The peace lily comes from the genus Spathiphyllum, and it is a tropical species that is popular as a houseplant. They have beautiful flowers that stand over the foliage, and they look great anywhere in the home.
When peace lilies first come from the soil, they have oval leaves that are glossy and pointed. Once they grow, they usually bloom twice each year and you get flowers for several months.
How Do Peace Lilies Grow Outdoors?
Peace lilies are found in tropical and subtropical climates. They grow easily, and most of the time they are planted in the spring.
They prefer the cool temperatures at planting, and it takes them about three years to mature. They are toxic to both animals and to people.
They can grow up to six feet tall outdoors, and they need partial shade in moist soil that is well drained. They also prefer the soil to be acidic.
However, people often grow them indoors because they do well there.
Growing Peace Lilies Indoors
You can grow peace lilies as a houseplant in a pot, and they will do well. They grow between one and three feet tall indoors, and they can go outside during the summer.
They want to be in moist soil with filtered sunlight, and the temperatures and humidity need to remain temperate. They aren’t susceptible to many diseases indoors, but you need to look out for mealybugs and scale.
The best way to keep them healthy is by treating them with horticultural oil if you see these pests.
What Kind of Light Do Peace Lilies Need?
When peace lilies grow outdoors, they do best in the shade. However, they will need more filtered light indoors.
You should never place them in direct sunlight, although some varieties can tolerate it better than others.
If they do receive too much light, you might see the leaves turn pale and curl, and if they receive direct light, the leaves can be scorched. You will want to find a shadier place for the plant if you notice either of these issues.
Soil Needs of Peace Lilies
When you plant peace lilies indoors, they prefer loose potting soil that is rich and contains a lot of organic matter. In their native environment, they are accustomed to plenty of decaying plant materials, which is why organic matter is so important.
Make sure that the soil drains well, and the pot should have good drainage. Peace lilies are sensitive to soil that gets too damp, so you want to avoid it.
How Much Water Do Peace Lilies Need?
It is actually better to give peace lilies too little water than to give them too much, so you need to make sure that the soil is dry at least an inch down before you water them. They also need higher humidity in the summer so you can mist them throughout the day.
In the winters, you should water them less, but don’t let the soil dry out. You might consider using filtered water if your tap water has a lot of chlorine in it.
You can leave your tap water out for a few days, and the chlorine will evaporate out of it.
Ideal Temperature and Humidity for Peace Lilies
Peace lilies are subtropical, so they love moisture and warmth. You should protect them from the cold, especially anytime the temperature drops down below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
In fact, peace lilies will die if you leave them exposed to these cold temperatures for any length of time. The best temperature range for them is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the summer, the plant is growing. You can also spray the plants with distilled water to keep them moist.
Do Peace Lilies Need Fertilizer?
If you want your peace lilies to be strong and healthy, you should feed them throughout the growing season in the summer.
You can feed them every week, or you can give them slow-release pellets at the beginning of the growing season. However, you don’t need to fertilize them in the winter.
Potting the Peace Lily
You need to have a pot that is the right size for the peace lilies. They prefer to be root-bound, but you can move them to a larger pot when they grow too large for the one they are in.
You should use quality potting soil and make sure that any pot you use has good drainage. Some people prefer a terracotta pot because it wicks away the moisture, and peace lilies don’t like to get too wet.
When Do Peace Lilies Get Flowers?
Peace lilies have a beautiful bloom with a solid white flower set against its dark green leaves. The flower lasts at least a month, and then it fades.
It takes about three years for them to mature, and they do not flower until this time. Once they mature, they are notoriously difficult to get a bloom.
It is hard to mimic their natural environment, and they won’t bloom if anything is off. The bloom is a white spathe, which is actually a white leaf that encloses the flowers inside.
The flowers themselves are tiny and hardly noticeable. It is the white leaf that people enjoy seeing, and the plant has to have enough heat and moisture along with gentle light before it will bloom.
To get the ideal conditions, you need to make sure that the peace lily plant has soil that is rich in organic matter along with moderate moisture. It should be between 65 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and closer to 86 degrees to encourage blooming.
Some professional growers encourage the flower to bloom using a natural plant hormone that stimulates it into production. However, you will want to provide the right conditions for the plant in your home to encourage it to bloom.
Interesting Facts About Peace Lilies
Peace lilies are popular because they are fairly low maintenance, and they help to make your home beautiful. In addition, there are some interesting facts about them.
First of all, the peace lily symbolizes peace. It stands for peace, prosperity, purity, solitude, and tranquility. It has a lone white leaf that encloses the flower, which is a symbol of the white flag and stands for truce.
According to Feng Shui, the peace lily will balance all energy present and convert negative energy to positive. When you place it in your home, it helps create a positive environment.
The scientific name for the peace lily is Spathiphyllum, and it also goes by white flag, white sail plant, and Spath.
Many people don’t realize that peace lilies have health benefits. They purify the air around you by removing toxins including ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
They are low maintenance as long as you have them in the right place with everything they need. They don’t require as much water as other plants.
The peace lily first appeared in Europe in 1870. The name Spathiphyllum comes from the Greek word Spath, meaning spoon, and Phyl, meaning leaves.
The most difficult thing about peace lilies is that they don’t do well in cold temperatures. You should make sure that it is above 60 degrees for them to survive, and closer to 86 degrees if you want them to bloom.
Different Types of Peace Lilies
The peace lily is a great houseplant, and it comes in a variety of types. Take a look at some of the peace lilies that you can get.
1. Piccolino Peace Lily: The Piccolino peace lily is a dwarf variety, and it has dark green leaves with white blooms.
2. Sensation Peace Lily: This is the largest available peace lily, and it has large tropical leaves. It can grow as tall as six feet.
3. Patricia Peace Lily: This is another compact version, and it has the signature green leaves and white blooms.
4. Sonia Peace Lily: The difference with this variety of peace lily is that it has a small structure and little white blooms.
5. Little Angel Peace Lily: This one is also a compact dwarf variety, and it grows bracts more easily than others. It has deep green, glossy leaves.
6. White Stripe Peace Lily: This type has a white stripe down the center of the dark green leaves.
7. Domino Peace Lily: This type has ruffled green leaves that have a pattern of fine white streaks. These markings are beautiful in contrast with the white flowers.
8. Jetty Peace Lily: This type of peace lily has long green leaves with white bracts, and it grows full.
9. Mauna Loa Supreme Peace Lily: This one is a medium size, and it reaches as much as four feet tall. The leaves are glossy and green, and they are between nine and twelve inches wide.
10. Clevelandii: This version has leaves that are longer than others, and they can reach lengths of as much as 18 inches. It grows up to three feet tall.
11. Power Petite: People often choose to have this type in the house because it is compact, and it has shiny green leaves.
12. Wallisii: This type is also a dwarf, and it grows between 12 and 15 inches tall with leaves that are rippled and eight to ten inches long.
13. Picasso: This plant is beautiful with leaves that are half white and half green. It is unique and looks great in your house.
14. Allison: This is a hybrid that has flowers that resemble calla lilies. It grows as much as two feet, and it prefers indirect light.
15. Annette: This variety is similar to other types of peace lilies, and it has curved spathes and variegated foliage.
16. Bongo Bongo: This is a larger variety, and it has large leaves that are ten to twelve inches long.
17. Figaro: The spathes are pure white, the foliage is deep green, and it loves indirect light.
18. Sebastiano: This type of peace lily has evergreen leaves, and it does well indoors with low light.
When you are choosing the best peace lily for your home, consider the ideal size. Most of them require the same care, but some are quite a bit bigger than others.
Peace Lily Propagation
It is pretty simple to propagate a peace lily. You can divide sections of the main plant as soon as you decide how many you want to have.
The end result will depend on how big your plant is and how many crowns it has.
The first step is to look for the crowns in the plant. Once you identify them, you can remove the mother plant from the pot.
Lean the pot to the side, and you can tap the side of the pot to help it come out. Once it is out of the pot, you can divide it.
You need to take a crown section away from the mother plant by cutting it with a sharp knife. Each crown must have at least two leaves and roots if you want to propagate it.
You should check all of the roots and the leaves on the mother plant and the sections you propagated. Then make sure that there aren’t any leaves with brown tips.
You can place these smaller plants in four-inch pots, and make sure that you use a well-draining soil mix. You should water the plant if it is dry.
Once you have your new propagated plant, you need to keep it in bright filtered light, and make sure that you water it and feed it once a month. However, you don’t need fertilizer until two months after you cut it.
Final Thoughts
Peace lilies are beautiful plants, and they come in many different varieties. They have shimmery green leaves and a white flower.
You need to make sure that you recreate the environment they are used to when they grow outdoors. The plants won’t bloom if they aren’t happy with the environment.
In addition, you should know that this plant doesn’t mature until it’s around three years old. This means that it won’t bloom before then.
Pay attention to how you care for this plant, but it is generally low maintenance.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.