Peace lilies have long been popular houseplants due to their gorgeous green leaves and white flowers. But they’re not only a joy to look at—their easy-to-care-for form means they easily fit into a variety of homes. Put them in a shady corner, water them about once a week, and watch them fill the space with lushness!
Since these plants are so easy to care for, they are also popular housewarming gifts. Peace lilies are also said to promote prosperity and good luck—two things anyone would be happy to have in their new home. But only healthy plants bring good fortune! So take a minute to learn how to care for a peace lily.
Peace Lily Basics
When someone mentions they’re growing a peace lily at home, they could be growing many different plant species. However, all of these plants belong to the Spathiphyllum genus. These plants aren’t true lilies but rather more closely related to anthuriums and elephant ear plants.
Most peace lily species are native to tropical regions in Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia. Although their exact native range varies, all of these plants prefer warm, humid conditions.
All types of peace lilies have large green leaves with long petioles (that’s plant speak for leaf stems). As long as you provide the proper peace lily care, the plants also produce white flowers that resemble waving white flags. Many people think the entire white structure is a flower, but the true flowers occur on the spike-like spadix. The white “flag” surrounding the spadix is actually a modified leaf known as a spathe.
These plants are relatively easy to grow as houseplants as long as you know the tips and tricks of caring for peace lilies. You can also grow them outdoors if you live in zone 10 or 11.
How to Grow Peace Lilies Indoors
Since peace lilies require warm temperatures, they’re popular houseplants in much of the United States. If you want to add one of the plants to your home, check out these peace lily care tips.
Choose the Proper Pot and Soil Mix
If you’re growing a peace lily in a container, spend some time picking out the proper home for your new plant. These plants like containers that are just a bit larger than their rootballs. Small containers can cause the plants to become rootbound, while large containers can lead to perpetually wet soil and problems with root rot. Along with choosing an appropriately sized container, ensure the pot has drainage holes that allow water to escape.
When it comes time to fill your pot, choose a well-draining potting mix.
Provide the Right Amount of Water
When you think about watering peace lilies, keep the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears in mind. These plants like soil that’s not too wet, not too dry, but justtttt right.
The amount you’ll need to water will depend on a few factors, including temperature, light, humidity, and soil type. In general, you’ll likely need to water your peace lily every week or two. However, until you get a good feel for the ideal watering schedule, it’s a good idea to check your plant’s soil every few days.
One way to do this is by sticking your finger into the top two inches of soil. If you detect moisture, you can wait to water. However, if the soil feels dry, water now. If you have a smaller peace lily, you can also use the weight of the plant as an indicator of when you need to water. Lift up your plant’s pot right after you water it to get a sense of the weight when the soil is moist. When your planter feels noticeably lighter, it’s time to water.
Peace lilies aren’t super sensitive to the type of water you use, but they can struggle with high levels of chlorine or super hard water. If your tap water falls into either of those categories, consider using rainwater or filtered water.
Keep the Air Warm and Moist
Providing the right temperature and humidity is a key part of caring for peace lilies. These plants like temperatures, between 60ºF and 85ºF, with warmer temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures at night. Extended temperatures below 60ºF can cause stunted growth and a lack of vigor, and short periods of temperatures below 45ºF can cause immediate damage.
You’ll also want to ensure that your peace lily isn’t exposed to sudden changes in temperature. That means keeping the plant away from both hot and cold drafts often found near exterior doors and heating/cooling vents.
Since these plants are from tropical regions, they prefer moderate to high humidity. If the air in your home is dry enough to make your lips crap and skin dry, you’ll likely need to boost the humidity around your peace lily. A humidifier is the best way to do this, but you can also mist the air around your plant.
Provide Bright, Indirect Light
Peace lilies naturally grow on the forest floor, where they receive dappled light. Therefore, they like bright but indirect light.
Keep them away from direct rays and avoid placing them in a dark corner of your house. The interior of a bright room or next to a window covered with a sheer curtain are two suitable locations.
Varieties of Peace Lilies
The Spathiphyllum genus consists of 47 different species, and there are multiple varieties within each species. The different types can vary in size, bloom time, and leaf shape, so spending some time investigating the various peace lilies can help you find one that’s perfect for you or a friend. No matter which variety you choose, remember to provide your plants with the best peace lily care possible!
Piccolino Peace Lily
This dwarf variety can fit on top of plant stands or side tables. It has dark green leaves and bright white ‘flowers’ common with many types of peace lilies.
Sensation Peace Lily
If you’re looking for a big peace lily to fill an empty corner or act as a statement piece, the ‘Sensation’ variety is a good choice. It’s one of the largest types of peace lilies and can easily grow four feet tall indoors.
Domino Peace Lily
While many peace lilies have solid green leaves, the ‘Domino’ variety sports dark green leaves covered in fine white steaks and specks. It also produces lots of white flowers.
White Stripes Peace Lily
This small variety sports a little bit of a rock and roll attitude with medium green leaves featuring white stripes running up their middles. They can produce flowers but don’t bloom as easily as other types.
Brighten Your Home with Houseplants
Now that you know how to care for a peace lily, you can confidently add one of these houseplants to your home! Remember to plant them in well-draining soil, provide bright yet indirect light, and keep the air warm and moist.
If you’re interested in adding some more houseplants to your collection (or are searching for a unique gift for a friend), check out our selection of plants for delivery. We have everything from cute little succulents perfect for desktops to large fiddle-leaf figs ready to brighten up empty corners. No matter which plant you purchase, remember to learn about best care practices! We’ve created guides on everything from dracaena plant care to tips for caring for rubber plants.
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