Of all the flowering house plants, a peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is one of the easiest to care for. In fact, it tolerates average indoor conditions better than many house plants.

Blooms usually appear in early summer and last for many weeks. The pale green spathe turns white as it opens and surrounds the protruding spadix that is densely covered by its tiny, true flowers. When flowers start to fade, cut off the flower stalks as close to the base as possible.

Plants that fail to bloom usually aren’t getting enough sunlight. Move your plant to a brighter location, but keep it out of direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Got an older plant that refuses to bloom? If you haven’t divided it in several years, divide it in spring. The peace lily is one of the few plants that blooms better after it has been divided.

Dark-green, glossy leaves are strongly veined and arch away from the plant’s base, making this an attractive foliage plant when not in bloom. Keep its leaves dust-free by wiping them with a damp cloth. The leaves of a peace lily will quickly indicate any problems. Brown leaf tips are likely caused by overwatering. Water thoroughly, but don’t allow the soil to get soggy. Brown leaves could also be caused by direct sun. Move your plant to a shadier spot and be careful not to overwater it. If the leaves become shrivelled and dry, the humidity is too low. You can increase humidity by misting the plant, or placing it on a tray of wet pebbles.