Care guides › Indoor garden › Peace lily
Peace lily care in Melbourne
Spathiphyllum · Toxic to cats and dogs
Droops dramatically when thirsty, then bounces back. Here is how much light it wants, which windows suit it, and how often to water it through a Melbourne year.

- LightLow light to bright, out of direct sun
- WaterEvery 5 days in summerEvery 9 in winter. Keep the soil just moist: water when the surface feels dry.
- FeedEvery 4 weeks, Oct to MarLiquid feed at half strength. Nothing over winter.
- AirOrdinary room airNo misting needed.
Which window suits a peace lily
In Melbourne the sun sits to the north, so north windows are the brightest and south the softest. Where it does well, by window and distance from the glass:
-
North-facing window
2.5 h of sun in summer · 9 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood -
East-facing window
5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood -
South-facing window
1.5 h of sun in summer · 0 h in winterOn the sillGood1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood -
West-facing window
5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood
A Melbourne year with a peace lily
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water every | 5d | 5d | 5d | 9d | 9d | 9d | 9d | 9d | 9d | 5d | 5d | 5d |
| Feed | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Repot check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
If something looks wrong
Yellow lower leaves and wet soil
Too much water. Let the top of the soil dry before the next drink; in winter that is about every 9 days.
Pale or scorched patches
Direct sun through glass. Move it 1-2 m back from the window, or behind a sheer curtain.
No new growth for months
Normal in a dim spot, and in winter anywhere. It grows faster with more light, but it will not die without it.
Fine webbing or white fluff under the leaves
Spider mite or mealybug, most often as the weather warms. Wipe it off and check again in a week.
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