Peace lilies, or Spathiphyllum, are one of my favorite indoor plants. With their glossy green leaves and elegant white blooms, they instantly make any room feel calm and lively.
What I love most? They’re surprisingly easy to care for, even if you’re still learning the ropes like me. These plants aren’t just pretty; they clean the air too.
And the best part? They don’t need much work to stay happy.
In this guide, I’ll share what I’ve learned from my own experience. You’ll get tips on watering, lighting, soil, and fixing common problems.
Stick around, and learn how to keep your peace lily healthy, happy, and thriving all year long!
Watering & Humidity
How Much Water Does a Peace Lily Need?
When my Spathiphyllum first arrived, figuring out water needs was tricky. It likes soil a bit moist but not soggy.
A good drink once a week works, but I’ve noticed it depends on the time of year. In spring and summer, I water it more often like every 5-6 days. In fall and winter, it slows down, so I wait about 10 days between waterings.
Here’s my trick: stick a finger in the soil an inch deep. If it’s dry, it’s watering time! Check the soil, easiest way to nail it.
Overwatering’s a rookie mistake; my Spathiphyllum leaves turned yellow after too much water. Now, pots with drainage holes are a must to avoid soggy messes.
Overwatering vs. Underwatering Symptoms
Sometimes my peace lily gives me clues when I mess up with watering. If I overwater it, the leaves turn yellow and feel kind of mushy, and the roots can even start to rot.
But if I underwater it, the leaves droop like they’re super tired, and the soil gets all dry and crusty. I’ve gotten better at spotting these signs now.
To fix peace lily overwatering, let the soil dry out and keep the pot out of puddles. For underwatering, give it a slow drink until the soil’s moist. It perks up in a day or two!
Best Humidity Levels for Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies love humid air, kind of like what you’d feel in a rainforest. I keep humidity at 50-60%, way higher than my home’s usual 30-40%. That’s where peace lilies are happiest!
In my house, it can get pretty dry, especially in winter when the heater’s on. So, I help my peace lily out by putting a tray of water with pebbles under its pot. The water evaporates and makes the air around it nice and moist. Sometimes I mist the leaves with a spray bottle, too—it’s like giving it a mini spa day!
Using Distilled Water for Peace Lilies
One weird thing I noticed was brown tips on my peace lily’s leaves. I found out it was because of the tap water I was using. Tap water has stuff like chlorine and fluoride that peace lilies don’t like.
Now, I use distilled water, and the brown tips are gone!
If I don’t have distilled water, I’ll fill a jug with tap water and let it sit out overnight. That lets the chemicals float away before I use it. Filtered water works great, too, if you’ve got a filter at home.
Pro tip: No distilled water? A pitcher of tap water left out overnight works just as well!
Light & Placement
Best Location for a Peace Lily Indoors
Finding the perfect spot for my Spathiphyllum was a little adventure. I’ve learned they love indirect sunlight near an east-facing window—the morning sun is gentle and perfect!
My plant sits on a table a few feet from the window, and it’s doing awesome there. I make sure to keep it away from cold drafts—like near the front door—or hot spots, like right next to the heater. Those can stress it out and make the leaves unhappy.
Can Peace Lilies Survive in Low Light?
Peace lilies can survive low light. I’ve got a corner in my living room that doesn’t get much sun, and my peace lily still grows there. It doesn’t grow as fast as it does near the window, and it might not bloom as much, but it still looks healthy. In brighter light, it gets bigger leaves and sometimes those white flowers pop up, which is so exciting to see.
Effects of Too Much Direct Sunlight
One time, I accidentally left my Spathiphyllum in direct sunlight all day, and it was not happy. The leaves got brown and crispy, like they’d been sunburned. Too much strong light is tough on them because they’re used to shady spots in nature. Now, if I put it near a sunny window, I use a sheer curtain to soften the light. It’s like sunscreen for my plant!
Grow Lights for Peace Lilies
When winter comes and the days get short, I sometimes use a grow light to give my peace lily extra brightness.
Here’s my setup:
- Use a full-spectrum LED.
- Turn it on for 10 hours a day.
It’s simple and keeps my plant happy!
More in: Peace Lily Light Requirements
Soil & Fertilization
Best Potting Mix for Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
When I got my peace lily, I didn’t know much about soil, but I’ve learned it’s a big deal! Peace lilies like a potting mix that’s light and fluffy, so water can drain out easily. I use a mix with peat moss, perlite, and potting soil—it’s like a comfy bed for the roots.
The peat keeps it moist but not too wet, and the perlite makes sure extra water doesn’t stick around and cause trouble. If the soil feels heavy or clumpy, I add some extra perlite to loosen it up.
Good drainage is key because my peace lily hates sitting in soggy soil! Why? Poor drainage causes root rot, a Spathiphyllum killer I’ll explain later!
Organic vs. Synthetic Fertilizers
Feeding my peace lily is like giving it a snack to help it grow strong. I’ve tried both organic and synthetic fertilizers, and they both work, but they’re a little different. Organic ones, like compost tea or fish emulsion, are natural and gentle. They make me feel good because they’re kind to the planet.
Synthetic fertilizers, like the liquid plant food you buy at the store, are faster and give my plant a quick boost. I usually go with a balanced one, like 10-10-10, which has equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are the nutrients plants love.
How Often to Fertilize a Peace Lily
I don’t feed my peace lily all the time, just when it’s growing the most. In spring and summer, I fertilize every 6 weeks with a diluted mix.
In spring, give your Spathiphyllum a light fertilizer boost now for bigger blooms by summer. I mix it with water and pour it in gently, following the directions on the bottle. In fall and winter, I skip it because my plant takes a little rest then.
Check it out: How to Fertilize Peace Lily: Step by Step Guide for Beginner
Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
Sometimes my peace lily tells me it’s hungry. If leaves turn yellow, it might need nitrogen—that’s what keeps them green!
If it’s growing super slow or looks tiny, it could be low on phosphorus or potassium. When that happens, I give it a light dose of fertilizer and watch it bounce back. It’s like magic seeing those leaves perk up again!
Temperature & Environment
Ideal Temperature Range for Peace Lilies
My peace lily likes it cozy, just like me! The best temperature for it is 65-80°F (that’s 18-27°C if you’re fancy). It’s happy sitting in my living room where it’s warm but not too hot. Big temperature swings—like going from super cold to super warm—can stress it out, so I try to keep things steady.
How Peace Lilies React to Cold Drafts
One winter, I put my peace lily near a window that wasn’t sealed tight, and the cold air made its leaves droop and turn dark. Cold drafts are bad news for peace lilies because they’re used to warm, tropical places.
Now, I move it away from windows in the winter or put a towel under the door to block chilly air. It’s like tucking it in with a blanket!
Can Peace Lilies Grow Outdoors?
I’ve wondered if my peace lily could live outside, and the answer is yes. But only in the right spot! Peace lily can grow outdoors in warm places, like climate zones 10 or 11, where it never gets too cold.
If I lived somewhere like Florida, I’d put my peace lily in a shady spot under a tree where it’s warm and humid. But since I’m inside most of the time, I keep mine happy on my shelf.
Not sure about your area? Check your zone at USDA.gov to see if it’s warm enough!
Propagation
How to Propagate a Peace Lily
Propagating my peace lily was so cool—it’s like making a baby plant! Peace lilies don’t grow from seeds easily, so I split the plant instead. It’s called division, and it’s pretty simple. The best time to propagate peace lily is spring when it’s growing.
Here’s how I do it:
- Lift the plant out of the pot.
- Split the roots into 2-3 clumps.
- Replant each in fresh soil.
It’s like getting a whole new plant for free! Easy!
When is the Best Time to Propagate?
I usually propagate my peace lily in spring, right when the plant is waking up from its winter nap. The new growth in spring makes it easier for the plant to recover from the split. I try to do it early so the new plants have time to grow big before fall.
Caring for New Peace Lily Plants
After I propagate my peace lily, I keep the new plant in a warm, humid place. I water it regularly and make sure it gets just the right amount of light. Not too much, but enough to encourage growth. Over time, I see new leaves popping up, and I know I’ve done a good job!
New leaves pop up in 4-6 weeks if I keep it cozy!
Repotting
When and How to Repot a Peace Lily
My Spathiphyllum grows fast, and sometimes it needs a bigger home. I know it’s time to repot when roots poke out of the drainage holes or the soil looks old and tired. I usually do it every 1-2 years.
Why? Crowded roots slow growth—repot before it’s too late!
To repot, I take it out of the old pot, shake off loose dirt, and put it in a new one with fresh potting mix. I water it afterward and let it rest in a shady spot for a few days to recover.
Choosing the Right Pot Size
Picking the right pot is important! I go for one that’s just 1-2 inches bigger than the old one—too big, and the soil stays wet too long. I like pots with holes in the bottom, and I’ve used both plastic and clay ones. Clay dries out faster, which is good if I tend to overwater. It’s all about keeping my peace lily comfy!
Common Problems
Why Are Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) Leaves Turning Yellow?
One common issue I’ve faced is yellow leaves or even curling ones. Yellow and soggy means I overwatered; yellow and crispy means I underwatered. Curling alone? The air’s too dry, so I mist it.
Brown Tips on Peace Lily Leaves
Brown tips are another thing I’ve seen on my Spathiphyllum, and they bugged me because they ruin the pretty green look. I learned it’s usually from stuff in tap water, like chlorine, or really dry air in my house. Over-fertilizing can do it too—if I give it too much plant food, the tips burn.
To fix it, I use distilled water and mist the leaves for extra humidity—brown tips vanish fast! If I overdid the fertilizer, I flush the soil with water to wash out the extra stuff. Slowly, the new leaves grow in nice and green again.
Drooping Peace Lily Leaves: Causes and Fixes
Peace lilies love to droop when thirsty—it’s like they’re begging for water! The leaves hang sad, but a good watering perks them up in hours. That’s normal and pretty cool to watch. If they stay droopy after water, something’s off—maybe roots rotting from too much moisture.
To revive a wilted peace lily, check the soil with a finger. Dry and crumbly? Soak it slowly until moist again. Wet and soggy? Repot it fresh in new, well-draining soil.
Peace Lily Pests and How to Treat Them
Sometimes tiny bugs show up on my peace lily, and I hate it! The usual suspects are spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Spider mites leave little webs and make the leaves look speckled.
Mealybugs look like white cotton dots, and aphids are tiny green guys that suck the plant’s juice. I fight them naturally first—I wipe with soapy water (just a drop of dish soap in a cup of water). If that doesn’t work, I use a plant-safe bug spray from the store. Keeping my plant clean and happy stops those pests from coming back.
Peace Lily Root Rot
Root rot is a scary word for peace lilies. I’ve learned that it happens when the roots sit in water too long. To fix it, I carefully take the plant out of the pot and check the roots. If they’re mushy or black, I cut them off and repot the plant in fresh soil. I make sure to use a pot with good drainage next time!
Quick fix: Smell the soil—if it’s funky, act fast with new soil and drainage!
For step by step, check out: How to Save a Peace Lily from Root Rot: A Step-by-Step Guide
Peace Lily Flowering Problems
Sometimes my peace lily doesn’t bloom, and it’s a little disappointing. But I’ve found that peace lilies need the right amount of light and a bit of fertilizer to bloom. If they’re too shaded, they might just grow leaves and not flowers.
Too much nitrogen from fertilizer can make it grow tons of leaves but no blooms. Also, if it’s a young plant, it might need time to grow up before flowering. To help peace lily bloom, I give it bright, indirect light and use a 5-10-5 fertilizer—more phosphorus, less nitrogen!
Blooms can take a few months—be patient!
Conclusion
Caring for a peace lily (Spathiphyllum) has been such a fun adventure—hope you’re excited to try it too! Recap time: water it when the soil feels dry, place it in soft light, and use a fluffy, draining soil mix. Feed it a little in spring and summer, keep it warm (65-80°F is perfect), and watch out for yellow leaves or brown tips.
Want more plants? Split it in spring or repot when crowded. Pests or no blooms pop up occasionally, but fixes are ready.
If you’re new to peace lilies, don’t worry—you’ve got this! They forgive mistakes as long as you pay attention. I love how mine makes my room feel peaceful and alive, and I bet yours will too.
These indoor plant care tricks work for me every time—try them out!
Have a peace lily question? Drop it below—I’ll help!
