I remember when I brought home my first peace lily. Its glossy green leaves and elegant white blooms had instantly caught my eye, and I thought it would be a beautiful addition to my living room. But after a few months of caring for it, the blooms started to fade, and to my dismay, they didn’t come back. I was left with a healthy-looking plant, but no flowers—exactly what had made me fall in love with it in the first place.
At first, I thought I’d done something wrong. Maybe I wasn’t a good plant parent after all? But as I soon discovered, peace lilies need a little extra care and attention to encourage them to bloom. With some patience, research, and a few adjustments to my routine, I managed to coax those gorgeous white flowers back, and I’ve kept my peace lily blooming ever since.
If you’re in the same boat, here are seven ways I’ve learned to get your peace lily to bloom—trust me, with a little effort, you’ll see those stunning white flowers again.
1. Bright, Indirect Light: The Right Balance
One of the first things I realised was that I wasn’t giving my peace lily enough light. I’d placed it in a dark corner, thinking it would be fine since peace lilies are known for tolerating low light. And while they do survive in dimmer conditions, they won’t bloom without enough light.
I moved mine closer to a window where it could receive bright, indirect light. Within a few weeks, I noticed a change—not in the flowers yet, but in the leaves. They became shinier and more vibrant. It felt like the plant was waking up. So, if your peace lily isn’t blooming, consider its location. Find a spot where it can enjoy bright, filtered sunlight, but avoid direct rays, which can scorch the leaves.
2. Proper Watering: Consistency is Key
Peace lilies are sensitive to overwatering, and I learned that the hard way. At first, I was either drowning the poor thing or letting it dry out completely. It was a stressful guessing game, and my peace lily didn’t appreciate it one bit.
After doing some research, I adjusted my watering routine. Now, I wait until the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch before giving it a good drink. Peace lilies like consistently moist soil, but not soggy. If your peace lily is too dry or too waterlogged, it won’t have the energy to bloom. Consistency is key here, and once I found the right balance, my peace lily began to thrive.
3. Humidity: A Little Extra Love in the Air
One thing that surprised me was how much peace lilies love humidity. After all, they’re tropical plants, so it makes sense. I live in a dry area, and I hadn’t considered that the dry indoor air might be affecting my plant’s ability to bloom.
I started misting the leaves regularly and even placed a small humidifier nearby. Another trick that worked wonders was placing my peace lily on a tray of pebbles filled with water. As the water evaporated, it increased the humidity around the plant. It wasn’t long before I saw new buds forming, and I couldn’t have been more excited. If your peace lily isn’t blooming, it might just need a bit more moisture in the air.
4. Fertilising: Feed for Flowers
I confess, I’d been neglecting to fertilise my peace lily at first. I assumed that since it looked healthy, it didn’t need any extra nutrients. But as I discovered, if you want your peace lily to bloom, it needs a little help in the form of plant food.
I started using a balanced houseplant fertiliser once a month during the growing season (spring and summer), being careful not to overdo it. Too much fertiliser can actually harm the plant, but a light feeding gave my peace lily the nutrients it needed to start flowering again. The first time I saw a new bloom after feeding it, I felt like I’d cracked the code!
5. Repotting: Give It Space to Grow
One mistake I made early on was leaving my peace lily in the same pot for too long. Like any plant, peace lilies can become root-bound if they outgrow their container. When this happens, they focus their energy on surviving rather than blooming.
I carefully repotted mine into a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining soil, and within a few weeks, I saw new growth and even the beginning of a flower. If your peace lily hasn’t bloomed in a while, check the roots—if they’re circling the inside of the pot, it’s time to give your plant some more space.
6. Temperature: A Warm, Cozy Environment
Peace lilies are a bit picky about temperature. I hadn’t realised it at first, but the spot where I’d placed my plant was getting drafts from the window. Peace lilies prefer temperatures between 18-26°C (65-80°F) and don’t do well with cold drafts or sudden temperature changes.
Once I moved my plant to a more stable environment—away from drafts and cold windows—I noticed it looked happier almost immediately. Peace lilies are sensitive souls; they need a warm, cozy space to thrive. If your home is on the cooler side, try moving your peace lily to a warmer room or away from any drafty spots.
7. Patience: The Most Important Secret
The last secret, and perhaps the hardest one, is patience. I remember staring at my peace lily for weeks, wondering why it wasn’t blooming despite all my efforts. But as with many things in life, peace lilies bloom on their own schedule.
Sometimes, even when you’re doing everything right, it just takes time. After months of care and attention, my peace lily finally rewarded me with a burst of beautiful white flowers. And when those blooms appeared, it was worth every moment of waiting. So, if you’ve adjusted the light, the water, the humidity, and everything else, but your peace lily still isn’t blooming—just give it time. It will happen when the plant is ready.
The Emotional Reward: A Blooming Peace Lily
There’s something truly rewarding about coaxing a peace lily back into bloom. For me, it felt like a personal victory—proof that with a little care, attention, and yes, patience, I could bring out the best in my plant. Every time I see those delicate white blooms, it’s a reminder that nature has its own rhythm and that nurturing a plant is a beautiful, slow journey.
If your peace lily isn’t blooming yet, don’t lose heart. Try these seven tips, and with a bit of time, you’ll be rewarded with those stunning white flowers that make peace lilies such a joy to have in your home. There’s nothing quite like seeing that first bloom after months of waiting—it’s a little moment of magic, and trust me, it’s worth the effort.