Peace lily
Spathiphyllum species · also called Spathiphyllum
Foliage and indoor
- Light
- Part sun, Shade or indoors
- Pot size
- Medium pot (about 5 to 15 litres)
- Care level
- Easy
- Year round or seasonal
- Kept year to year; in a pot, keep it above about 4.4 °C (40 °F)
- Pets
- ASPCA: toxic to pets
Light and position
A plant for part to deep shade. NC State says not to place it in direct sun.
Size and pot
NC State says it is typically about 3 feet tall indoors. Our pot band: medium pot (about 5 to 15 litres).
Watering
Keep the mix moist but not soggy, letting it dry slightly between waterings. Watering from below works well.
Potting mix and feeding
A mix high in organic matter. Feed at a quarter of the label strength and flush the pot between feeds: excess fertiliser and salts burn leaf tips.
Growing through the year
NC State notes growth slows at 40 to 60 °F and temperatures below 40 °F (about 4.4 °C) damage the plant.
Winter outdoors
Cold limit in a pot: about 4.4 °C (40 °F). NC State says temperatures below 40 °F damage leaves, stems and roots.
| Your coldest winter nights | What to do |
|---|---|
| Coldest nights 15 °C or warmer | Can stay out through this winter |
| Coldest nights 10 to 15 °C | Can stay out through this winter |
| Coldest nights 5 to 10 °C | Can stay out through this winter |
| Coldest nights 0 to 5 °C | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 4.4 °C |
| Light frost: nights down to about −5 °C | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 4.4 °C |
| Hard frost: nights below −5 °C | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 4.4 °C |
A plant can stay out only when its limit is below the coldest night in your band; a limit equal to that night counts as needing shelter. A rare cold snap, wind or a wet pot can still damage plants. We convert °F to °C with NIST’s formula.
Watch for
Mealybugs under the leaves; brown tips from direct sun, underwatering or dry air.
Pets and people
ASPCA lists peace lily as toxic to dogs and cats (insoluble calcium oxalates). Signs include intense mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.
General gardening information, not professional advice. Plant toxicity details are a starting point, not veterinary or medical advice: if a pet or child may have eaten a plant, contact a veterinarian or doctor promptly.
Care level: NC State’s maintenance rating (Low). Pot band and summary wording are ours, based on the sources below.