The benefits of companion planting include improved growth and flavor of basil and providing a natural insect repel system for your garden. Using basil as a companion plant allows it to attract beneficial insects via taste of basil flower nectar, while its strong scent acts to basil repels many common garden pest varieties.
Yes, basil in your garden is a powerful tool to insect repel. Basil alongside other aromatic plants can basil to keep aphids and other pests like the tomato hornworm away. Additionally, basil is famous for being one of the plants that repel mosquitoes, making it a great companion plant for patios.
Yes, you should keep cucumber and sage away from basil. Cucumber can attract mildew that might attack basil, while sage prefers much drier soil than a basil plant. Also, keep herbs like basil away from rue, as it can stunt the growth and flavor of basil.
Planting companion plants alongside lettuce offers several benefits. They can act as a natural barrier against aphids and other pests, provide partial shade for lettuce, and suppress weeds around your lettuce crop. Companion planting with lettuce ensures your lettuce grow well by improving soil moisture retention and nutrient availability. Choosing a good companion or great lettuce companion plants also allows you to grow other plants like beets and lettuce together efficiently, making your vegetable garden more productive.
Yes. Some bad companion plants for lettuce include cabbage, broccoli when overcrowded, and other large brassicas that compete for nutrients. Avoid planting lettuce near plants that attract pests like aphids and cabbage worms without protective measures. Overcrowding lettuce with aggressive plants can prevent lettuce seeds from germinating properly and reduce the flavor and growth of your lettuce crop.
Companion planting with lettuce can repel pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles. For example, chives and basil keep aphids away, while radishes can act as trap crops to divert pests from lettuce leaves. Leafy companions like spinach or beets also help by providing shade and physical protection. Proper planning ensures your lettuce grows without heavy pesticide use.
A carrot companion plant is any plant that grows well next to carrots and helps them grow best by improving soil conditions, repelling pests, or reducing competition for space. Companion planting with carrots matters because carrots are a popular vegetable with delicate roots that need loose soil, steady moisture, and protection from pests like carrot flies. Choosing the right carrot companion plants allows carrots to grow well together with other plants in the garden while improving overall plant health and harvest quality.
Yes, there are bad companion plants for carrots that can reduce yields or attract the same pests. Potatoes and carrots should not be planted together because they compete for nutrients and space. Cabbage plants and other brassicas attract pests like aphids that may also harm carrots. Fennel and some plants in the carrot family attract the same pests and can interfere with carrot growth. Understanding good and bad companion plants helps gardeners avoid planting combinations that don’t grow well together.
Carrots need space to grow, especially underground, to develop long, straight roots. When planting carrots together with companion plants, choose different plants that do not crowd the soil. Shallow-rooted plants and upright plants are ideal companions because carrots can take deeper soil space without competition. Proper spacing ensures carrots grow large and healthy while still benefiting from garden companion plants.
Known for their elegant white blooms and lush green foliage, peace lilies are among the most beloved indoor plants for both beginner and experienced gardeners. More than just a beautiful addition to your home, a peace lily plant also offers natural air-purifying benefits, helping to create a healthier and more serene living space. Whether you’re drawn to their graceful appearance or their low-maintenance nature, understanding the right care techniques is key to keeping your peace lilies thriving year-round. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential tips on watering, lighting, soil, and overall maintenance so you can enjoy the long-lasting beauty and vitality of your peace lily.
While most peace lilies share the same care requirements, there are several varieties that differ in size and leaf patterns:
Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa Supreme’ – A classic favorite among peace lily enthusiasts, this variety is prized for its large, glossy, dark green leaves and tall, elegant white spathes that can last for weeks. Reaching up to 4 feet in height, it makes a dramatic statement in corners, entryways, or large office spaces. Its upright growth habit and generous bloom size give it a bold yet graceful presence indoors.
Spathiphyllum ‘Domino’ – This striking variegated variety stands out for its deep green leaves streaked and speckled with creamy white markings, giving it a more decorative look compared to solid green types. ‘Domino’ grows to about 30 inches tall, making it manageable for most homes while still providing a lush, tropical feel. Even without flowers, its patterned foliage serves as a natural centerpiece for living rooms or bright hallways.
Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ – The largest peace lily available, ‘Sensation’ can grow up to 6 feet tall in ideal indoor conditions, with massive, ribbed leaves reaching up to 20 inches long. Its bold size makes it an excellent choice for filling empty corners or adding a tropical statement to open-plan living spaces. The lush, dense foliage creates a sense of greenery and tranquility, even when not in bloom.
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Peace lilies are rarely grown from seed because germination is slow and unpredictable, but if you try:
Peace lilies thrive in a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix that mimics their natural tropical forest floor environment, where roots grow in loose, organic matter. An ideal mix contains peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention, perlite or coarse sand for aeration, and compost or aged bark for nutrients. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally between 5.8 and 6.5, as this range allows for optimal nutrient absorption. Avoid using heavy, clay-based garden soil, which compacts easily and traps excess water, depriving roots of oxygen and encouraging root rot. For long-term potted growth, consider refreshing the top few inches of soil once or twice a year to maintain fertility.
Peace lilies prefer consistently moist soil but should never sit in waterlogged conditions. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes with this plant and can lead to root rot, yellowing leaves, and fungal growth. The most reliable way to know when to water is to press your finger into the top inch of soil—if it feels dry, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. Always empty saucers after watering to prevent stagnant water buildup. These plants are sensitive to chemicals like chlorine and fluoride, so using filtered, distilled, or rainwater is ideal. In cooler months, when growth slows, reduce watering frequency slightly but never let the root ball completely dry out.
Being tropical plants, peace lilies flourish in warm, stable indoor conditions with temperatures between 65 and 80°F (18–27°C). Exposure to cold drafts, open windows in winter, or sudden temperature drops can cause wilting and blackened leaf tips. High humidity is equally important—aim for 50–60% or more to keep leaves lush and glossy. If indoor air is dry, especially during heating season, boost humidity by misting the foliage regularly, placing the pot on a water-filled pebble tray, grouping plants together, or using a humidifier. Insufficient humidity can result in brown leaf edges, while excessively dry air may also reduce flowering.
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Peace lilies do best in bright, indirect light, such as near an east- or north-facing window, where they receive gentle morning or filtered daylight. In low-light conditions, they will still grow but may produce fewer blooms. Avoid placing them in direct midday or afternoon sunlight, which can scorch leaves, fade their deep green color, and cause yellowing. Rotate the plant every few weeks to ensure even light exposure and balanced growth. For windowless spaces, peace lilies can adapt to fluorescent lighting, making them a popular choice for offices and indoor work areas. If leaves start stretching or blooms become rare, it may be a sign they need more light.
Peace lilies thrive when they receive the right nutrients at the right time. Use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer with an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—such as a 20-20-20 formula. Always dilute the fertilizer to half the manufacturer’s recommended strength to avoid burning the roots or overstimulating the plant. Apply the fertilizer every six weeks during the active growing period in spring and summer, when the plant is producing new leaves and flowers. During fall and winter, the plant’s growth naturally slows, so discontinue fertilizing to prevent nutrient buildup and allow the plant to rest. For best results, water the plant lightly before fertilizing to help distribute nutrients evenly through the soil and reduce the risk of root damage.
Regular pruning not only keeps your peace lily looking neat but also promotes healthier growth. Remove any yellow, brown, or wilted leaves by cutting them off at the base of the stem—these leaves are no longer helping the plant and may attract pests or fungal problems. Similarly, clip away spent flower stalks after blooms fade to encourage the plant to focus energy on producing fresh flowers. Always use sterilized, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make clean cuts, reducing the risk of introducing disease. After pruning, wipe the leaves gently with a damp cloth to remove dust and keep the foliage shiny, which also improves the plant’s ability to photosynthesize.
Although mulching is not a necessity for indoor peace lilies, it can be a useful step to help with moisture retention and to give the pot a finished look. Apply a thin decorative layer—about half an inch—of materials like preserved sphagnum moss, fine bark chips, or coconut coir over the soil surface. This light mulch layer slows down evaporation, especially in dry indoor environments, and helps maintain more consistent soil moisture between waterings. It also prevents water from splashing soil onto the leaves when watering, which helps reduce the risk of fungal leaf spots. Avoid heavy mulching, as too thick a layer can trap excess moisture and create conditions for root rot.
Peace lilies generally need repotting every one to two years, or sooner if you notice roots poking out from the drainage holes, soil drying out too quickly, or the plant becoming rootbound. Select a pot that is only one to two inches larger in diameter than the current one; too large a container can hold excess water and lead to soggy soil. Use a fresh, high-quality potting mix that drains well but retains enough moisture to support steady growth. A mix containing peat moss, perlite, and compost is ideal. When repotting, gently loosen the roots and remove any dead or rotting portions before placing the plant into its new home. Water thoroughly after repotting to help the roots settle into the fresh soil.
Since peace lilies are tropical plants, they require protection from cold temperatures. For indoor plants, keep them in a stable, warm environment with temperatures between 65–80°F (18–27°C) during winter, away from cold drafts caused by open windows, exterior doors, or heating vents. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler months, allowing the top inch of soil to dry before the next watering, as the plant’s growth will slow and it will need less moisture. For peace lilies grown outdoors in tropical or subtropical regions, they can remain outside year-round, but if nighttime temperatures drop below 60°F (15°C), move the plant indoors or cover it with a light frost cloth. Always monitor for signs of stress such as drooping leaves, which may indicate that the plant is too cold or too dry.
Spider mites are tiny pests that can cause peace lily leaves to develop fine webbing, yellow or brown speckles, and an overall faded appearance. They thrive in dry indoor environments and feed on plant sap, which weakens the plant over time. To control them, increase humidity by misting the leaves regularly or placing a humidity tray nearby. Wiping the leaves with a damp cloth can help remove mites, while heavier infestations may require insecticidal soap or neem oil treatments.
Mealybugs are sap-feeding pests that appear as small, cotton-like clusters on the joints and undersides of peace lily leaves. They often leave behind a sticky honeydew residue that can attract mold. Warm, humid indoor conditions can help them multiply quickly. You can control mealybugs by dabbing them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or spraying the plant with neem oil weekly until the infestation is gone. It’s also important to isolate any infected plants to prevent the pests from spreading to others.
Scale insects are sap-sucking pests protected by hard, dome-shaped shells, which makes them difficult to remove. They typically attach to the stems and leaves, causing yellowing and weakening of the plant. You can manage a scale infestation by gently scraping the insects off with a soft brush or cloth, then applying horticultural oil or neem oil to suffocate them. Treatments should be repeated every 7–10 days until the pests are completely eliminated.
Root rot is one of the most common problems for peace lilies and usually happens when the plant is overwatered or grown in poorly draining soil. The first signs are wilting leaves despite moist soil, a foul smell, and mushy roots. To save the plant, remove the affected roots and repot it in fresh, well-draining soil. Always use a pot with drainage holes and water only when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Leaf spot disease causes brown or black spots with yellow halos to appear on peace lily leaves. Over time, the spots can merge, damaging large areas of the foliage. This disease is often spread by fungal or bacterial pathogens, usually through splashing water. To control it, remove infected leaves, avoid wetting the foliage when watering, and, if necessary, apply a copper-based fungicide to prevent further spread.
This fungal disease affects the base (crown) and roots of the plant, causing yellowing leaves, drooping growth, and a mushy crown with a foul odor. It is caused by the Cylindrocladium fungus, which thrives in wet, poorly drained soil. Severely infected plants are often beyond saving and should be discarded. Prevent the problem by using well-draining soil, watering carefully, and sterilizing tools and pots before reuse.
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If your peace lily plant isn’t producing flowers, it may not be getting enough light. Peace lilies prefer bright, indirect light rather than low light if you want blooms. Try moving the plant closer to a bright window but avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. Feeding during the growing season with a balanced houseplant fertilizer can also help keep your peace lily blooming.
To water your peace lily correctly, wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before watering. In warmer months, your watering schedule may be once a week, while in cooler months it’s less frequent. Always use a pot with drainage holes and empty the saucer after watering to prevent the plant from sitting in water, which can cause root rot.
Yes, peace lilies thrive indoors and are considered an easy plant to grow, even in low light. However, blooms may be fewer. For a beautiful peace lily with more flowers, place it where it gets bright light but avoid direct sunlight to keep the large leaves healthy.
