How to Care for a Peace Lily

The peace lily is grown for its bold, shiny green foliage in stemless crowns. Although the leaves are the main attraction, they are complemented by white flower stalks. Unlike many houseplants, peace lilies do not require a winter rest and need consistent care throughout the year.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Keep away from direct sunlight. Direct sun burns the leaves of the peace lily. Filtering the sun with a transparent curtain is acceptable, but the peace lily will grow best in the medium to low light of a north or west window.

2. Watch for browning leaves. Leaves will brown if the peace lily is not getting enough humidity. Humidify the plant by misting the leaves with soft water and keeping the plant on a tray of pebbles. Misting also washes away red spider mites, which commonly infest peace lilies.

3. Let the plant dry in between waterings. The plant will wilt if it needs water. When this happens, water as soon as possible and the plant will not be harmed. Note how long after a watering the leaves wilt, and water one day before wilting starts.

4. Repot the peace lily every spring into the next size pot until the plant is in an 8- to 10-inch pot. The roots of a lily will fill their pot in 1 year, but do not usually require a pot larger than 10 inches.

5. Look for tiny spider webs on the plant, which is a sign of red spider mites. Remove the leaves they are growing on and treat the plant with pesticide or a solution of mildly soapy water.

6. Use caution with chemical fertilizer. Peace lilies will benefit from a fertilizer mix of 20-20-20, but too much, especially when applied to dry soil, will damage the roots. Fertilize the peace lily only in the spring and summer with a half or three-quarter dose. Also, always fertilize when the soil is moist.

Tips & Warnings

• Give a peace lily in bloom as a sympathy gift; the white flower symbolizes sympathy.

• Use organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer on a peace lily. Organic fertilizer is less damaging to the roots.