Growing Peace Lilies

Soil

Plant the lily in a high quality potting mix composed of peat moss, bark, and sand. This type of soil provides adequate drainage.

Container

Choose a planter with a hole for drainage. Keep in mind that terra cotta pots tend to dry faster than plastic ones. If you live in hot and arid conditions, a plastic pot may be better suited to keep the plant healthy and hydrated, especially if you keep it in a dry office. On the other hand, if you tend to overwater, terra cotta may be best.

Light

Place the lily in a bright filtered light or low light location in your home or office. While it can grow under fluorescent light only, it is recommended to place it 5 to 8 feet from a window if possible. Peace lilies tend to bloom more in low interior light conditions, so if you don't see many flowers, move them to a dark corner. This fools the plant into thinking it entered a dormant stage and it will result in flowering. Avoid putting them in direct sun, which could damage the leaves.

Temperature

Keep the plant at a temperature ranging from 68 to 85 degrees during the day with no more than a 10-degree drop at night. Peace lilies are sensitive to temperature changes, so avoid placing them near drafty windows or doors or near a heating vent. While the plant may tolerate colder temperatures for small amounts of time, do not let them sit at a temperature below 40 degrees for long. If necessary, keep a thermometer near the plant to gauge the temperature changes.

Water

Water the plant with room temperature filtered water or water that has been left out for at least 24 hours to evaporate the chlorine. Chemicals in tap water can damage the plant. Apply enough water to keep soil moist, but never waterlogged. Overwatering could lead to root rot, which could kill the plant or result in less flowering. Apply the water to the soil and do not wet the foliage or flowers.

Depending on your climate, watering every 7 to 10 days should be sufficient to let the soil dry out slightly. Avoid letting it dry too much or the plant will wilt and leaves will color and fall off.

Wipe down the leaves every few weeks to freshen them and remove potential pests or mist it with warm water. To add humidity, place the pot on top of a tray filled with water and pebbles. Be careful not to let the roots sit in the water, however.

Fertilizing

Apply fertilizer every 3 months as necessary. Use a diluted balanced NPK 20-20-20 fertilizer according to manufacturer's directions. Take care not to overfeed your peace lily, which could damage the roots and leaves. Water your plant well before and after you fertilize.

Prune

For newly acquired peace lilies, remove fresh flowering stems when they turn develop and turn green. This will promote more abundant flowers the following blossoming season. To revitalize your plant, remove the foliage and cut down the stalk.

Repot

Repot your peace lily when it fails to flower and the container seems cramped. Transplanting it to a slightly larger pot can stimulate the production of new flowers. Even if your peace lily blossoms fine, move it to a large pot with new soil every 2 or 3 years. This will keep your lily thriving through the years.

Growing Outdoors

While peace lilies do best indoors, they can also be grown outside with different requirements. Plant the lily in a pot or flowerbed with nutrient rich soil. Water about once a week to keep the soil moist. When the foliage droops, it's a sign to water. Hold off watering weekly if you receive rainfall. Avoid letting the roots get waterlogged.

In contrast to indoor peace lilies, outdoor peace lilies need regular fertilizer. They will not grow without additional nutrients, so apply a basic plant fertilizer according to manufacturer's directions. Outdoor peace lilies will produce flowers during the summer, and then enter a dormant period in colder temperatures. They may not bloom if damaged in cold weather.