How to Transplant a Peace Lily Plant

Peace lilies are one of the few plants to bloom where light levels are low.

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is a tropical plant that grows best in a shady location in well-drained soil where temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Peace lilies decline rapidly in warm temperatures and die if exposed to freezing temperatures. They are commonly grown as a houseplant in the United States. If given the right growing conditions, a peace lily can live many years. The outstanding features of the peace lily are the broad green shiny leaves and the white, seashell- shaped blooms borne atop long stiff stems.

Things You'll Need

• Planting container with drainage holes
• Potting soil
• Garden trowel

Instructions

1. Purchase a new planting container for the peace lily that is 2 inches larger in diameter than the container in which the peace lily was previously planted.

2. Pour new potting soil into the new planting container so it is one-quarter full of potting soil.

3. Remove the peace lily from the old container by gently pushing a garden trowel around the inside edge of the pot. Place the pot on its side and gently slide the peace lily from the container. Do not grab the top growth and pull the plant from the container, or you might damage the area where the top growth is connected to the root section.

4. Pick up the peace lily by the root section and place it into the new container. Do not try and remove the soil that clings to the root section of the peace lily when it is removed from the pot. This will damage the tender roots of the plant.

5. Add or take away new potting soil as needed while planting the peace lily in the new container. The root section should be surrounded by potting soil and planted at the same level as in the previous container. The top of the soil should be 1/2 inch below the top of the container to avoid water runoff while watering.

6. Water the soil around the newly transplanted peace lily gently but heavily to allow the soil to settle around the roots. Add more potting soil and water as needed until there are no air pockets around the roots of the plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a potting soil that is high in organic matter, so it drains well, and is specifically for blooming plants.

• Transplant the peace lily in the spring or early summer when it is coming out of its dormant period. Transplanting in the winter or late summer when growth is slowing allows the plant to sit in an excess of damp potting soil that it cannot utilize right away. Even though the plant is indoors in a brightly lit location, it is still sensitive to changes in daylight length.

• Use a new container that is 2 inches larger than the previous container to avoid excess potting soil around the roots of the plant from collecting water. The excess water will cause organic material in the potting soil to rot. The rotting organic matter emits toxic gases that damage the health of the plant and cause offensive odors. Also, the rotting organic material is a breeding ground for fungal diseases that attack the roots of the plant.

References

• North Dakota State University Extension: Questions on Lilies
• Seminole County Florida Extension: Spathiphyllum: The Peace Lily
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Peace Lily