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Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

FloweringEasyModeratetoxic to pets
Good to know: The white "flower" is a modified leaf (spathe). One of the few shade-tolerant bloomers.

Through the year 🗓️

☀️ Summer now

Its thirstiest season. Expect the dramatic wilt if you run late.

🍂 Fall

Fewer blooms as light fades; ease off the feeding.

❄️ Winter

Water less (never bone-dry) and keep it clear of drafts below 60 °F.

🌱 Spring

Divide crowded crowns; blooms return as the days brighten.

The details

Light & placement

Light
Medium–bright indirect; blooms need brightness, foliage tolerates shade
Ideal PPFD
100–250 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹
Grow-light distance
20–28 in below LED

Water & feed

Watering method
Keep lightly moist; water when the top inch dries. It dramatically wilts when thirsty and springs back within hours of watering.
Fertilizer
Balanced feed at ¼–½ strength, every 6 wks in spring–summer.

Home & habit

Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive but draining mix; pH 5.8–6.5
Humidity
High preferred (50%+); brown tips in dry air
Temperature
65–80 °F
Mature size
1–3 ft
Repotting
Every 1–2 yrs when roots crowd
Propagation
Division of crowns when repotting.

When something looks wrong

Overwatering signs
Yellow leaves, black root tips, persistent wilt even when wet
Underwatering signs
Full dramatic collapse; recovers fast after a drink
Common pests
Mealybugs, spider mites, aphids
Care notes: Its famous faint is a reliable "water me" signal, but don't make a habit of it, because repeated wilting stresses the plant. Flowers fade to green with age; snip spent stalks at the base.

Common problems 🩺

The usual suspects when Peace Lily looks unhappy. Most houseplant trouble is watering or light, not disease — see all plant problems if you are not sure which plant is the culprit.

Dramatic full-plant droop

Likely cause
Thirsty. Peace lilies wilt theatrically, then recover fast once watered.

What to do
Water thoroughly. It should perk up within hours. If it droops while wet, check for rot.

Brown leaf tips

Likely cause
Tap-water minerals, low humidity, or overfeeding.

What to do
Switch to filtered water, raise humidity, and ease off fertilizer.

No flowers

Likely cause
Too little light — deep shade keeps it alive but bloomless.

What to do
Move it to brighter indirect light; blooms follow within a season or two.

Yellowing lower leaves

Likely cause
Natural aging, or overwatering if widespread.

What to do
Trim the odd old leaf. If many yellow at once, let the soil dry more between waterings.

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