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Peace lily care
Spathiphyllum wallisii · Araceae
Also called Spathe flower, White sails, White anthurium.
A clumping aroid from the rainforest floor of Colombia and Venezuela, grown for its dark glossy leaves and white, sail-like spathes. It is one of the few foliage plants that flowers in fairly low light. Many plants sold as peace lilies are cultivars or hybrids, but they all need the same care.
Light
Medium LightWatering
WeeklyDifficulty
EasyPets
Toxic to cats and dogsHeight indoors
0.3-1.2 m
GrowthUnconfirmed
Moderate
Temperature
20-29 °C
Not below 15 °C
Humidity
40% - 60%
Average room humidity
Soil pH
5.5-6.5
Slightly acidic soil
Native to
- Colombia
- Venezuela
Through the year
Keep the soil moist but not soggy and water when the surface starts to dry. Drooping leaves usually mean it needs water.
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Spring
WeeklyRepot if needed and start light feeding.
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Summer
WeeklyCheck the soil often in warm weather and keep it out of direct sun.
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Autumn
WeeklyStop feeding and keep watering whenever the surface dries.
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Winter
Every 2 weeksKeep it above 15 °C, away from drafts, and water a little less.
Feeding
Every 6-8 weeks in spring and summer. Balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at a quarter of the label strength.
Care tips
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Use room-temperature water
Cold water can shock the roots; water left to stand also loses some chlorine.
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Keep it slightly pot-bound
Repot only when roots circle the surface or grow out of the holes, and go up just one size.
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Feed lightly
Too much fertilizer burns the leaf tips; weak, occasional feeding is enough.
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Dust the leaves
Wipe the wide leaves with a damp cloth; it also removes pests hiding underneath.
Common problems
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Brown leaf tips
What you seeThe tips and edges of the leaves dry out and turn brown.
What to doFeed less, flush the soil with plain water, and avoid letting the plant dry out or sit in dry, sunny air.
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No flowers
What you seeThe plant grows leaves but no white spathes.
What to doGive it brighter, filtered light; young plants under a year old may simply not be ready.
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Root rot
What you seeLeaves yellow and wilt even though the soil is wet.
What to doEmpty the saucer after watering, let the top of the soil dry and repot into fresh mix if roots are brown and soft.
Pets
Is peace lily safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals; chewing causes mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.
Good to know
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The white 'flower' is a modified leaf called a spathe wrapped around a spike of tiny true flowers.
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The genus name comes from Greek words for spathe and leaf.
