Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum - Elegant Blooms in Low Light
One of the few houseplants that blooms reliably in low light, the Peace Lily combines elegant white flowers with glossy green foliage. It's also incredibly communicative—drooping dramatically when thirsty and perking back up within hours of watering.
Easy
Low to Medium
Blooming
Excellent
About Peace Lilies
Native to tropical rainforests of Central and South America, Peace Lilies thrive in the same low-light conditions as Calatheas and Pothos. What sets them apart is their ability to bloom with elegant white spathes even in shaded corners.
Despite their name, Peace Lilies aren't true lilies (Lilium). They belong to the Araceae family, making them relatives of Philodendrons and Monsteras. The white "flower" is actually a modified leaf (spathe) surrounding a spike of tiny true flowers.
NASA's Clean Air Study ranked Peace Lilies among the top air-purifying houseplants, effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from indoor air.
Getting Your Peace Lily to Bloom
While Peace Lilies can survive in very low light, they need brighter conditions to produce flowers. Here's how to encourage blooming:
Provide More Light
Move to bright indirect light. North-facing windows or a few feet from brighter windows works well.
Consistent Care
Regular watering and feeding during spring/summer encourages blooming. See our Fertilizing Guide.
Age Matters
Young plants focus on leaf growth. Most Peace Lilies bloom after reaching maturity (about 1 year old).
Watering Guide
Peace Lilies are drama queens—they'll droop dramatically when thirsty, then perk up within hours of watering. Use this to your advantage!
These plants prefer consistently moist soil but can handle drying out occasionally. They're more forgiving than Calatheas but less drought-tolerant than Snake Plants.
When to Water
- • When top inch of soil is dry
- • Or when leaves start to droop
- • Usually weekly in summer
- • Every 10-14 days in winter
Water Quality
- • Sensitive to fluoride and chlorine
- • Use filtered water if possible
- • Or let tap water sit 24 hours
- • Brown tips often = water quality
Learn more in our Complete Watering Guide.
Humidity & Environment
Peace Lilies appreciate higher humidity but are more adaptable than Calatheas. They can tolerate average household humidity but will look better with some extra moisture.
Boost humidity by grouping with other tropical plants or placing near a humidifier. See our Humidity Guide.
Common Problems
Brown Leaf Tips
Cause: Usually water quality issues (fluoride, chlorine) or low humidity.
Solution: Switch to filtered water, increase humidity. Trim brown tips with clean scissors at an angle.
No Flowers
Cause: Insufficient light or plant is too young.
Solution: Move to brighter location. Fertilize monthly in spring/summer. Be patient—blooms come with maturity.
Yellow Leaves
Cause: Overwatering, underwatering, or natural aging of old leaves.
Solution: Check soil moisture. Yellow older leaves at the base are normal—remove them. Check our Watering Guide.
Drooping After Watering
Cause: Root rot from overwatering if soil stays soggy.
Solution: Check roots—healthy roots are white, rotted roots are brown/mushy. Repot in fresh soil if needed. Ensure pot has drainage.