Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are popular houseplants valued for their elegant foliage and air-purifying qualities. They are tropical plants native to Central and South America, where they bloom readily in shaded, humid conditions. When grown indoors, peace lilies can rebloom multiple times, but this requires mimicking the specific environmental triggers of their natural habitat. Consistent flowering depends on providing the right balance of light, nutrients, and care to encourage the plant’s reproductive cycle.
Understanding the Peace Lily Flower
The recognizable white structure is technically not a flower, but a modified leaf known as a spathe. This spathe functions as a protective sheath, gradually turning the pure white that gives the plant its name. The true flowers are minute and densely clustered along the central spike called the spadix.
Encouraging a peace lily to rebloom is the initiation of a new spathe and spadix structure. Once the spathe has fully opened, it can last for a month or more before it begins to change color, often reverting to a green hue or turning brown. This color change signals the end of the reproductive cycle, and it is time to prepare the plant for the next round of blooms.
Key Environmental Triggers for Reblooming
The most important factor in promoting a rebloom is light, as the plant needs sufficient energy reserves to produce the spathes. While peace lilies tolerate low-light conditions, they rarely bloom in them, instead requiring bright, indirect light to stimulate flower production. An ideal location is a few feet away from a south or west-facing window, or near an east-facing window, where the light is filtered.
Fertilization plays a significant role in encouraging the plant to shift its energy toward flowering rather than just foliage growth. During the active growing season (spring through fall), the plant benefits from a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. For bloom initiation, it is helpful to use a formula higher in phosphorus, which supports flower formation.
Applying fertilizer at a diluted strength, such as half or quarter the recommended dosage, once a month prevents the roots from being scorched. A crucial trigger involves manipulating the plant’s moisture level to simulate its natural wet-dry cycle. Allowing the top inch or two of the potting mix to dry out slightly between thorough waterings signals that conditions are favorable for reproduction.
Peace lilies thrive in warm, stable conditions, with daytime temperatures ideally ranging between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They benefit greatly from consistent humidity levels above 50 percent, which can be maintained by placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water. Avoiding drafts from air conditioning or heating vents is important, as temperature fluctuations can stress the plant and inhibit blooming.
Post-Bloom Care and Pruning
Once a peace lily’s spathe begins to turn green, brown, or wilted, the bloom is spent. The flower stalk, known as the peduncle, should be removed through deadheading. This redirects the plant’s energy toward new growth and future flower development.
To prune correctly, follow the entire flower stalk down to the base of the plant, near the soil line. Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors or snips to make the cut as close to the base as possible without damaging surrounding leaves. Removing the entire peduncle is necessary, as the plant will not produce a new flower from the same stalk.
Pruning off yellowed or brown leaves should also be done regularly, cutting the leaf stalk back to the soil. This maintenance keeps the plant tidy and ensures its resources are focused on healthy growth. During the winter months, when growth naturally slows, significantly reduce watering frequency and suspend all fertilization to allow the plant a resting period.