Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems with Solutions

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Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Peace Lily also called White Sails or Spathe Flower is one of the most popular plants on account of its ability to clean indoor air while the dark-green glossy leaves and white blooms will brighten any space.

The bloom is a spathe which appears pale green as it begins to grow and turns white at it opens. It surrounds a spadix that is densely covered by tiny, white flowers.

Spathe Flowers are tropical evergreens which grow from underground rhizomes and are easy to grow even for a beginner.

Botanical name: Spathiphyllum wallisii
Family: Araceae
Common names: Peace Lily, White Sails, Spathe Flower

Origin

Spathiphyllum wallisii is native to the tropical rainforests of Central America and Southeastern Asia. In its natural enviroment, it grows in consistently humid conditions on the forest floors where it receives filtered sunlight.

Size

White sails can grow to a height of 3 feet which makes it very versatile. It can be grown as a table-top plant, on top of a shelf or even in a floor positioned pot. It is among the best plants for a study table to boost concentration & productivity

Varieties

Peace Lily has many hybrids and cultivars like Mauna Loa, Sensation, White Stripe and Domino among others.

Air Cleaning

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Spathiphyllum wallisii was found to be among the best air-purifying plants and gets rid of xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and ammonia from indoor air.

Toxicity

Peace Lily though called lily is not a true lily. Therefore, it is not as much toxic as true lilies and is only mildly toxic to humans and pets according to ASPCA.

Spathe Flower contains Calcium oxalate crystals which can cause skin irritation, a burning sensation in the mouth, difficulty swallowing and nausea. It does not contain toxins that are found in true lilies which can cause acute kidney failure in cats and dogs.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add Peace Lily to your collection, they are available online on Amazon (Link to Amazon).

Spathiphyllum wallisii Care Indoors

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) blooms in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 18-26⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, Peace Lily potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Spathiphyllum wallisii only requires repotting when pot-bound as it blooms best when the roots are confined. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Peace Lily liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.

Decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time and so the plant will not require a lot of water. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Use room temperature water to water the plant as cold water can shock this tropical plant resulting in reduced growth. Ensure that the water is chlorine-free as the plant is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water.

To avoid getting soggy soil which can lead to root-rot and death of the plant, confirm that the pot has a drainage hole.

Light Requirements

Peace Lily grows best in bright indirect light (partial shade). Keep it away from direct sunshine to avoid scorching of the leaves.

You may also grow White sails under grow lights if the natural light is inadequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights available on Amazon.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth to prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature and Humidity

Peace Lily thrives in average warmth of 18-26⁰C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for the plant. Keep it away from cold and hot drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as they can cause reduced growth and dry shrivelled leaves.

Average humidity of 50-55% is adequate for Peace Lily. However, if the air is too dry, the plant may develop brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and reduce infestation by pests. Ascertain that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Potting Mix

The best potting medium for Peace Lily should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most Peace Lily potting mixes are ideal for the plant. Check out these 9 Best Potting Mixes for Peace Lily Grown Indoors.

Fertilizer

Feed Spathiphyllum wallisii monthly during the growing season with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer to encourage flowering. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.

Peace Lily is sensitive to chemicals that may be accumulated in the soil therefore, regularly flush out excess chemical deposits from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until water comes out through the drainage hole. Let the stream of water run for a few minutes.

Repotting

Keep Peace Lily pot-bound to promote flowering and repot during the growing period only when it has outgrown its current pot. Repot into a pot that is only 1 size larger than the current one.

During repotting, divide large plants to allow adequate room for growth in the new pot. Cut through the rhizomes with a sharp sterile knife and pot the sections in individual pots.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Peace Lily involves removal of dead leaves to keep the plant neat and also minimize pest and disease infestations. Once the blooms are spent, cut them off as close to the base as possible to maintain the plant neat and tidy.

Propagation

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season by division of mature plants.

How to propagate Peace Lily by plant division

Water the Peace Lily thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

Take the plant out of its pot and carefully divide the rhizome into several sections while ensuring that each division has at least 2 leaves and some roots.

Pot the sections into individual pots in moist free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

Water soil thoroughly and place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight. Maintain the soil consistently moist thorough out but not soggy.

The sections may wilt slightly due to the repotting shock but they will recover with time.

Allow the Spathiphyllum wallisii sections adequate time to be well established before moving it to its display position and beginning routine care.

Spathiphyllum wallisii Common Problems

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) problems include yellow leaves, drooping leaves, leaf spots, lack of blooms, brown leaf tips and edges, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Pests

Peace Lily is fairly resistant to pests. However, weak plants can be attacked by mealybugs, aphids, fungus gnats and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Drooping leaves and blooms

There are a number of varied causes which include overwatering, underwatering, wrong temperature, exposure to direct sunlight, low air humidity, diseases and pests among others.

Take a look at these 10 Reasons Peace Lily is Drooping and How to Revive It

Peace Lily dying

Peace Lily may die due to too little light, incorrect watering, being extremely root-bound, pest infestations, root-rot, exposure to hot direct sunlight, cold drafts among others.

Read more on these 12 Reasons Why Peace Lily is Dying and How to Revive It

Lack of blooms

There are several reasons why your Peace Lily is not blooming which include low light, overwatering, underwatering, underfeeding, low air humidity, wrong temperature, root-rot and pests among others.

Check out these 11 Reasons Why Peace Lily is Not Blooming and How to Fix Them.

Yellow leaves

Yellow leaves in Peace Lily may be caused by poor lighting, improper watering, low humidity, poor feeding, wrong temperature, diseases, pests among others.

Here are 13 Causes of Peace Lily Yellow Leaves & How to Fix Them.

Brown leaf tips

There are three possible causes of brown leaf tips in Peace Lily. One possible cause of brown leaf tips is overwatering. Maintain the soil moderately moist while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.

Cut down on watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time but do not allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the correct way.

The second possible cause of brown leaf tips in Spathiphyllum wallisii is low humidity especially where the indoor temperatures are too high. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other humid areas of the home. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

The third possible cause of brown leaf tips in Spathe Flower is accumulation of salts in the soil. Regularly flush out excess chemical deposits from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until water comes out through the drainage hole. Let the stream of water run for a few minutes.

Yellow leaf edges

Yellow leaf edges in Peace Lily are due to lack of micronutrients like Magnesium and Iron in the soil. Feed the plant monthly during the growing season with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer that contains micronutrients.

Dry shrivelled leaves

Dry shrivelled leaves in Peace Lily are caused by too low humidity. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Brown dry leaf spots

Brown spots leaf spot in Peace Lily are an indication of sun scorch marks due to exposure of the plant to direct sunlight. Move the plant to a more shaded place or protect it from from direct sunlight by instaling a light curtain as it prefers dappled light (bright indirect light) away from direct sunlight.

Green colored blooms

Green colored blooms in Peace Lily are due to overfeeding. Reduce the amount of fertilizer by as much as half and observe the result and also withhold feeding during the cold season.

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