How to Grow Peace Lily
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
flowerPeace lilies are elegant tropical houseplants known for their glossy, dark green foliage and distinctive white spathes (modified leaves) that resemble flowers. They are prized for their ability to thrive in low-light conditions and their air-purifying properties. These plants are non-toxic and make excellent indoor companions for homes and offices.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10b-11 outdoors; widely grown indoors worldwide
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Growth Stages
Establishment
2-4 weeksNew plant acclimating to indoor environment with stable foliage but minimal new growth
Water lightly, maintain humidity, avoid repotting for 2-3 weeks. Keep away from heating vents and cold drafts.
Vegetative Growth
3-6 monthsNew leaves emerging from center of plant; foliage becomes fuller and lusher
Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Feed with balanced houseplant fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during growing season.
Budding & Flowering
4-8 weeks per bloom cycleWhite spadix (flower spike) emerges from center, followed by white spathe unfolding around it
Maintain bright indirect light and regular watering. Ensure adequate humidity. Avoid moving plant during bloom.
Mature Blooming
4-12 weeksMultiple white spathes fully opened, creating dramatic display; blooms last 4-12 weeks
Continue regular care. Remove spent flowers by cutting at base to encourage new blooms. Maintain temperature between 65-75°F.
Rest Period
2-4 months (typically winter)Fewer new blooms; plant focuses on foliage growth or enters dormancy if conditions cool
Reduce watering slightly and cease fertilizing during winter rest. Maintain humidity and bright indirect light.
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, mist leaves daily, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days
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Wipe with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab, isolate plant, spray with neem oil weekly
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Manually remove with soft brush, treat with horticultural oil spray, repeat every 2 weeks
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Allow soil surface to dry between waterings, use sticky traps, apply sand mulch layer on soil
Uses
Air Purification
HouseholdPeace lilies remove formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from indoor air, making them valuable for improving air quality in homes and offices. [source]
Low-Light Décor
HouseholdThrives in interior spaces with minimal natural light, making them perfect for offices, bathrooms, and interior rooms where other plants struggle. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeIn tropical gardens (zones 10-11), white spathes attract pollinators and add architectural interest to shaded outdoor plantings. [source]
Traditional Use
MedicinalIn traditional medicine systems, peace lily extracts have been used to reduce inflammation, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]
Humidity Indicator
HouseholdPeace lilies visibly droop when thirsty, providing a clear signal for watering—helpful for beginners learning proper hydration timing. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Peace lilies are ornamental houseplants, not harvested. Enjoy blooms by cutting spent flowers at the base to promote new flowering. In warm climates (zones 10-11), can be grown outdoors in partial shade as a landscape plant.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Peace lilies earned their name from their elegant white spathes resembling a white flag of peace, not from any calming properties.
- 🌱 NASA's Clean Air Study identified peace lilies as one of the most effective plants for removing airborne toxins, making them popular in office buildings.
- 🌱 Peace lilies can survive in near-total darkness longer than most houseplants, though they bloom best with bright indirect light.
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