How to Propagate and Care for a Peace Lily
Manage your peace lily's size while creating new plants. This guide covers the straightforward process of division for healthy, independent new starts.
The peace lily, or Spathiphyllum, is a common houseplant known for its white blooms and dark, glossy leaves. Its resilience makes it a favorite for many indoor gardeners. As these plants mature, they can become large and overcrowded in their pots. Propagation offers a way to manage the plant’s size while creating new plants to expand your collection or share with others.
When to Propagate a Peace Lily
The best time to propagate a peace lily is during its active growing season in spring and early summer. This period of growth provides the best conditions for the plant to recover and establish a new root system quickly. Attempting propagation during the dormant fall and winter months can be less successful because the plant’s metabolic activity has slowed.
A peace lily is ready for propagation when it becomes root-bound, meaning its roots have filled the entire pot. You may also notice multiple distinct “crowns,” which are individual clusters of leaves and stems, emerging from the soil. These separate crowns indicate the plant has developed into a large, divisible clump. Waiting until the plant is at least two years old is recommended to ensure it is mature enough to handle the division process.
How to Propagate a Peace Lily by Division
Begin by gathering your supplies: a clean knife or pruners, new pots that are slightly larger than the divisions you plan to make, and a fresh, well-draining potting mix. Water the mother plant thoroughly about a day before you divide it. This hydrates the roots, making them more pliable and reducing the risk of transplant shock.
Carefully remove the entire plant from its current pot. You may need to squeeze the sides of a plastic container or run a knife around the inner edge of a rigid pot to loosen the root ball. Once removed, shake off the excess soil to get a clear view of the root system and the separate crowns, which will help you identify the natural division points.
Identify the sections you wish to separate, ensuring each one has a healthy cluster of leaves and its own substantial root system. Using your clean knife, cut through the root ball to separate the crowns. If the sections are loose enough, you may be able to gently pull them apart by hand. Peace lilies can only be propagated through this method of division; they will not grow from leaf or stem cuttings.
Caring for a Newly Propagated Peace Lily
Pot each new division into its own container using fresh potting mix. Choose a pot that is only a few centimeters wider than the new root ball to prevent the soil from staying overly wet, which can lead to root rot. Fill in around the roots with the new soil, tap the pot to remove air pockets, and water each new plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom.
Place the newly potted peace lilies in a location that receives bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. It is common for the new divisions to wilt or droop in the days following propagation. This is a normal symptom of transplant shock as the plant adjusts to its new environment.
To help your new plants recover, maintain a humid environment by misting the leaves regularly or placing the pots on a tray of damp gravel. Consistent moisture is important, but avoid overwatering. Wait to fertilize until you see signs of new growth, which takes about a month, as this indicates the plant has established its root system.