Easy Tropical Toxic to pets

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

The Peace Lily is an elegant white-flowered plant, perfect for dark spaces.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Low light
Humidity

60–70 %
Temperature

16–28 °C

How to care for your Peace Lily

Everything you need to keep your Peace Lily healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Spathiphyllum wallisii, native to the tropical forests of Central America and Colombia, is one of the few plants that flower indoors with little light. Its white spade-shaped flowers are delicate and elegant. It clearly signals its water needs by drooping its leaves, and recovers quickly after a good watering. It is an excellent natural air purifier.

Watering your Peace Lily

Every 7 days

Keep the substrate consistently and lightly moist without waterlogging; never allow the root ball to dry out completely.

How to know it needs water

Leaves beginning to droop (an early and reliable thirst signal)
Surface of substrate dry to the touch

How much light a Peace Lily needs

Low light

Shade to indirect light; one of the few flowering houseplants that thrives in low-light conditions.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 1 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–70 %

High (60–70%) Mist the foliage regularly or stand the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to maintain the high humidity it requires.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Apply monthly from March through to September; withhold in winter.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer · 5-10-5

Repotting your Peace Lily

Every 24 months

Use a rich, humus-rich substrate in a pot one size larger; avoid burying the crown.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from drainage holes
Substrate drying out very rapidly after watering

Pruning your Peace Lily

Deadhead spent spathes and remove yellowing leaves promptly throughout the year. Cut cleanly at the base of the flower stem or petiole with sterilised scissors.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

All parts are toxic to pets and humans if ingested; contains calcium oxalate raphides causing intense oral burning and swelling.

Good to know

Clearly indicates when it needs water by drooping its leaves
One of the best air-purifying plants according to NASA

Frequently asked questions about the Peace Lily

How do you care for a Peace Lily?

Water it every 7 days. Give it low light. Ideal humidity: 60–70 %. Ideal temperature: 16–28 °C. Keep the substrate consistently and lightly moist without waterlogging; never allow the root ball to dry out completely.

How often should you water a Peace Lily?

Every 7 days Keep the substrate consistently and lightly moist without waterlogging; never allow the root ball to dry out completely. How to know it needs water : Leaves beginning to droop (an early and reliable thirst signal) ; Surface of substrate dry to the touch.

How much light does a Peace Lily need?

Low light Shade to indirect light; one of the few flowering houseplants that thrives in low-light conditions. 0 to 1 h a day

Is the Peace Lily toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. All parts are toxic to pets and humans if ingested; contains calcium oxalate raphides causing intense oral burning and swelling. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Peace Lily leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Peace Lily?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Use a rich, humus-rich substrate in a pot one size larger; avoid burying the crown.