until it drains freely from the bottom. Reduce watering somewhat in winter when growth slows. Both overwatering, which causes root rot, and underwatering, which causes wilting and brown leaf tips, are common problems. Using room-temperature, ideally filtered or rainwater is advisable as this species is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine found in tap water.

Soil and potting

A fertile, well-draining, peat-free compost is ideal. A mix of good-quality multipurpose compost combined with perlite or coarse horticultural grit in a ratio of roughly 3:1 provides adequate drainage while retaining sufficient moisture. Heavy, compacted compost that holds too much water will lead to anaerobic conditions around the roots and increase the risk of root rot. The plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, roughly 5.8 to 6.5.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser at half strength once a month during the active growing season from spring through to early autumn. Avoid feeding in winter when growth is minimal, as excess fertiliser salts can accumulate in the compost and cause tip burn on the leaves. Over-feeding can also cause a build-up of salts that damages the root system. If brown crusty deposits appear on the compost surface, flush the pot through with plain water to leach out accumulated salts.

Humidity and temperature

As a tropical species, Spathiphyllum wallisii performs best with humidity levels above 50%. In centrally heated homes, where air tends to be dry, placing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles, grouping it with other plants, or using a room humidifier will help. Regular misting is less reliable and can encourage fungal spots on the leaves if ventilation is poor. The plant prefers temperatures between 15 and 23 degrees C and should not be exposed to temperatures below 12 degrees C or cold draughts. Avoid placing it near radiators, which dry the air and may scorch foliage.

Repotting

Repot every one to two years in spring when roots begin to circle the base of the pot or emerge from the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size at a time, as a disproportionately large pot retains excess moisture and increases the risk of root rot. Gently tease away old compost from the roots, remove any that are brown and mushy, and replant in fresh compost. After repotting, water lightly and keep the plant in a warm, sheltered spot for a few weeks while it re-establishes.

Pruning

Little pruning is required beyond routine maintenance. Remove yellow, brown or damaged leaves by cutting them cleanly at the base of the stem with clean, sharp scissors or secateurs. Once a spathe has faded and turned green or brown, cut the flower stem back to the base to keep the plant tidy and encourage further blooming. Avoid tearing leaves off, as this leaves ragged tissue that can become an entry point for disease.

Is Peace Lily toxic?

Common problems

How to propagate

Division

The most reliable method. At repotting time in spring, gently separate the root ball into two or more sections, each with at least two or three healthy leaves and a portion of roots. Pot each division individually into fresh compost and keep warm and humid until new growth appears.

Offset separation

Mature plants regularly produce offsets or side shoots around the base. These can be detached when they have developed their own roots, potted individually into small containers, and treated as young plants.

Where Peace Lily comes from

Native to Colombia, Venezuela. Now naturalised or cultivated in 9 other regions worldwide.

Story and origins

The genus name Spathiphyllum is derived from the Greek words 'spathe', meaning a blade or flat surface, and 'phyllon', meaning leaf, referring to the large, leaf-like spathe that encloses the flower spadix. The species epithet wallisii honours Gustav Wallis (1830 to 1878), a German botanist and plant collector employed by the Veitch nurseries in England, who gathered specimens across South America and the Philippines. The common name peace lily is thought to refer to the pure white spathe, which resembles a white flag, a traditional symbol of truce or peace.

Spathiphyllum wallisii was formally described by the German botanist Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1879, based on material collected by Gustav Wallis during his expeditions to Colombia. The genus Spathiphyllum was first established by Carl Ludwig Blume in 1835 and encompasses around 50 species distributed across tropical Americas and south-east Asia. The plant entered the horticultural trade in Europe towards the end of the nineteenth century and became widely popular as a houseplant during the latter half of the twentieth century, particularly following the proliferation of cultivars bred for compact size and reliable flowering. In many cultures, the peace lily has come to be associated with sympathy and remembrance, and it is frequently given as a condolence gift. Its association with purity and spiritual peace is reflected in its use in religious ceremonies in some Latin American countries.

Varieties to know

Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa'

A larger hybrid commonly sold under the species name; produces abundant spathes and can reach 90 cm in height.

Spathiphyllum 'Sensation'

One of the largest cultivars available, with bold, ribbed leaves that can exceed 50 cm in length.

Spathiphyllum 'Domino'

Distinctive for its irregularly variegated leaves streaked and spotted with creamy white.

Spathiphyllum 'Petite'

A compact dwarf form, typically reaching 30 cm, suitable for small spaces and windowsills.

Fun facts

• NASA's 1989 Clean Air Study identified Spathiphyllum wallisii as one of a group of plants capable of removing benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air in controlled laboratory conditions, though real-world air-purifying effects in domestic spaces are far more modest.
• The white spathe is not a petal but a modified leaf called a bract; the true flowers are the tiny structures densely packed along the central spadix.
• In the wild, Spathiphyllum wallisii grows in humid, shaded stream banks and forest floors in Colombia and Venezuela, often with its roots partially submerged during wet seasons.
• The plant was named in honour of Gustav Wallis, a German plant collector who worked for the Veitch nursery and collected specimens in South America during the 1870s.
• A single peace lily plant can bloom twice a year, typically in spring and again in early autumn, when given adequate light and a slight reduction in temperature beforehand.

Peace Lily FAQ