A Detailed Guide to Peace Lily Planting Methods and Key Techniques

Spathiphyllum kochii Engl. & K.Krause (peace lily / white sail plant), a perennial herb of the Araceae family. The plant grows 30 cm-40 cm tall, with no stem or a short small stem; the leaves are oblong or nearly lanceolate, with a distinct midrib and petiole, dark green. It flowers in spring and summer; the spathe is large and conspicuous, rising above the leaves, white or slightly green, and the spadix is creamy yellow.

Peace Lily Planting Methods 

The peace lily is fairly shade-tolerant; as long as there is about 60% scattered light, its growth needs are met, so it can be grown year-round indoors in a spot with bright, scattered light. In summer, 60%-70% of sunlight can be shaded out; direct strong light should be avoided, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and, in severe cases, sunscald will occur. For greenhouse cultivation in northern winters, no shading or only slight shading is needed. If the light is too dim for a long time, it will be difficult for the plant to bloom. 

The peace lily is a heat-loving species and should be grown in a high-temperature greenhouse. In winter, the nighttime minimum temperature should be 14-16°C, and the daytime temperature should be around 25°C. Prolonged low temperatures easily cause leaf drop or scorched-yellow leaves. During the growing period, the potting soil should be kept moist at all times, but overwatering should be avoided; if the potting soil stays wet for a long time, it easily causes root rot and the plant to wither and turn yellow.

In summer and dry seasons, water should often be sprayed onto the leaf surfaces with a fine-nozzle sprayer, and water should also be sprinkled on the ground around the plant to keep the air humid, which is very beneficial to its growth and development. When the climate is dry and air humidity is low, new leaves will become smaller and yellow, and in severe cases will wither, turn yellow and drop. In winter, watering should be controlled, and the potting soil should be kept slightly moist. 

For potted peace lilies, the soil should be loose and well drained and aerated; heavy clay soil must not be used. Generally, a substrate can be made by mixing leaf mold and peat soil with a small amount of perlite; when planting, add a small amount of organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer. Because it grows quickly and has a relatively high fertilizer requirement, a liquid fertilizer must be applied once every 1-2 weeks during the growing season; at the same time, provide sufficient water and keep the potting soil moist at all times. During high-temperature periods, water should also be sprayed on the leaves and the ground to raise air humidity. If the surrounding environment is too dry, new leaves will become smaller and yellow, and in severe cases will wither, turn yellow and drop.

In late autumn and winter, the amount of watering should be reduced, and it is enough to keep the potting soil slightly moist. It requires semi-shade or scattered light conditions, and during the growing season it must be shaded at 60%-70%. If the light is too strong, the leaves are easily scorched and burned, the leaf color becomes dull, and it loses its luster; if the light is too dim for a long time, the plant grows weakly and does not bloom easily. The peace lily is a heat-loving species; prolonged low temperatures and dampness easily cause root rot and yellowing of the aboveground parts, so in winter attention should be paid to cold protection and heat preservation while keeping the potting soil moist.