Peace lilies are one of the most popular plants to grow indoors and are often one of the first houseplants someone will acquire, and for good reason.
They’re a looker, with big, lush, shiny leaves and elegant white flowers, and their easy-going (and easy-growing) nature, making them an attractive addition to your plant collection.
They also filter toxins from the air, so they truly are one of the greatest plants of the houseplant world.
So how do you avoid killing the much-loved indoor plant? According to the flower experts at retailer Grace and Thorn, there are two important factors to consider: location and watering.
Peace lily location
Unlike many houseplants, peace lilies will “thrive” when placed in low-light areas. You can place them five to eight feet from a window and they’ll do just fine.
However, if you place them in direct sunlight for long periods of time, the leaves “will yellow, die, and fall off”.
It’s also important to “never” place them in a draughty area as “they do not like it”.
A room temperature of 15 to 27 degrees is ideal, although they will tolerate down to 10 degrees.
Watering peace lilies
Peace lily soil should be kept evenly moist but not soggy as these houseplants have delicate root systems and standing water “will quickly wreak havoc and kill them”.
In fact, the experts claimed: “The most common reason that people kill their peace lilies is because they over-water them.”
Watering once every two to three weeks when it’s cool and the plant isn’t producing blooms, then once a week is plenty for this plant during warmer months.
For those unsure if their peace lily needs watering, they can stick their finger in the top couple of centimetres of soil. If it’s dry, water it, if it’s damp, don’t.
Peace lily leaves will also droop quite quickly if they’re thirsty, so that’s “a good thing to look out for”.
Peace lilies are sensitive to chemicals commonly found in tap water, such as fluoride, which may cause brown leaf tips. When possible, owners should aim to use filtered, room-temperature water instead.
