Propagate peace lily by dividing the crowns, so each piece has leaves and its own roots.
Divide the crowns, and keep roots on each piece
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring, when you are already sliding the plant out of its pot | Do not split a plant that is collapsing from rot or cold |
| Piece | A crown with several leaves and a wad of firm roots | Do not pull off a single leaf and hope it roots |
| Pot | A small pot with a hole, sized to that root mass | Do not drop a small division into a wide tub of wet mix |
| Aftercare | Bright shade; keep the mix lightly moist until new growth shows | Do not fertilize for several weeks |
Peace lily grows as a clump of crowns on a short rhizome. The reliable way to make more plants is to separate those crowns, each with leaves and roots still attached. [1] Division is the method this plant is built for. A crowded pot is the usual moment to do it. [2]
- Water the day before. Tip the pot and ease the root ball out. Shake or tease off enough mix to see where the crowns sit.
- Find natural clumps — each is a tuft of leaves with its own roots. Pull them apart by hand where they give. Where the rhizome is fused, cut between crowns with a clean knife.
- Keep two or three solid pieces rather than six weak ones. Each piece needs several leaves and a firm root mass.
- Pot each division in fresh mix, in a small pot with a hole, at the old soil line. Water once, empty the saucer, and set it in bright shade. [3]
- Skip fertilizer until you see new growth. A week of flopped leaves is common. If a crown is mushy, discard it and keep only the firm pieces. [4]
Once a division holds, keep it as a houseplant on How to Grow Peace Lily. If you only needed fresh mix and a slightly larger pot, see How to Repot Peace Lily.
When do I take a division?
In spring, when the pot is crowded and you can see several crowns. Do not split a plant that is already collapsing.
How many pieces should I make?
Two or three solid plants from one mature clump. Tiny crowns with almost no roots sit wet and rot.
A leaf in water will not make a new plant
The stalks you see are leaf stems, not vine stems with nodes. A detached leaf has no crown and no way to build a new plant, in water or in mix. If you want another peace lily, divide a crown that already has roots.
- Do not cut a healthy leaf and stand it in a jar. It may last a while, then rot.
- Do not bury a leafless scrap of rhizome and wait on seed. Shop plants are divided, not sown.
- If you already have a leaf in water, compost it and split the mother plant instead.
Can I root a leaf in water?
No. A leaf has no crown. Divide a section that already has leaves and roots.
Take the next crowded clump in spring, split the crowns so each piece has roots, and pot them snug in fresh mix.
FAQ
Can I grow peace lily from seed?
Home gardeners almost never do. Split a crowded clump. Seed is not the method for this houseplant.
Will the new plant bloom this year?
A solid division can send up spathes once it is growing again. A tiny piece will spend the first season making roots and leaves.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Old Farmer's Almanac -
https://www.almanac.com/plant/peace-lilies - [2] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/spathiphyllum/ - [3] Clemson Cooperative Extension -
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/peace-lily/ - [4] SDSU Extension -
https://extension.sdstate.edu/peace-lily-houseplant-how
This note is part of Peace Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors