Peace Lily / White Sails

Spathiphyllum wallisii

description

Peace Lily is a shade-tolerant tropical plant with glossy leaves and elegant white spathes.

benefits

Flowering
Suitable for containers

warnings

Toxic to cats
Toxic to dogs

How to care for Peace Lily

sunlight

Peace lilies grow on the shaded floor of tropical forests, so they prefer filtered light rather than sun on their leaves. Place yours near a bright window with a sheer curtain, or a little back from the glass.

Low light (tolerated)

Green-leaved plants can cope with a dim room, but growth will slow and flowering may be sparse. Keep it within reach of daylight rather than in a windowless corner.

Bright indirect light (ideal)

This gives the fullest growth and best chance of blooms. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which can scorch or fade the leaves.

If it leans toward the window, rotate the pot every week or two for more even growth.

watering

Keep the soil lightly and evenly moist, but never waterlog it. Water thoroughly until excess runs from the drainage holes, then empty the saucer.

Spring — Summer

In bright indirect light, this is often about every 5–7 days. Check first: water when the top 1–2 cm of soil feels dry and the pot is noticeably lighter; the soil below should still feel slightly moist.

Autumn — Winter

With lower light and slower growth, watering may drop to roughly every 10–14 days. Let the surface dry a little farther before watering, but do not leave the root ball dry for long.

A Peace Lily may droop when thirsty, but use dry soil and pot weight as your cue rather than waiting for dramatic wilting.

Warm rooms, brighter light, small terracotta pots, and a chunky mix dry faster; cool, dim conditions, large pots, and dense soil stay wet longer.

Constantly soggy soil can cause root rot. Yellowing leaves with wet soil mean it is time to pause watering and check drainage.

humidity

Peace lilies grow on the humid forest floor of the tropics. They cope with average indoor air, but look their best with a little extra moisture around them.

Comfortable household range

40–60%

Aim for about 50–60% relative humidity if possible. They usually tolerate around 40%, but prolonged dry air can cause brown, crisp leaf tips and edges, especially near heaters or air-conditioning.

Keep it away from hot radiators and cold drafts; both dry the leaves quickly.

Preferred humidity

> 50%

In heated winter rooms, group plants together or use a humidifier nearby. A pebble tray can add a little local moisture, but should not leave the pot sitting in water.

Use a humidifier if humidity stays below about 40%.
Group leafy plants to create a slightly more humid pocket of air.
Check leaf tips regularly; new browning suggests the air is too dry or watering is inconsistent.

temperature

Preferred temperature

18–27°C (65–80°F)

Winter minimum

16°C (60°F)

Peace lilies grow beneath the warm tropical canopy, so they prefer steady indoor warmth. Keep them away from conditions below 13°C (55°F), which can cause leaf damage and slow growth.

Place it away from cold windows, exterior doors, and heating or air-conditioning vents; sudden swings are harder on it than a slightly cooler room.

Cold drafts can blacken or yellow leaves, especially when the potting mix is wet.

nutrition

Spring to Early Autumn

Feed about once a month while your peace lily is making new leaves or flowers. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half the label strength, and apply it to already-moist soil.

A weak feed is safer than a strong one: pale new growth may need nutrition, while brown leaf tips or a white crust on the soil can mean excess salts.

Balanced nutrition

A general balanced fertilizer supports leafy growth and flowering without pushing soft, overfed growth. Flush the pot with plain water occasionally if you use tap water or fertilize regularly.

Winter rest

Stop feeding in low light or when growth slows, usually from late autumn through winter. Resume only when the plant begins growing again.

soil

Moisture-retentive, airy soil

Peace lilies grow in humus-rich tropical forest floors, so they prefer a mix that holds some moisture but still lets air reach the roots. Use a quality houseplant or peat-free potting mix loosened with perlite, pumice, or fine orchid bark.

Slightly acidic to neutral

A pH of about 5.8–6.5 is ideal. Most fresh houseplant mixes fall in this range; avoid strongly alkaline soil, which can limit nutrient uptake.

After watering, excess water should drain within a few minutes - if the mix stays soggy for days, add more perlite or bark and use a pot with drainage holes.