How to Repot a Peace Lily
Repot a Peace Lily every 2 to 3 years into a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Use a well-draining houseplant mix with extra perlite. Spring through early summer is the best window, when the plant is in active growth.
How to Know It's Time to Repot
Peace Lilies form dense clumps of underground stems and fill a pot steadily over a couple of years. The plant gives you four clear signals when it's outgrown its home.
-
1Roots circle the bottom of the pot or push out through the drainage holes.
-
2The plant has roughly doubled in size since you last potted it up.
-
3Soil dries out within a day or two of a thorough watering, and the plant droops more often than it used to.
-
4Fewer white flower spathes appear than in previous years, even with steady light.
One sign on its own is not enough to act on, but two or more together means it's time. Most Peace Lilies need a fresh pot every 2 to 3 years, with mature plants stretching to every 3 to 4.
The Best Time of Year to Repot
Peace Lilies recover fastest from repotting when they're in active growth, which kicks in once daytime light gets long and strong. Spring through early summer is the sweet spot.
The roots heal quickly in warm, well-lit conditions, and there's plenty of growing season left for the plant to settle in and start blooming again. Use the map below to find your window.
How to Choose a Pot and Soil Mix
Pot Size
Move up to a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Peace Lilies prefer a snug fit and actually bloom more reliably when slightly crowded, so resist the urge to jump several sizes up.
Pot Material
Plastic and glazed ceramic are the best fit for Peace Lilies. Both hold moisture long enough to keep the leaves from drooping between waterings.
Terracotta dries too fast for this thirsty plant, especially in heated indoor air. Whichever material you pick, make sure the pot has drainage holes. Peace Lily roots rot fast in standing water even though the plant loves consistent moisture.
Soil Mix
Mix two parts standard potting soil with one part perlite for the well-draining, moisture-retentive blend Peace Lilies prefer. The perlite gives the roots air pockets and prevents the mix from packing down around the underground stems.
Skip moisture-control formulas and dense peat-heavy mixes. Both hold too much water for these roots and lead to root rot.
How to Repot a Peace Lily, Step by Step
-
1Water the day before. Give the plant a thorough drink the day before repotting. Moist soil holds the dense clump together when you slide it out and keeps the fine roots from tearing as you work.
-
2Pick the new pot. Choose a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot, with drainage holes. Layer an inch of fresh mix in the bottom so the crown will sit at the same height it did before.
-
3Slide the plant out. Tip the pot onto its side and gently work the root ball loose. Hold the clump by the base of the leaves, not by individual leaf stems. If the plant is stuck, run a butter knife around the inside edge of the pot to release it.
-
4Decide whether to divide. If the clump has gotten very dense, this is the best time to divide it. Use a clean knife to slice the root mass into two or three sections, each with several leaf rosettes and its own share of roots and underground stems.
-
5Set it in the new pot. Center the plant or division at the same depth it was growing before, with the crown right at the soil line. Fill in around the sides with fresh mix, pressing gently as you go to keep the leaves upright.
-
6Water and place in bright indirect light. Water slowly until you see it run out the drainage holes. Set the plant somewhere bright but out of harsh direct sun, which scorches the broad leaves. Hold off on fertilizer for 4 to 6 weeks while the roots heal.
What to Expect After Repotting
Week 1
A dramatic droop is normal for Peace Lilies right after a repot, even when the soil is plenty moist. The leaves usually firm back up within a day or two.
Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy, give the plant bright indirect light, and skip fertilizer for now. Resist the urge to move the pot around the house while it's recovering.
Weeks 2 to 4
A fresh leaf unfurling at the center of the plant is the clearest signal that the roots have settled in and the plant is ready for normal care.
Ease back into your regular watering rhythm. Start half-strength liquid fertilizer once new growth is clearly underway, and build up to full strength over the next two or three feedings.
Got More Questions?
About This Article
