Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

How much light does a Peace Lily need?

Peace lilies tolerate low light, but they grow best in bright indirect light. The plant also flowers best in indirect sunlight. Outdoors, it prefers full shade and also accepts part shade. Full shade means less than two hours of direct sunlight, and part shade means two to six hours. Keep it out of direct sun.

• Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light^1,2,3

How often to water a Peace Lily

Water needs fall in the medium range, and the soil should stay moist but not soggy. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Medium is both the lowest and the highest water level listed. Soil drainage is listed as well drained and moist. No watering schedule in days is documented for this plant.

• Water: Medium^1,4,2,5

Best soil for a Peace Lily

The soil drainage listed for this species is well drained and moist. Peace lilies will flourish in almost any well-drained potting mix. Good drainage is listed as a need for this species. A mix that stays moist but not soggy, then dries slightly between waterings, fits both the water and drainage facts. Water needs are medium, and the soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Let the mix dry slightly between waterings. No cited source records a soil pH range, so that value is not documented.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist^{5,1,5,1,1,3,3,5}

Temperature and humidity

Try to keep the plant above 60 °F (16 °C), because cold damage may occur below that point. Common indoor plants such as peace lilies enjoy high humidity. The species also thrives in humid, tropical rainforest understories. The humidity level is listed simply as high. For outdoor growing, the documented hardiness zones run from 11a to 12b. No cited source gives a maximum temperature. No cited source gives a humidity percentage either.

• Minimum temperature: 60.8 °F (16 °C)¹
• Humidity: High^6,7

Fertilizing a Peace Lily

Fertilize your peace lily once a month during the growing season, March through August. A 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer solution with a nitrogen level of 50 ppm is the mix documented. That works out to one feeding a month across six months. Fertilizer amounts beyond that nitrogen level are not documented.

• Fertilizer: Monthly in the growing season (Mar–Aug)⁷

How to propagate a Peace Lily

Peace lilies are easily propagated by division. Division is the only propagation method on record for this plant. It has an erect, mounding habit. Mature height and spread are each 1 to 3.9 ft (0.3 to 1.2 m). Most peace lilies grow between 1 and 4 feet tall and wide, and a few cultivars reach 6 feet (1.8 m).

• Propagation: Division^2,5,8

Common problems

Mealybugs, purple mite, fungus gnats, spider mites and scales are the pests recorded for peace lilies. Mealybugs are probably the most common insect indoors. Fungus gnats and spider mites are two of the five groups on that list. Scales and purple mite complete the list.

• Common pests: mealybugs, purple mite, fungus gnats, spider mites and scales^5,5,1
• Common diseases: root rot¹

Questions and answers

Is a peace lily toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists the peace lily as toxic to both cats and dogs. The listing reads Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats. Keep the plant away from both animals.

How much light does a peace lily need?

Peace lilies tolerate low light, but they grow best in bright indirect light. They also flower best in indirect sunlight. Outdoors, full shade is preferred, and part shade is also accepted.

How should I water a peace lily?

Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and let it dry slightly between waterings. Water needs are medium. Soil drainage is listed as well drained and moist.