Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) are some of the most recognizable houseplants around. Their dark foliage and classic white flowers (actually surrounded by a modified leaf that many mistake for the flower) fit into absolutely any garden or interior design.
On top of the design benefits, they are also remarkably easy to care for, needing a little sunlight and some additional water to thrive for years on end.
Related Reading: 7 Reasons Your Peace Lily Leaves Are Turning Yellow & How To Fix It
Thanks to their stunning looks and ease of care, it’s hard not to want more of these ideal houseplants.
Luckily, growing more Peace Lilies is an incredibly simple process. It also costs little to no money, thanks to the power of propagation.
Peace Lilies cannot be propagated via stem cuttings or seeds. Well, technically they can be propagated by seed, but the process would take several years and a massive amount of patience.
Instead, you can propagate Peace Lilies by division. You can turn an existing plant suitable for propagating into two or three plants in just one afternoon.
Follow these simple steps to double or triple your stock in less time than it takes to order a new plant online.
How To Propagate Peace Lilies By Division
Prepare The Soil
To grow healthy plants, you need good soil. For Peace Lilies planted in pots, that soil should be airy and very well-draining, like most houseplant soil. This is especially important for Peace Lilies left in low light environments, as the soil evaporates far slower than if the plant were in a brighter spot, leaving the roots sitting in water if the soil does not drain well enough.
Soil straight from the garden is not suitable for planting as it is typically too compacted and does not drain well enough for containers. It can also carry weeds or pests and diseases that hide in the soil, impacting the vulnerable new growth of your divisions. Even standard potting soil, typically suited to outdoor container planting, may not drain well enough for your indoor plants.
Preparing your own soil mix is the best way to ensure your Peace Lily has the right environment for growth.
I’ve used a mixture of two parts potting soil amended with one part coconut coir and one part perlite. The coir and perlite make the mixture lighter and improve drainage, preventing root rot. Coconut coir can also be replaced with peat moss if you already have some on hand.
Remove The Plant
Set the soil mixture aside to prepare for dividing. You’ll need to start by removing the plant from its existing pot.
Your chosen plant should be large enough to separate into multiple divisions (or at least to split in half) with enough roots on each section to maintain growth.
The best time to divide is when your plant shows signs it needs repotting, as that indicates it is outgrowing its current pot and is ready to be split. Here are five signs your peace lily needs repotting.
If it is in a plastic pot, squeeze the sides of the pot gently to release the soil from the sides. If the pot is not pliable, you can run a clean knife along the edge to loosen the plant. Turn it on its side and gently pull it out from the base, avoiding any damage to the leaves in the process.
Limiting watering a few days before you divide will make the removal process far simpler. It will also allow you to shake off the excess soil quicker to get a better look at the roots.
Identify Divisions
Now it’s time to decide where to split the plant, and how many sections to split it into. Remove some of the soil around the roots and leaves to get a closer look at each section.
Although they don’t form distinguishable clumps, you should be able to identify sections where you can evenly split the plant without damaging the stems. Each section should have some foliage attached to the surrounding roots.
If the plant is smaller, it’s best to split it in two to give the new divisions the best chance of survival. Larger plants can be split as many times as preferred, as long as each section has enough roots to promote new growth.
Divide
With your divisions identified, it’s time to separate each section. Smaller plants, especially when splitting only in half, should pull apart easily. Don’t worry too much about damaging the roots between the divisions – they will grow back. As long as the main roots of each section stay undamaged, your Peace Lily should bounce back.
Larger plants with more divisions may require a more heavy-duty solution. Holding each section, you can trim the roots between them with sharp scissors or shears to free each division. Ensure your shears are clean and disinfected to avoid spreading bacteria and potential disease to the new and vulnerable roots.
While the roots will grow back, it’s important to limit the damage as much as possible. This will give each new section the best start in their new pots. While you’re at it, remove any damaged leaves or flowers from the sections to direct energy toward new root growth.
Replant The Divisions
Gather as many pots as you’ll need for replanting. These new pots don’t need to be any bigger than the original pot as the smaller sections need far less space for growth. Planting in a pot too big also creates the risk of waterlogging the soil where the roots have not yet reached.
Fill the bottom third of the pots with your prepared potting mix. For smaller divisions, you may need to fill up to halfway. You can also hold your divisions inside the pot to measure the desired soil level and fill up to that point before planting.
Place the division on this layer of soil and gently fill around the roots with more potting mix. Fill the pot up to just below the soil line, ensuring the base of the plant meets up with this line. When filled, press down gently on the soil around the base to secure the plant in place and get rid of any air pockets.
After Care
Once planted, water each division thoroughly until water drains from the drainage holes at the bottom. Place the pots in a spot with moderate indirect light, preferably where the parent plant was placed to limit shock.
The leaves will likely wilt and some may turn yellow in the coming days or weeks after planting. This is a natural response to the root disturbance and change in conditions. Do not fuss over the plant or water excessively during this period – it should return to normal on its own.
Keep your plants in these pots until they begin to outgrow them, at which point they will be ready for repotting, or even further division.
You’ll have a thriving Peace Lily collection in no time.