The Peace Lily: A Growing Guide

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Notes

Peace Lily is a robust and one of the most popular plants on the market, with distinctive characteristics that make it a great addition to the indoor plant collection of any plant enthusiast.

In this post, we’ll go through the dos, don’ts, and everything you need to know to keep your Peace plant happy.

If you are interested in purchasing one for yourself, we will explore numerous alternatives for you to consider. Read on about the unique characteristics that make this plant special.

What Is Peace Lily?

The Peace Lily is a perennial from the Arums family. It is characterized by its dark green foliage and lance-shaped leaves and is prized for its air-purifying abilities.Also known as white sails, spathe flower, and white sails, the Peace Lily grows well in a bathroom or kitchen as a houseplant.

While most of this article discusses indoor space growing requirements, you can keep this Spathiphylla plant outdoors in hardiness zones 11-12.

Origin And Family

From the Spathiphyllum species in the Arums family, the white sails are native to the rainforests of the tropical environment of Colombia and Venezuela or around Central America and produce significant small white flowers. Discovered in 1824 by Gustav Wallis, this houseplant makes a great addition to any home.

Where To Buy

Peace Lily is a beautiful addition to any garden, and we’ve had great success buying one online. You may visit your local nursery first, but if you want to select and purchase plants from the comfort of your home, then be sure to check out Etsy.

The price tags for a Peace Lily are usually reasonably affordable, ranging up to $30.

Peace Lily Plant Size

The white sails are Spathiphylla plants that grow to be approximately 1 to 4 feet tall indoors. It thrives well in a bathroom or kitchen because of its height capacity, light requirements, and high humidity needs.

Peace Lily Care Needs

Your Peace Lily, with its air-purifying abilities, will flourish if you take good care of it. This plant loves humidity and evenly moist soil throughout the year.

Water your Spathiphyllum frequently, especially when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Be sure to thoroughly soak it, allowing only a tiny amount of water to drip down the bottom of the pot. This plant thrives in bright indirect sunlight, avoiding exposure to excessive sunlight.

Check out the particular growing recommendations we’ve provided below to keep your Peace Lily healthy and thriving!

Care Difficulty

Due to its light, water, and humidity requirements, the spathe flower is generally regarded as low maintenance. To effectively cultivate this plant, you must pay close attention to the light and water conditions.

Peace Lily in her new summer position under her brother; fiddle fig leaf. Love them so much 💚🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/dIYPpXUC5X

— Le Gateau Chocolat (@LeGateauChoc) June 27, 2022

Growth Rate

The white sails plant grows 1 to 4 feet in height when grown to its maturity indoors, and its growing season is in the early summer months.

Most Spathiphylla species have a moderate growth rate.

Potting

Spathiphylla plants generally prefer a pot with good drainage. A medium-sized ceramic, plastic, and clay pot works fine. Drainage holes are essential to keep excess water from drowning the roots of your white sails.

Repotting

As your plant grows and expands, you might consider upgrading from your current pot to a larger vessel on an as-needed basis. Typically, the need to repot occurs yearly because this plant grows at a moderate pace.

When repotting, you can use new potting mix drainage and moisture retention batch, which is the ideal growing medium for your Peace Lily.

Soil

A mix of drainage and moisture retention is a suitable choice for the spathe flower. Add together components such as loam, peat moss, and sand to make your own soil mix. Keep in mind that this plant prefers an evenly moist growing medium.

Ensure that the soil type you choose allows for adequate drainage and aeration so that the roots may breathe better.

We suggest the following planting media:

pH

Your white sails like acidic soil, meaning you should keep the pH level at 5.6 to 6.5. If you’re concerned about acidity, you can buy a simple pH testing tool to examine your soil.

Regulate excessive pH levels on your soil with sulfur or aluminum sulfate. Improve low pH levels by adding baking soda, calcitic or dolomitic lime, or wood ash.

Water

Houseplants require adequate hydration to thrive, and too much may attract problems such as root rot and fungal infections. Too little, and the plants may have brown, malnourished leaves. White sails generally demand evenly moist soil for best health.

Simply inserting one’s finger into the pot can be used to check for moisture. When the top inch of soil is completely dry, it is time to water your plant.

For white sails, drainage holes and aerated soil are essential. Your plant should not be submerged in water for a lengthy period.

Light

Peace Lily prefers 16 to 18 hours of bright, indirect, or low light settings per day. Remember that you are attempting to recreate how it grows in the Colombian and Venezuelan tropical rainforests. The placement of this plant in a bathroom or kitchen is generally OK.

You’ll know your Peace Lily is getting too much light when it develops yellow leaves or brown spots and streaks. Conversely, if they stop growing, the plant needs more light. Avoid putting your Peace Lily in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it.

Fertilizer

Several indoor cultivators neglect to fertilize their plants, believing that water and bright indirect light are adequate. In reality, soil nutrients are equally as crucial to your plant’s health.

Feed your plant every 6 weeks during early summer. A water-soluble fertilizer will work best for your spathe flower. If you’re using a more potent fertilizer, you may need to dilute it first.

Propagating Peace Lily

It is possible to propagate a White Sails with the proper methods. Here are various techniques for propagating this sturdy houseplant.

Division

White Sails can be propagated through a process called division. While this method is used for vegetables with unique bulbs, tubers, stolons, rhizomes, and suckers, it can also be used for houseplants with stems that grow in clumps.

1. Dig up. Take the plant out of its pot. Remember to wear gardening gloves when handling plants and soil.

2. Separate. You should be able to see where the roots and stems spontaneously separated. Gently pull them apart with your fingers. Cut the roots where the sections connect.

3. Repot. Put each section in new pots filled with the same soil they’re used to.

Humidity And Aeration

High humidity (50-60% and above) is best for your Peace Lily. Lack of moisture in houseplants is often characterized by crispy leaves and browning edges. Consider getting a humidifier, or place your plant in well-lit, naturally higher humidity spaces (such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms).

‘what’s it like owning a peace lily?’ well. pic.twitter.com/4BwCA7Rqzq

— Shania 🦇 (@Shania_Rhi) June 27, 2022

Temperature

Your white sails will prosper in a warm area, so keep them in average room temperatures between 68 and 85 °F degrees Fahrenheit. 

Like most Spathiphylla plants, this sturdy houseplant will appreciate consistent temperatures throughout the year. Avoid using hot or cold water when watering your plant. Keep it away from heat sources (such as furnaces and vents) and cold (such as open windows during winter).

Flowers

The Peace Lily can produce significant white flowers in spring.

Toxic

If you have small children or dogs in your home, handle this plant carefully. The spathe flower is harmful to humans and animals, including cats and dogs. If ingested, you may experience burning and swelling of the lips, mouth, and tongue, as well as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty swallowing. The majority of the time, this plant is deemed non-lethal.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

Is your Peace Lily looking ill? Most would say this is not a plant with strong resistance to pests, diseases, and widespread problems.

In the following sections, I’ve provided the common issues that affect this plant. Use these tips to help diagnose and treat your Spathiphyllum.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are a prevalent pest, especially on white sails plants. Spider mite damage initially manifests as little brown or yellow spots on your plant’s leaves. You may also realize that your plant’s growth has slowed or ended.

To eliminate spider mites, wash your white sails using a sink nozzle, a pressure sprayer, or a garden hose. You can also spray the leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap, but be sure to include the underside of the peace lily leaves!

Spider mites’ natural predators include ladybugs, lacewings, and Stethorus picipes beetles (nicknamed “Spider Mite Destroyer”). Despite feeding on spider mites, these insects will not harm your plant.

Fungus Gnats

These could be symptoms of a fungus gnat infestation if you see abrupt wilting, yellowing, or poor growth in your white sails.

Gnats have translucent wings and long antennae. They like moist soil.

The emergence of fungus gnats will be more common if you overwater your white sails. Instead of watering, delay your watering for three days to let the soil dry. Whenever the top inch of soil is dry, wait to water an additional  3 days to let the soil dry out. This should kill some of the larvae at the top of the dirt.

We placed yellow sticky cards nearby when these gnats appeared in our hydroponics systems. These traps are efficient for capturing adults. Pour 1 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and 4 cups water onto the soil to destroy the larvae.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal infection that usually appears as round, dusty white patches on the foliage and stems of your white sails. Juvenile leaves are particularly vulnerable.

To treat, dissolve one tablespoon of baking soda and one-half teaspoon of liquid soap in one gallon of water. Liberally spray the mixture on your infected plant.

It is also a good idea to keep the foliage dry by putting your plant in an area with good ventilation.

White Flies

Whiteflies are pests that feed on the sap of your houseplants and resemble gnats. Having them on your white sails is a significant nuisance. They lay eggs that will hatch into larvae that feed on the undersides of your plant’s leaves.

Whiteflies can be eliminated with a standard pesticide, and you may purchase it online or prepare one using the recipe provided.

• To produce your base, combine the following ingredients: 5 drops of dish soap (be sure it does not include bleach!) + 1 cup of olive or vegetable oil

• Add 1.5 teaspoons of the prepared mixture per ounce of water

• After vigorously shaking the solution, pour it into a spray bottle.

• Spray all surfaces of the affected plant, particularly the leaf undersides.

Scale Insects

Sap-feeding insects are known as scales. Adult scales are distinguished from other insects by their ability to adhere to a single plant portion and remain there. On the stems or petioles of a plant, they may appear as brownish lumps known as armored scales.

To prevent scales from attaching to your Peace Lily, dilute a teaspoon of neem oil in 500 milliliters of water and spray it on the plant’s leaves as a preventative precaution.

You can also release ladybugs or lacewings next to the afflicted plant and let them take care of the problem.

Aphids

Aphids are tiny insects that will sap your spathe bloom. Some aphids are crawlers, while others have wings. They can be found in numerous hues, including brown, black, red, green, and white.

Look for aphids on the undersides of leaves, on unfolded shoots, and in vulnerable sections of the stem. Act soon if you see these insects (typically in clusters), so they don’t spread to other houseplants!

Cover the soil with a plastic bag first. Then, thoroughly wash your plant with soap and water. Even a sponge can be used to ensure that all surfaces are cleaned. After washing, place your plant in a shady, well-ventilated area to prevent the soap from burning its leaves.

Spray your spathe flower with neem oil, horticultural oil, or rubbing alcohol if the aphids return. Remember to first dilute these substances.

My peace lily has a double bloom ☺️ pic.twitter.com/MMJf0bJnyN

— Layla The Witch Next Door🔥 (@WitchyKindaGirl) June 23, 2022

Mealybugs

Your sails may be infested with mealybugs. These tiny parasites sap the sap from your plant, thereby weakening it. The honeydew that they secrete can also promote the growth of fungi.

Mealybugs are oval-shaped insects that appear as cottony lumps on all plant sections. They will either remain still or slowly creep.

To combat a mealybug infestation, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and brush it over the plant’s lance-shaped leaves and other damaged places. I also suggest using a mixture of neem oil and water as a preventative spray.

Brown Leaf Tips

A buildup of salts and minerals in the soil is common for leaf edges to become brown on your white sails. This often occurs when too much fertilizer is applied or chemically treated tap water.

Another cause of browning leaf tips is dehydration. Water your plant correctly and increase the humidity in your home.

Drooping Leaves

Mealybugs and other pests that infest the Peace Lily can cause leaves to droop. This problem can also be caused by underwatering, lack of humidity, and lack of nutrients.

Yellow Leaves

To determine the cause of yellowing leaves on your spathe flower, you may need to investigate numerous variables. Are you watering your plant insufficiently or excessively? Is your plant receiving sufficient light? Recently did you fertilize your plant? Are there unexpected weather shifts?

Yellowing leaves at the plant’s base may also indicate that the plant is growing and the leaf’s energy has been depleted. In this instance, simply remove the yellowing leaves so the plant may concentrate on producing new, green leaves.

Root Rot

Overwatering, inadequate drainage, or fungal spores on the soil can cause root rot in plants. Root rot is difficult to treat, so it is best to take precautions.

The best way to prevent rot in white sails is to ensure that the root system is not consistently exposed to wet conditions. Always check for soil moisture before watering your plant. Use a chunky soil mix to allow airflow in the roots. Most importantly, use a porous pot that has drainage holes.

Similar Plants

Here are some additional related plant ideas to consider:

Calla Lily – The calla lily is a beautiful flower but isn’t considered a true lily. This lovely plant, which comes in various hues, grows from rhizomes and is perfect for beds and borders. Calla lilies can also be grown as houseplants in containers, outside, or a sunny window. Here are some suggestions for cultivating calla lilies that can make your yard gleam.

Heartleaf Philodendron Scandens – These plants are not only simple to keep healthy, but they also come in a variety of lovely colors and can be kept as lively, bushy plants or graceful trailers.

Anthurium – In milder climates, anthurium plants are grown as houseplants, and in USDA zones 10 and higher, they are used as landscaping plants. Anthurium care is simple as long as you give the plant some essential nutrients.

Conclusion

The Peace Lily is an excellent choice for plant enthusiasts due to its air-purifying abilities.

If you’re looking for a new plant to add to your collection or are just getting started as an indoor gardener, use the tips you’ve learned from us to begin growing Peace Lily today!

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