Propagating Peace Lilies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are beautiful indoor plants that are known for their long-lasting white blooms and air-purifying qualities. If you’re looking to increase your collection of peace lilies, you can propagate them through division or by growing new plants from their runners or offsets.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to propagate peace lilies:

Division:

Choose the Right Time: The best time to propagate peace lilies is in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.
Gather Materials: You will need a potting mix, a pot for each division, a sharp knife, and gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the leaves.
Remove the Mother Plant: Gently remove the peace lily from its current pot and place it on a flat surface.
Divide the Plant: Use a sharp knife to divide the plant into smaller sections, making sure each section has healthy roots and at least one leaf shoot.
Re-pot Each Section: Fill the new pots with potting mix and gently place each section in its own pot. Make sure the roots are covered with soil but the top of the roots is still visible.
Water and Care: Water the newly potted sections thoroughly and place them in a location with bright, indirect light. Peace lilies prefer to be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged, so make sure to keep the soil moist but not soaking wet.

Offsets:

Locate the Offsets: Look for small plantlets growing from the base of the mother plant. These offsets will have their own roots and can be separated from the mother plant and potted individually.
Separate the Offsets: Use a sharp knife to carefully separate the offsets from the mother plant, being mindful not to damage the roots of either the mother plant or the offsets.
Pot the Offsets: Fill a pot with potting mix and gently place the offset in the pot, making sure the roots are covered with soil.
Water and Care: Water the newly potted offset thoroughly and place it in a location with bright, indirect light. Peace lilies prefer to be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged, so make sure to keep the soil moist but not soaking wet.

Note: When propagating peace lilies, it’s important to avoid over-fertilizing as they are sensitive to fertilizer and can suffer from root burn if they are over-fertilized. Over-watering can also lead to root rot, so be careful not to water too frequently.

In conclusion, propagating peace lilies is a simple process that can be done through division or by growing new plants from their runners or offsets. With the right timing, materials, and care, you can increase your collection of peace lilies and enjoy their beauty and air-purifying benefits for years to come.