How to take care of a peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

One of the most loved low-maintenance indoor plants is the peace lily. Known to be easygoing and forgiving, peace lilies instantly bring life to any home. Peace lilies are tropical plants that bloom on forest floors; therefore, they are used to receiving mere patches of sunlight and regular moisture. With sufficient light, peace lilies produce beautiful white or off-white flowers that could possibly bloom throughout the year under the proper conditions. Usually, the peace lily does not produce flowers until it is fully matured.

Did you know that peace lilies are not really lilies from the plant family Liliaceae? Peace lilies are a member of the Araceae family, a family of monocotyledonous plants with flowers that are borne on an inflorescence. Peace lilies are also known for their abilities to purify indoor air by neutralising toxic gasses such as formaldehyde, acetone and benzene. 

If you are considering purchasing a peace lily, you need not worry about its maintenance. Ideal for home or office growing, they’re easy to take care of. Simply follow this quick guide.

 

Light, temperature and humidity

Peace lilies can survive in partially shaded areas of your home. Choose a spot where they will get natural, ambient light.  Like most indoor plants, they can tolerate fluorescent lighting. However, peace lilies are not tolerant of indirect sunlight as this may burn their lovely leaves. To add humidity, spritz your plant several times or add a humidifier inside your room.

An ideal temperature for peace lilies would be from 18-30 degrees Celsius or 65-86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why you see a lot of peace lilies thriving inside homes in Australia. Furthermore, you need to protect your peace lily from cold drafts or sudden drops in temperature. Avoid placing it near doors or windows that let in the cold winter air.

 

Water

In its native environment, the peace lily is used to constant moisture. To replicate this, water the peace lily sufficiently once a week and let the topsoil dry out a little afterwards. Remember that peace lilies are susceptible to root rot, so make sure that it has room to dry out between waterings. Avoid watering the crown of the peace lily, and instead water the outside edges of its pot to prevent having water lodged between its stems.

The good thing about a peace lily is that its leaves will tell you if it is thirsty by drooping slightly. During the summer, spritz the leaves to keep your plant hydrated. 

 

Fertilisers and repotting

Use an organic fertiliser to help your peace lily thrive. Avoid chemical fertilisers as peace lilies are extremely sensitive to chemicals. For optimum growth, add organic fertilisers to the topsoil every couple of months during the spring and summer seasons. Let your peace lily rest in the colder months and avoid adding fertilisers during autumn and winter.

Repot every three years or when the roots start to show. When repotting, choose a pot that is two inches wider than its current pot size. It is recommended that you opt for well-draining soil. 

 

Toxicity and common issues

Unfortunately, peace lilies are mildly toxic to humans and animals, so you might want to reconsider where you place this plant if you have small children or pets. If eaten, the peace lily will cause oral sensitivity, vomiting or trouble swallowing, so be very careful where you place it. After handling your peace lily, remember to wash your hands as its sap can irritate the skin. It would be better to handle the plant wearing gloves.

Although peace lilies are low maintenance, they are susceptible to a few issues, one of which is the yellowing of its leaves. There are instances when the peace lily’s leaves turn yellow. This is normal as older leaves will normally turn yellow. Simply clip the yellow leaves off to the base of the stem to stimulate growth. Another potential reason could be inconsistent watering volume or frequency. To address this, allow the soil to dry out a little and slightly reduce the frequency of watering.

Brown edges are signs that your plant is receiving harsh, direct sunlight. This could also be indicative of too much fertiliser. To help the peace lily recover, move it away from the sunbeams and raise the humidity around the plant. Finally, if your peace lily is not producing its gorgeous white blooms, try moving it to a brighter area in your home. However, remember to keep your peace lily away from direct sunlight!

 

 

Spring Colours is a plant nursery located in Sydney’s Dural neighbourhood. With over 30 years of experience in garden landscaping and delivering high-quality plants to plant lovers at great prices, we are committed to making the world a greener place and adding new life to your home and garden.

Contact us to find out about our wholesale service delivery or visit our store in Dural to browse our collection of plants!