Hello there, new friend! I am your Peace Lily, scientifically known as Spathiphyllum. First, thank you for bringing me into your home. To thrive, I need you to find the perfect spot for me. I adore bright, indirect sunlight. A north or east-facing window is ideal. Please, do not put me in direct, harsh afternoon sun as it will scorch my beautiful, dark green leaves, causing them to turn yellow and brittle. I can tolerate lower light conditions, but I may not flower as much. If you notice my leaves looking stretched or my famous white blooms (which are actually a specialized leaf bract called a spathe) are absent, I might be asking for a bit more light.
Watering is where many beginners get a little confused with me. I am quite dramatic when I'm thirsty. I will droop my leaves pathetically to tell you I need a drink. Don't worry, a good watering will perk me right back up in a few hours! I prefer consistently moist soil, but I despise sitting in water. My roots are sensitive and will rot if left in soggy conditions. A good rule is to water me thoroughly when the top inch of my soil feels dry to the touch. Use room temperature water if possible, and always ensure the excess water can drain freely from the pot. In winter, I will need less frequent watering.
I hail from tropical rainforests, so I thrive in a warm and humid environment. Average room temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) are perfect for me. Please keep me away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, or heating ducts, as sudden temperature changes stress me out. I love humidity. If your home is dry, especially in winter, you can mist my leaves regularly, place my pot on a tray of pebbles with water (ensure the pot is not sitting directly in the water), or group me with other plants to create a more humid microclimate. This will keep my leaves lush and prevent the tips from turning brown.
To support my growth and encourage those beautiful white blooms, I appreciate being fed. During my active growing season (spring and summer), you can feed me with a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength, about once a month. There is no need to feed me during the fall and winter when my growth naturally slows down. Over-fertilizing can harm my roots and cause leaf burn, so when in doubt, less is more.
A little grooming goes a long way in keeping me healthy and attractive. As my flowers age, they will naturally start to turn green and then brown. You can simply snip off the spent flower stalks at the base to encourage new ones to grow. If you see any yellow or brown leaves, feel free to prune those away at the stem too. This helps me direct my energy to new, healthy growth. Dust can accumulate on my broad leaves, which blocks sunlight. Wiping them gently with a damp cloth every so often allows me to breathe and photosynthesize efficiently.
