Profile
Native to the tropical forest floors of Central and South America, the Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum, in the same Araceae family as Pothos and Monstera) naturally grows in the shade of the forest canopy — which explains its remarkable tolerance for low-light rooms. Its signature white "flower" isn't actually a petal but a bract (spathe) wrapped around a flower spike (spadix), a structure typical of this plant family.
Light & watering
- Light: tolerates low light well, blooms more with a bit more brightness — never direct sun, which scorches the leaves
- Watering: among the thirstiest common houseplants — keep the soil consistently lightly moist, without letting water sit stagnant
- Humidity: enjoys humid air, sensitive to dry indoor air (brown leaf tips)
Care
- Stable room temperature, between 64–80°F (18–27°C), away from cold drafts
- Drooping leaves are a reliable watering cue — the plant perks back up within hours
- Regular leaf cleaning keeps them glossy and helps photosynthesis
- Repot every 1–2 years, in spring, once roots fill the pot
Common problems
- Brown leaf tips: dry air, hard tap water, or over-fertilizing
- Yellow leaves: usually overwatering or too much direct sun
- No blooms: not enough light — move it closer to a window without direct sun exposure