Peace Lily Care Guide: Light, Water, Blooms and Fixes

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is one of the most popular houseplants for good reason: glossy dark leaves, elegant white flowers, and a rare talent for growing in lower light. It also tells you exactly when it needs water by drooping dramatically, then perks right back up.

Good peace lily care is simple once you know its few quirks: steady moisture, no harsh sun, and water that is not too heavy in chemicals. This guide covers light, watering, soil, feeding, getting more flowers, repotting and quick fixes for drooping, brown tips and yellow leaves.

Peace lily care at a glance

Need	What your peace lily wants
Light	Medium to bright, indirect light. Tolerates low light; no direct sun.
Water	When the top inch of soil is dry, about once a week. It droops when thirsty.
Water type	Filtered, distilled or rain water helps prevent brown tips.
Soil	Rich, well-draining indoor potting mix.
Temperature	65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C). Keep above 55°F (13°C).
Humidity	50% or more is ideal; average homes are usually fine.
Fertilizer	Balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 6 to 8 weeks in spring and summer.
Flowers	Mostly spring and summer on mature plants in good light.
Repotting	Every 1 to 2 years, when roots fill the pot.
Pet safety	Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).

Light: the right spot for a peace lily

Peace lilies grow on rainforest floors in dappled shade, so they like medium to bright, indirect light. A spot a few feet from an east or north window, or set back from a south or west window, is ideal.

• Low light: it survives and stays green, but usually stops flowering.
• Bright, indirect light: the most flowers and the fullest growth.
• Direct sun: scorches the leaves, causing pale, yellow or brown patches.
• Rotate the pot every few weeks for even, upright growth.

Not sure how bright your room is? Read our houseplant light guide.

How often to water a peace lily

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, which is about once a week in spring and summer and every 1 to 2 weeks in winter. Peace lilies like evenly moist soil, but not soggy soil.

The droop is your watering reminder. When a peace lily gets thirsty, its leaves flop dramatically. Water thoroughly and it usually stands back up within a few hours. Just do not let it happen too often, because repeated wilting leads to yellow leaves and brown tips.

1. Check the soil with your finger before watering.
2. Water slowly until it runs out of the drainage holes.
3. Empty the saucer after 10 to 15 minutes so roots never sit in water.
4. If it droops while the soil is still wet, stop watering and check the roots for rot.

For more on technique, see how to water houseplants. Constantly soggy soil can lead to root rot and fungus gnats.

Best soil and pot

Use a rich, well-draining indoor potting mix. Adding a handful of perlite or orchid bark keeps it airy while still holding the even moisture peace lilies like. Always use a pot with drainage holes. More in our potting soil guide.

Temperature and humidity

Peace lilies like warm, steady temperatures of 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C). Keep them above 55°F (13°C) and away from cold drafts, open doors in winter and heater or air conditioning vents.

They appreciate humidity of 50% or more. In dry winter air, group plants together or use a humidifier to prevent brown tips. See our humidity guide and temperature guide.

Fertilizing a peace lily

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 6 to 8 weeks in spring and summer, and stop in fall and winter. Peace lilies are light feeders: too much fertilizer causes brown leaf tips and can turn the flowers green. See our fertilizing guide.

How to get your peace lily to bloom

The white “flower” is actually a modified leaf called a spathe wrapped around a spike of tiny true flowers. Store-bought plants are often treated to bloom, so a plant that flowers less after you bring it home is normal.

• More light: the most common reason a peace lily does not bloom is low light. Move it to bright, indirect light.
• Maturity: young plants or freshly divided ones may need a year to settle and bloom.
• Light feeding: regular, gentle feeding in spring and summer supports flowers.
• Snug roots: peace lilies often bloom better when slightly root-bound.
• Old flowers: when a flower turns green or brown, cut its stalk off at the base to tidy the plant.

How to repot and divide a peace lily

Repot every 1 to 2 years in spring, when roots circle the pot or the plant dries out very quickly. Move up just one pot size, 1 to 2 inches wider, and use fresh mix.

Division is the easiest way to propagate. When repotting a large plant, gently pull or cut the root ball into clumps that each have several leaves and healthy roots, and pot each one separately. Keep them in bright, indirect light and slightly moist while they settle. See our repotting guide and propagation guide.

Common peace lily problems and fixes

Drooping leaves

Spot it: The whole plant wilts and leaves flop over.

Why it happens: Usually thirst. If the soil is wet, it can mean root rot or a recent repot or move.

Fix it: If dry, water thoroughly and it will perk up within hours. If wet, let it dry out and check the roots for rot.

Prevent it: Check the soil weekly and water before it dries out completely.

Brown leaf tips

Spot it: Dry, brown, crispy leaf tips and edges.

Why it happens: Chemicals or salts in tap water, too much fertilizer, low humidity or repeated wilting.

Fix it: Trim the tips with clean scissors, switch to filtered or rain water and flush the soil.

Prevent it: Steady watering, light feeding and humidity of 50% or more.

Yellow leaves

Spot it: Leaves turn yellow, often older, lower leaves first.

Why it happens: Overwatering, too much direct sun, or natural aging of old leaves.

Fix it: Remove yellow leaves at the base, let the soil dry a little more between waterings and move out of direct sun.

Prevent it: Water by soil feel. More causes in yellow leaves on houseplants.

Green or brown flowers

Spot it: White flowers turn green or brown.

Why it happens: Green is a normal part of aging, though excess fertilizer can cause it too. Brown means the flower is finished.

Fix it: Cut the old flower stalk off at its base.

Prevent it: Feed only at half strength in the growing season.

No flowers

Spot it: Healthy leaves but no new blooms.

Why it happens: Too little light, a very young plant, or a lack of feeding.

Fix it: Move to bright, indirect light and feed every 6 to 8 weeks in spring and summer.

Prevent it: Bright, indirect light year round.

Also check leaf undersides for spider mites and mealybugs; our houseplant pests guide shows how to treat them. For a plant in bad shape, see how to revive a dying houseplant.

Is a peace lily toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists the peace lily as toxic to cats and dogs. It contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and stomach, causing drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Despite its name, it is not a true lily, so it does not cause the kidney failure that true lilies cause in cats, but it should still be kept out of reach. See our pet-friendly houseplants for safer choices.

More plant care guides: Spider plant care · Snake plant care · Monstera care · ZZ plant care · Fiddle leaf fig care · Bird of paradise care · Lucky bamboo care · Orchid care

Quick action checklist

Peace lily care FAQ

Sources and further reading

Want to go deeper? These university extension and expert resources cover the same topic:

• NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Spathiphyllum (peace lily)
• ASPCA: Toxic and non-toxic plants list
• University of Illinois Extension: Watering houseplants