Plant care guide

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii · also called white sail plant, spathe flower

The peace lily is a forgiving low-light bloomer with glossy leaves and white flowers. It droops dramatically when thirsty, then perks up after watering.

LightLow to medium indirect
WaterEvery 7-10 days
DifficultyEasy
Pet safeNo
Mature size1-3 ft indoors
GrowthModerate

Spathiphyllum wallisii is a popular flowering houseplant known for its lush dark-green foliage and elegant white blooms, which are actually modified leaves called spathes surrounding a creamy spike of tiny true flowers. Native to the shaded floor of tropical rainforests, it is adapted to low light and consistent moisture, making it well suited to indoor life.

The peace lily is famously communicative: when it needs water it droops dramatically, then recovers within hours once watered, which makes it forgiving for beginners learning to read a plant. It is also valued for tolerating low light and for its reputation as an air-cleaning plant. With reasonable care it blooms on and off through much of the year.

How to care for Peace Lily

Light

Peace lilies thrive in low to medium indirect light and are one of the best flowering plants for dim rooms. They tolerate deep shade but bloom more in bright, indirect light. Keep them out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves and causes brown patches.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently lightly moist, watering about every 7 to 10 days when the top inch dries. The plant will wilt dramatically when thirsty and bounce back quickly once watered, but repeated severe wilting weakens it. Use filtered or distilled water if tap water causes brown leaf tips.

Humidity

Peace lilies prefer humidity above 50 percent and appreciate a humidifier or a pebble tray, especially in dry winter air. Brown leaf tips often signal humidity that is too low. Grouping plants together raises local moisture.

Temperature

Keep them between 65 and 80F. They are sensitive to cold and should not drop below 55F or sit near drafty windows and vents. Sudden chills cause leaf damage and stalled blooming.

Soil & potting mix

Use a rich, well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture, such as a peat-based houseplant blend with perlite. Good drainage prevents root rot while the organic matter holds the steady moisture peace lilies like. A pot with drainage holes is essential.

Feeding

Feed every 6 to 8 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Over-fertilizing causes brown leaf tips and can suppress flowering. Reduce or stop feeding in fall and winter.

Pruning & grooming

Cut spent flower stalks down to the base once blooms fade and brown. Remove yellow or damaged leaves at the soil line with clean shears. Regular tidying keeps the plant looking full and encourages new growth.

Repotting

Repot every 1 to 2 years in spring when roots fill the pot or the plant wilts very quickly after watering. Move up one pot size. Crowded clumps can be divided to make new plants.

Propagation

Propagate by division: at repotting, separate the clump into sections that each have several leaves and a portion of roots. Replant each division in fresh mix. Peace lilies do not propagate from leaf or stem cuttings.

Common Peace Lily problems

  • Brown leaf tips. Crispy brown tips usually come from low humidity, inconsistent watering, or sensitivity to chemicals in tap water. Switch to filtered water, keep the soil evenly moist, and raise humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier.
  • Drooping leaves. Dramatic wilting is the peace lily's classic thirst signal and resolves within hours of watering. If the soil is already wet and the plant still droops, suspect root rot from overwatering instead.
  • No flowers. A peace lily that won't bloom usually needs more light. Move it to a brighter indirect spot and feed lightly during the growing season to encourage the white spathes to form.
Toxicity: Toxic to cats and dogs. The leaves contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense mouth and throat irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed.

Diagnose a problem

Why Do My Plant's Leaves Have Brown Tips?Brown leaf tips usually mean low humidity, inconsistent watering, or a buildup of salts from tap water and fertilizer. They're cosmetic but a useful early warning to adjust the plant's care.Why Are My Plant's Leaves Drooping?Drooping leaves usually point to a watering issue: either too dry or too wet. Check the soil first, since over and underwatering cause the same sad, sagging look from opposite causes.Why Won't My Plant Bloom?A healthy-looking plant that refuses to bloom is almost always short on light, stuck on the wrong feeding, or missing a seasonal trigger like cool nights or a dry rest. Fixing the cue usually brings the flowers back.

Similar plants

AnthuriumChinese EvergreenCalathea Orbifolia

Peace Lily FAQ

Why is my peace lily drooping?

Drooping is the peace lily's built-in thirst alarm, and the leaves usually recover within a few hours after a thorough watering. If the soil is already moist and the plant is still wilting, the cause is likely root rot from overwatering, so check the roots and let the soil dry out.

Why won't my peace lily bloom?

The most common reason is too little light. While peace lilies survive in low light, they need bright, indirect light to produce their white spathes. Moving the plant to a brighter spot and feeding it lightly during spring and summer usually encourages flowering.

Why does my peace lily have brown leaf tips?

Brown tips are most often caused by low humidity, inconsistent watering, or a buildup of chemicals like chlorine and fluoride from tap water. Try watering with filtered or distilled water, keep the soil evenly moist, and raise the humidity around the plant.