Why are my leaves turning brown?

This is often due to low humidity or using tap water with high mineral content.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Plant guide

Peace Lily.

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Pronounced spath-ih-FILL-um wal-LISS-ee-eye

Also known as Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii — Photo by kristen_276 (CC0) via gbif

The peace lily is a classic houseplant known for its elegant white blooms and lush foliage. It is a fantastic choice if you want a plant that tells you exactly when it is thirsty. These beauties thrive in indoor environments and help keep your air feeling fresh.

Another photo of Peace Lily — Photo by Greg III Espera (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Partial shade to indirect light
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 3 feet tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 11 to 12
Bloom time: Spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for drooping leaves as a clear signal that your plant needs a drink. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them free of dust and looking their best.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Snip off yellowing leaves or spent flower stalks at the base.
Repotting: Move to a larger pot once the roots become crowded and start circling.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.8 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the soil without soaking in.
The plant wilts very quickly after watering.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat if ingested.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested due to insoluble calcium oxalates.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the leaves and stems are toxic if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: Handling the plant can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to the sap.
Airborne allergens: The pollen from the spadix can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
Edibility: This plant is not edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Glossy dark green lance shaped leaves
White hooded spathe surrounding a spadix
Upright growth habit
Veins deeply impressed into leaf surface

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 10 to 20cm

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Tip BurnCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division
When to plant: year round
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents. Reduce watering slightly during the winter months when growth slows down.
In containers: It thrives in containers and prefers a pot that is only slightly larger than its root ball.

Division

1. Carefully remove the plant from its pot.
2. Gently pull apart the root clumps into smaller sections.
3. Ensure each section has healthy roots and leaves.
4. Repot the divisions into fresh, well draining potting mix.
5. Water thoroughly and keep in indirect light.

Group plants with similar moisture needs together to create a localized humid microclimate.

Grows well with

Pothos — They share similar light and water requirements.
Ferns — Ferns appreciate the same high humidity environment.

Similar species

Anthurium — They are related members of the Araceae family with similar care needs.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Spathiphyllum
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of Colombia and Venezuela.
Conservation: This species is not currently threatened in its native habitat.

It grows naturally on the forest floor where it receives filtered light and high moisture.

Value to wildlife: indoor air purification
Pollinators: bees
Uses: houseplant, office plant, air purifier

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Light: 3/9
Moisture: 7/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Temperature: 8/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning brown?: This is often due to low humidity or using tap water with high mineral content.
How often should I water it?: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Where the name comes from

The name Spathiphyllum comes from the Greek words for spathe and leaf, referring to the leaf like bract. It is commonly called Peace Lily because the white spathe resembles a white flag of truce.

Good to know

It is one of the few houseplants that can bloom reliably in low light.
The plant will droop dramatically to tell you it needs water.
It was discovered in the late 19th century in Colombia.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.