Plant care guides
Peace lily care guide Spathiphyllum wallisii
How to grow and care for Peace lily at home. Air-purifying; white spathe flowers.
- Light
- Low light tolerant
- Watering (summer)
- Every 5 to 7 days
- Watering (winter)
- Every 10 to 14 days
- Pet safety
- Toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Scientific name
- Spathiphyllum wallisii
- Origin
- Central America
- Humidity
- 50-70%
Fun fact
The white ‘flower’ is a leaf bract called a spathe; the real flowers are the small bumps along the central spike.
When and how much water
Water Peace lily when the top 2 cm of soil feel dry. In summer that’s typically every 5 to 7 days; in winter slow down to every 10 to 14 days. Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain — never leave the pot sitting in standing water.
- Every 10 to 14 days
- Every 5 to 7 days
The real schedule depends on three things the calendar can’t see: the actual light at the plant, the pot’s size and material (terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic), and your local humidity. Botanicaly’s app retunes the schedule from those signals on every reminder.
How bright a spot it needs
Peace lily tolerates low light but grows faster in medium light. The ideal lux range is 500 - 2,000 lux. In practical terms, place it 3-4 meters back from a north-facing window, or near any window indirectly lit.
Feeding
Feed Peace lily every 45 days while it’s actively growing. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the strength on the label, and only on soil that’s already damp — feeding dry roots can scorch them. When growth pauses, skip the fertilizer and let it rest.
Temperature & humidity
Peace lily is comfortable between 18 and 24 °C. Below 12 °C the leaves start taking damage, so keep it clear of cold drafts and unheated rooms.
It does best at 50–70% humidity. It doesn’t need misting.
Common problems
Most Peace lily problems trace back to watering — here’s how to read the leaves.
Signs of overwatering
Watch for
- Yellowing leaves
- Wilting despite wet soil
- Root rot
- Mushy crown
Let the soil dry further between waterings and make sure the pot drains freely — soggy roots are the usual cause.
Signs of underwatering
Watch for
- Dramatic drooping
- Crispy leaf edges
- Brown leaf tips
Water a little more often and don’t let the soil go bone-dry for long.
Toxic to pets?
YesToxic to pets.
The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep Peace lily out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Kentia palm, Money tree, or Peacock plant.
Pet-safe alternatives with similar light: Kentia palm, Money tree, Peacock plant. See all pet-safe alternatives →
Pet-safety information for catalog plants uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice.
Propagation
Grow more Peace lily from a cutting.
- Water the plant thoroughly the day before dividing — well-hydrated roots are more resilient.
- Slide the plant gently out of its pot.
- Shake off the loose potting mix to expose the root system.
Common questions
How often should I water a Peace lily?
Water your Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) when the top 2 cm of soil feel dry. In summer, that’s typically every 5 to 7 days; in winter, slow down to every 10 to 14 days. Botanicaly’s app tunes this further based on your home’s actual light, pot size, and local weather.
How much light does a Peace lily need?
Peace lily tolerates low light but grows faster in medium light. The ideal lux range is 500 - 2,000 lux. In practical terms, place it 3-4 meters back from a north-facing window, or near any window indirectly lit.
Is Peace lily safe for cats and dogs?
The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep Peace lily out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Kentia palm, Money tree, or Peacock plant.
Why are my Peace lily’s leaves turning yellow or drooping?
On a Peace lily, yellowing and soft growth usually mean overwatering — watch for yellowing leaves, wilting despite wet soil, or root rot. Let the soil dry further between waterings and check drainage. If you see dramatic drooping, crispy leaf edges, or brown leaf tips instead, it’s likely thirsty — water a little more often. Botanicaly’s Plant Doctor can help assess visible signs from a photo and suggest possible causes.
Botanicaly
A schedule that reads your room.
You don’t need to work out your Peace lily’s care from scratch each time. Botanicaly uses its saved setup and care history for the next step. Identifying is free. Pro adds Plant Doctor and Weather-smart care.
Still wet
Check again in 2 days
Botanicaly updates the next step when the soil isn’t dry.
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