Greetings, human caretaker. I am a Peace Lily, known to your scientists as Spathiphyllum. While I cannot speak in your tongue, if I could, this is the guide I would provide. To help me thrive and display my graceful, spoon-shaped white flowers and lush green leaves, please follow these instructions. They are written from my perspective, a plant who simply wants to live its best life in your care.
I am quite communicative about my thirst. My leaves will begin to droop slightly when my soil is dry and I need a drink. This is my polite way of telling you I'm thirsty. Please do not wait until I am severely wilted, as this causes me stress. When watering, use room-temperature water and pour it evenly over my soil until it runs freely from the drainage holes at my pot's base. I do not like to sit in a saucer of water, as this will rot my roots. Empty the saucer after 15 minutes. I am generally happy with a drink about once a week, but I will signal to you, so watch my leaves.
I am a creature of the forest floor, accustomed to dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Please place me in a spot with bright, indirect light. A north or east-facing window is often ideal. If you place me in direct, harsh sunlight, especially through a south or west window, my leaves will scorch, turning yellow and brown with crispy tips. Conversely, if my home is too dark, I may refuse to flower and my growth will become leggy and sparse. I am tolerant of lower light, but I truly flourish with gentle, filtered brightness.
My tropical origins mean I adore moisture in the air. The average home can be quite dry, especially in winter. To keep my leaves glossy and prevent brown tips, please provide extra humidity. You can do this by placing my pot on a pebble tray filled with water (ensuring my pot is not sitting in the water), grouping me with other plants, or occasionally misting my leaves. I am comfortable in the same temperatures as you, ideally between 65°F and 80°F (18°C - 27°C). Please keep me away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and heating sources, as sudden temperature changes are a shock to my system.
I am not a heavy feeder, but I do appreciate nutrients during my active growing season, which is spring and summer. Please feed me a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half the recommended strength, about once a month. There is no need to feed me in the fall and winter when my growth naturally slows. As for my soil, a well-draining, peat-based potting mix is perfect. It holds enough moisture for my roots without becoming waterlogged, which is a condition I fear greatly.
To keep me looking my best, please gently wipe my broad leaves with a damp cloth every so often. This removes dust, allowing me to breathe and absorb more light efficiently. When a flower fades and turns green and then brown, you can cut the entire stalk off at the base. This encourages me to put my energy into new growth and future blooms. If the very tips of my leaves turn brown, it is often due to low humidity, over-fertilization, or chemicals in tap water. You can trim the brown tips away, following the natural leaf shape, for a neater appearance.
