Peace lily
Use the plant's dramatic drooping as your watering cue rather than a fixed schedule.
Care
One of the best houseplants for a shadier spot, though it flowers more freely with brighter indirect light.
Dislikes drying out fully, and famously droops dramatically when thirsty — a useful watering cue.
Peat-free, moisture-retentive but well-drained houseplant compost.
Remove spent flower stems at the base and any yellowing leaves.
A dilute balanced feed monthly in the growing season. Feed too strongly and the leaf tips brown; a plant that has stopped flowering usually needs more light rather than more fertiliser.
Divide at repotting in spring: tip the plant out and pull the crowns apart with roots attached. Each piece re-establishes quickly if potted snugly rather than into an oversized pot.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchRepot every 1-2 years — a fast grower that becomes rootbound quickly. how ›
- AprilMonthly liquid feed through the growing season. how ›
- JuneWipe leaves periodically to keep pores clear and discourage spider mite.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRepot every 1-2 years — a fast grower that becomes rootbound quickly. how ›
- AprilMonthly liquid feed through the growing season. how ›
- JuneWipe leaves periodically to keep pores clear and discourage spider mite.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRepot every 1-2 years — a fast grower that becomes rootbound quickly. how ›
- AprilMonthly liquid feed through the growing season. how ›
- JuneWipe leaves periodically to keep pores clear and discourage spider mite.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRepot every 1-2 years — a fast grower that becomes rootbound quickly. how ›
- AprilMonthly liquid feed through the growing season. how ›
- JuneWipe leaves periodically to keep pores clear and discourage spider mite.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Dramatic wilting.
What to do. Water promptly — usually recovers within hours.
How to spot it. From dry air or tap water chemicals.
What to do. Increase humidity, use rainwater.
How to spot it. If left standing in water in a saucer.
What to do. Empty saucer after watering.
Questions
Peace lily: is it hardy?
H1b: Tender, needs above 10°C. It survives above 10 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Standard container culture.
Peace lily: when do you prune it?
Remove spent flower stems at the base and any yellowing leaves.
Peace lily: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in March–August.
When do you feed it?
A dilute balanced feed monthly in the growing season. Feed too strongly and the leaf tips brown; a plant that has stopped flowering usually needs more light rather than more fertiliser. Feeding months, UK: April–September.