When do peace lilies bloom indoors?
The genus of plants is often referred to as peace lilies due to their white spathe-like appearance, resembling a flag of surrender.
The columnar central spadix and spathe combination appears to resemble a peaceful candle flame flickering on a dark night.
The peace lily, despite its name, exudes a gentle and peaceful quality.
Evergreen herbaceous perennials are ideal for beginners due to their low light and water requirements, making them a great choice for houseplants.
This guide provides comprehensive information on how to add a lush green flowering plant to your indoor space And we learn how do i get my peace lily to flower again? Or Why does my peace lily not flower?
What Are Peace Lilies?
These beautiful creatures are native to regions of the Tropics in Mexico, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia.
They thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, but cannot withstand cold in the US or its territories year-round.
Grow them indoors as houseplants, ensuring temperatures between 65 and 80°F for their growth.
Nearly 50 species and dozens of varieties exist, all featuring a spathe, a large, pointed bract designed to attract pollinators, and a spadix, a flower-like plant.
The spadix is a spur that rises alongside the spathe, housing tiny, visually insignificant flowers.
Peace lilies bloom in spring, with white spathes and straight spadices lasting up to two months.
By taking extra care of your houseplant, it may bloom again in the fall, while its glossy evergreen leaves remain attractive year-round, despite winter not blooming.
Lilies, a member of the Liliaceous family, are moderately toxic to humans, dogs, and cats, but Spathiphyllum species are not related to lilies.
Spathiphyllum and Calla lilies are part of the Acraea family, but they are not true lilies and belong to the subfamily Monsteroideae.
Despite the alarming subfamily name, there’s nothing monstrous about peace lilies. The plants are mildly toxic if ingested, causing irritation to the mouth and, potentially, nausea. It’s best to keep them away from kids and pets like cats.
Indoor greenery can help to boost your mood, so it’s a great idea to acquire a few new houseplants during the cold and dark winter months.
Have I convinced you that you should add one of these to your collection? Keep reading to learn more about these popular plants, and how to care for them.
Cultivation and History
Spathiphyllum, a plant originating from Greek words for spoon and leaf, was introduced to Europe in the 1870s by Gustav Wallis, a plant hunter for James Veitch and Sons in London, and named after him.
The genus of peace lily, also known as S. cochlearispathum, floribunda, montane, and Wallisian, is characterized by spathes, with popular species among home gardeners including S. cochlearispathum, S. floribunda, S. montane, and S. Wallisian.
Propagation
Peace lily propagation is a reliable and easy method, as it can’t be grown from cuttings or seeds, and can be done by division.
To divide a mature Spathiphyllum plant, you need to find one with multiple crowns, possibly from a friend.
Choose a six to eight-inch pot with drainage holes, and a draining dish to fit beneath it.
Fill the pot with a houseplant-specific potting mix, such as Miracle-Grow, available at Home Depot.
Release the parent plant from its container, selecting a crown section with at least two leaves and a healthy root system attached.
Remove the crown from the mother plant using your fingers or a knife if necessary.
Replace the original lily container with a divided crown, add potting mix if needed, and plant in a six to eight-inch pot, tucking the mix around the roots.
Place the item in a location that receives indirect sunlight and water thoroughly.
How to Grow
Bringing home a potted plant makes it simple to transplant it into a larger container.
Choose a pot with drainage holes and a tray, and fill it with potting mix, either six to eight inches in size.
Use a butterknife to loosen the nursery plant’s edges, remove it, and replant it in a new container.
Peace lilies are easy to grow, requiring a weekly watering and allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.
The plant should be placed in a location that receives six to eight hours of filtered or indirect sunlight daily.
Peace lilies can withstand complete shade but require sufficient indirect sunlight to produce a significant number of flowers.
In the spring and summer, it is recommended to fertilize once a month according to the package instructions.
The user prefers using Miracle-Grow liquid houseplant fertilizer, which is available at Home Depot.
Fall and winter are the ideal seasons for plant growth, as they allow for a slower, less vigorous growth and a period of rest.
important question: Should I cut the brown tips off my peace lily?
Growing Tips
- Make sure your plant receives six to eight hours of indirect sunlight daily.
- Water about once a week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between watering.
- Fertilize every month during the spring and summer.
Pruning and Maintenance
This plant doesn’t need pruning, but remove dead or broken leaves when seen. If it grows too large for its container, transplant it into a larger pot.
Rootbound plants may show signs such as sticking roots out of drainage holes, water collecting on the potting mix surface, and slow growth. This is a good time to divide the plant into one to three crowns and give them their own containers. Young plants make great gifts for apartment-dwelling friends. If leaves turn yellow, the plant may be getting too much or too little light. If the plant is getting too much light, move it closer to a window or away from nearby windows.
During winter, look for brown-tipped leaves on Spathiphyllum plants, which prefer humid rainforests. Spray them once or twice a day during dry winter days and once or twice a week in spring and summer, if humidity levels are low.
Wipe leaves weekly with a damp cloth to remove dust and maintain plant health. This task is beneficial for children and can be taught early on, promoting early plant care.
Species and Cultivars to Select
The most popular peace lily species found in nurseries and garden centers include:
S.cochlearispathum
The Cupido peace lily, also known as Cupid, is a native species of southern Mexico that can grow up to six feet tall, but rarely reaches this height under favorable conditions.
cochlearispathum, a popular horticulturist’s favorite, has numerous popular varieties with long, ribbed, and pointed leaves.
S.floribundum
The snow flower, also known as
This species, native to northwestern South America, and its cultivars can often reach heights of up to six feet. the spathe, is a species with a green-tinged spathe and narrow, round-tipped, ribbed leaves.
S.montanum
S. montane, native to Panama and Costa Rica, has pointed, glossy green, ribbed leaves and a snow-white spadix.
S.wallisii
The 19th-century German plant collector Gustav Wallis named this popular species, which has produced numerous cultivars, many of which are still available today.
Three popular Spathiphyllum cultivars are available in various sizes and colors, making them an excellent choice for starting or expanding your houseplant collection.
Domino
S. Wallisian ‘Domino’ is a houseplant with unique, pointed, speckled leaves, offering lush green foliage and bright white spathes that rise a foot tall, creating an alluring effect.
Perfect Plants offers six-inch containers of this plant, which can grow up to two feet tall and wide, available at Home Depot.
Mauna Loa
This popular variety of S. Wallisian, known for its white blooms and glossy, lanceolate leaves, grows up to three feet tall and is a favorite worldwide.
Sweet Chico
S. Wallisian ‘Sweet Chico’ is a compact, 14-18 inch tall peace lily cultivar suitable for those with limited space.
‘Sweet Chico’ is a versatile plant with arching, lanceolate leaves and slender white spathes, making it an ideal addition to any home.
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Managing Pests and Disease
Peace lilies, grown as houseplants, are generally not susceptible to numerous pests or diseases, but certain precautions should be taken.
To remove pests from plants, check for sticky substances like honeydew, white mealybugs, brown spots, webbing, and spider mites. Wipe off the sticky substance and spray the leaves with neem oil to discourage them. Remove any visible mealybugs and spray the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap. If the leaves have brown spots, webbing, and numerous tiny insects, it’s likely spider mites. Remove damaged leaves, wipe off the webbing, and spray the entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Black insects are likely fungus gnats, indicating an infestation caused by excessive watering or inadequate drainage of the potting mix, which is attracting the gnats.
Pythium root rot, caused by water mold Pythium spp., is a disease that can cause yellowish and wilted leaves. To prevent further spread, remove any orange, brown, or yellowish roots, spray the root system with copper fungicide, sterilize the container, and repot in clean soil. Avoid overwatering and ensure the plant is not overwatered.
Best Uses
The peace lily is an excellent first-time houseplant for young gardeners due to its easy care. It grows in a wicker basket on a wooden floor next to a radiator in a residence.
Growing peace lilies indoors can brighten dreary winters and make excellent holiday gifts.
Peace Lilies originate from Colombia and Venezuela where they can be found in tropical, humid rainforests in warm temperatures. As they have grown in rainforests, this means that they are used to shaded areas where there’s a lot of bright, indirect sunlight.
The name ‘Peace Lily’ derives from the symbolism of its white flower; white is a symbol of innocence, peace and prosperity. It is believed that the Peace Lily can rid any space of negative energy due to its tranquille nature and appearance. It is also an air-purifying plant too which means that it can help to clean the air in your home.
Peace Lilies enjoy bright, indirect sunlight so avoid placing them on the windowsill of a south-facing window. This will likely result in the leaves turning yellow and they’ll start to look droopy. Instead, place it somewhere that will get a reasonable amount of indirect light.
Peace Lilies don’t like to be sat in moist, soggy soil as this will eventually cause root rot and once this happens, there’s not much you can do to save the plant. We recommend using a soil which is well-draining if you do need to repot and ensure your Peace Lily is in a pot with draining holes. Always check the soil before you water, and if the top 2 inches are dried out, it’s time to water.
As we know, Peace Lilies are acclimated to warmer, humid environments. When caring for your Peace Lily, ensure that you place it in a humid environment which can be achieved by placing your plant on a pebble tray which is kept moist; this allows the water to gradually evaporate around the plant. Alternatively, you can use a humidifier which will work as effectively or even occasionally misting to moisten its leaves. Try to avoid placing your Peace Lily in a cold room because they cannot tolerate these temperatures and you may begin to notice the wilting of the leaves as well as them becoming dry and crispy. Bathrooms and kitchens are the ideal locations for Peace Lilies.
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Herbaceous evergreen perennial | Foliage Color: | White, green, pink, red / green |
| Native to: | Mexico, Central and South America, Southeast Asia | Maintenance: | Low |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 11-12 (outdoor) | Soil Type: | Loose |
| Bloom Time / Season: | Spring and summer | Soil pH: | 5.0-6.5 |
| Exposure: | Indirect sunlight | Soil Drainage: | Well-draining |
| Time to Maturity: | 3-5 years | Companion Planting: | Amaryllis, bird’s nest fern, swiss cheese plant |
| Planting Depth: | Same depth as root ball | Uses: | Houseplant (excellent gift or starter plant) |
| Height: | 1-6 feet | Order: | Araceae |
| Spread: | 1-6 feet | Family: | Monsteroideae |
| Tolerance: | Some shade | Genus: | Spathiphyllum |
| Water Needs: | Low | Species: | cochlearispathum, floribundum, montanum, wallisii |
| Common Pests: | Aphids, gnats, mealybugs, spider mites | Common Diseases: | Pythium root rot |
Create a Peaceful Household
Choose an easy-to-care-for houseplant that adds beauty to your home. Choose the right type and choose a suitable location for growth.
