Question
i was given a peace lilly plant from a funeral my husband grandmother, i'm not really a green thumb how do i take care of it, how often should i water the plant, do it need direct sunlight.

Answer
Renee,

When it comes to houseplants, the number of questions I receive about peace lilies (Spathiphyllim) tops the list. Peace lilies are popular plants to give as a memorial and often have sentimental value, which is why so many gardeners are eager to learn the specifics about their care.

The good news is that these plants are very easy to maintain. Here are a few tips to keep your peace lily happy and healthy.

Peace lilies are a tropical plant and prefer a warm environment ?don抰 the let room temperatures fall below 40 degrees F or the plant may not survive. Daytime temperatures between 68 ?85 degrees F and night temperatures around 58 ?75 degrees F are ideal. Also, be sure and keep your plant out of cold drafts.

The plant should be placed in a location with bright light. Direct sun may burn the leaves.

When it comes to water, the soil should be moist but never soggy. Allow the soil to dry well between watering, but don抰 wait until the leaves wilt because this may cause them to turn yellow. It is also advisable that the water be at room temperature to prevent shock to the roots.

A telltale sign of over fertilizing is brown leaves. Feed your peace lily every 1 ?2 months during the growing season. Use an all purpose liquid fertilizer that has been diluted to half strength.

Repot your peace lily every 2 ?3 years. Spring is the best time to do this. Use a quality commercial soil blend to ensure good drainage.

If the plant is reluctant to flower, try reducing the light to encourage blooms.

One last tip is clean the leaves regularly with a damp cloth to help the plant breathe. Wipe both the upper and lower sides of the leaves to remove dust and pests such as spider mites, mealy bugs and scale. Good luck.

Darlene