Few houseplants are as iconic and popular as the peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.). These tropical houseplants yield amazing benefits like purifying the air, so there’s more to them than meets the eye. Peace lilies also have low-maintenance care requirements providing that you can accommodate their size. In this article, we’ll explain how big and fast peace lily plants grow.
How Big and Fast Do Peace Lily Plants Grow? – The Essentials
When grown indoors, peace lilies may reach between 2 and 4 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide. Some wild species can reach 6 feet tall. Peace lilies have a moderate growth rate, adding approximately 1 to 6 inches of new growth each year. These plants take between 3 and 5 years to reach their full size when grown under optimal environmental conditions.
About Peace Lily Plants
Peace Lily Family and Genus
Peace lilies belong to the Spathiphyllum genus, a group of approximately 47 species in the arum family (Araceae). Most peace lilies that are purchased as houseplants will be Spathiphyllum wallisii – a species sometimes known as white sails.
Origins and History of Peace Lily Plants
Peace lilies are native to tropical habitats in southeastern Asia and South America. In these habitats, peace lilies thrive in the humid, shady conditions of the jungle floor. They were first brought to Europe in the 1800s by the German botanist Gustav Wallis. They’re also prized in Feng Shui practices and carry a rich meaning and symbolism.
Botanical Characteristics of Peace Lily Plants
Peace lilies are evergreen perennials with glossy, sword-shaped leaves that usually grow up to 10 inches long. Peace lilies are famed for their large white or cream spathes surrounding a central spadix of tiny flowers. Like many arums, peace lilies are herbaceous plants that grow in clumps.
Peace Lily Growth Indoors vs Outdoors
When grown as houseplants, peace lilies usually won’t grow larger than 4 feet tall. However, wild peace lily plants can grow up to 6 feet tall in some areas. Peace lilies thrive as houseplants due to the stable warm conditions in our homes. However, peace lilies will go dormant during the winter.
Peace Lily Natural Growth Cycle
During their natural growth cycle, peace lilies are most active from spring until fall. Peace lilies typically bloom in spring, but some specimens may flower again in the fall. Peace lilies then go dormant in the winter before growing again in spring.
How Long Does It Take a Peace Lily to Reach Full Size?
Peace lilies grow moderately, experiencing between 1 and 6 inches of new growth yearly. In most cases, it takes between 3 and 5 years for a peace lily plant to reach its mature size. If peace lily plants don’t receive ideal growing conditions, the maturation process may take longer.
Factors Contributing to the Speed and Development of a Peace Lily Plant
Care and Maintenance
Giving peace lily plants the proper care and maintenance helps fuel their development. Peace lily plants don’t need much sunlight, but they do need warm temperatures and moderate humidity. These plants grow best in well-draining soils and need fairly consistent watering. Peace lily plants also benefit from small doses of fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Environmental Considerations
To help your peace lily plant develop as healthily as possible, it’s best to try and recreate its natural habitat. That means providing warm, consistent temperatures and moderate humidity. Peace lilies need temperatures ranging from 55 to 85ºF (13 to 30ºC).
Peace lilies also need relatively low light levels; indirect sunlight or partial shade works best. These conditions replicate the shady surroundings of the tropical jungle floor.
Common Reasons Why Your Peace Lily Plant’s Growth is Slow or Stunted
Overwatering
Although peace lilies like consistent watering, they will suffer in waterlogged soil. Overwatering causes severe problems like root rot, which causes brown, mushy, smelly roots. Drooping or yellowing leaves are common symptoms of overwatering. Use a well-draining soil medium and ensure the nursery pot has drainage holes.
Lack of Light
Although peace lily plants do best in indirect light or partial shade, they cannot tolerate full shade for very long. If your peace lily doesn’t at least get some indirect light, it could experience stunted or weak growth. Leggy growth and small, under-developed leaves are other symptoms of lack of light.
Soil Conditions
Poor soil conditions can also impair the development of your peace lily plant. Peace lilies need well-draining soils that can still retain some moisture and nutrients. If the soil doesn’t drain properly, it can become waterlogged, leading to overwatering problems.
Overfertilizing
While peace lilies benefit from some fertilizer, especially if you want them to bloom, too much fertilizer can cause problems. Most fertilizers contain chemicals and salts that can harm peace lilies if they aren’t diluted. These chemicals must also be flushed out of the soil occasionally to prevent harmful buildups.
Incorrect Temperatures
Peace lilies rarely suffer from being too hot, but they do not tolerate temperatures below 55ºF. Freezing temperatures can cause peace lily plants to go dormant prematurely. Extended periods of cold can halt growth altogether.
Diseases and Pests
Diseases and pests can impair the growth of your peace lily plant. Common peace lily diseases and pests include viral mosaic disease, root rot, mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips. Most pests drink the sap, which is your peace lily plant’s primary energy source.
How to Make Your Peace Lily Grow Faster
The Best Soil Types
Peace lilies need the right kind of soil to reach their full growth potential. These plants prefer well-draining soils that can still hold some water and nutrients. Peace lily plants also need slightly acidic soils, between 5.8 and 6.5 pH. An excellent basic medium is a 2:2:1 mix of houseplant compost, sand, and bark or perlite.
The Best Light Conditions
Peace lily plants don’t require lots of sunlight, but it’s still crucial for their development. Peace lilies prefer indirect light or partial shade. East or north-facing windows are ideal for peace lily plants because they provide plenty of afternoon shade.
The Most Suitable Pots and Containers
Peace lily plants aren’t very fussy about the type of pot they grow in, as long as the pot has a drainage hole. This helps prevent overwatering, which can stunt the plant’s growth. Terracotta pots may be too porous for peace lily plants, which means they could dry out too quickly. Use a decorative ceramic or stone pot to hide the peace lily’s nursery pot.
Ideal Temperature and Humidity
Peace lily plants require warm, stable temperatures and moderate humidity to truly thrive. Maintain temperatures between 55 and 85ºF (13 to 30ºC). Try and avoid letting the temperature fall below 55ºF. Maintain approximately 60% humidity around your peace lily plant, using humidifiers or pebble trays if necessary.
When and How to Fertilize
Giving peace lily plants a few doses of fertilizer throughout the season helps encourage flowering. That said, too much fertilizer can be detrimental. Feed peace lily plants a diluted dose of fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks.
When and How to Repot a Peace Lily
As your peace lily plant grows, it will need repotting to give it enough room to develop. Depending on how slowly your peace lily grows, it can be repotted every 2 to 3 years. Peace lilies like to be slightly root-bound, so only increase the pot size by 1 or 2 inches at a time. Always perform repotting in the spring at the start of the growing season (also a good time to prune or propagate peace lilies if you’re looking to expand your collection).
The peace lily contain compounds called insoluble calcium oxalates that can irritate tissue upon contact, so it’s prudent to wear protective gloves when handling these plants.
Peace Lily Growth FAQs:
Are Peace lily plants slow-growing?
Peace lily plants grow at a moderate rate of about 1 to 6 inches of new growth per year. Peace lilies usually take between 3 and 5 years to reach their mature size.
Are Peace lily plants easy to care for?
Peace lilies are relatively low-maintenance houseplants that are easy to care for. Make sure to give them warm temperatures, moderate humidity, and partial shade.
How do you know if your Peace lily is happy?
Healthy peace lilies will have glossy evergreen leaves that aren’t drooping or yellowing. Healthy peace lily plants should also flower.
Do Peace lily plants like big pots?
Peace lilies prefer to be slightly root-bound, so they don’t generally like big pots as they only grow at a moderate pace.
Do Peace lily plants like grow lights?
Peace lily plants grow perfectly well under grow lights as long as they don’t receive light all the time. Peace lilies like indirect light or partial shade.
Wrapping Up
Peace lilies are low-maintenance houseplants that grow at a reasonably relaxed pace, so they shouldn’t get out of hand. They usually grow between 2 and 4 feet tall and about 3 feet wide and produce approximately 1 to 6 inches of new growth yearly. Under optimal growing conditions, these plants will take 3 to 5 years to reach their size.
For more, see our in-depth guide on where to position Peace Lily Plants in the home for optimal care and Feng Shui benefits.
If you’re looking for your next peace lily plant to add to your collection, see our guide to the best plant shops delivering peace lilies nationwide.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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