The Most Common Reason A Peace Lily Isn't Growing White Flowers (And What To Do)

There are around 60 species of peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.), and many peace lily varieties become a fan-favorite houseplant for the gardening enthusiast looking for a sleek, timeless flower. One of the best parts of this plant, aside from its visual appeal, is how low-maintenance it is. While this plant has specific needs, once you nail down the basics, it's also easy to care for, making it a great choice for the more adventurous beginner. However, even with the time to master how much water and light this flower needs for gorgeous growth, you may find yourself left with a peace lily with no flowers.

There are many reasons that your peace lily may not have bloomed. It could be due to incorrect care, or the lack of flowers could be a tell-tale sign your peace lily is in trouble. However, before moving your peace lily to a new area or changing up your routine, there's another reason that may be behind your flower's lack thereof: age. If you've had your peace lily for a year or two, then it may seem well beyond time for its first blooms. However, while peace lilies can bloom as early as one year, it may also take up to three years to enjoy their flowers. As a result, if you're still waiting on those showy flowers, you may want to learn how old your peace lily is. 

Even if you bought your peace lily in bloom, age could still be the reason it hasn't flowered again. This is because commercial peace lilies are carefully cultivated and often treated, which can force them to flower early despite their age. As a result, you may still need to wait one to three years for peace lilies to mature and bloom.

While peace lilies may not have annual rings like a tree for telling time, there are a few signs that can tell you approximately how old your peace lily is. Peace lilies go through five stages during their lifespan, beginning with seedlings and ending with times of aging and decline. In between these stages sit two critical periods: the juvenile stage and the mature stage. The juvenile stage is dedicated to the plant's leaves, and you might notice your plant growing larger, although with no flowers. To determine if your plant is in this stage, pay attention to its level of growth. 

As a peace lily matures, growth slows down. In place of new leaves unfurling on the regular, you can instead look forward to the blooms you've been anticipating. While size is one of the best ways to determine your peace lily's age, the amount of water it needs can also be a helpful indicator, as juvenile peace lilies require more water due to frequent growth compared to their mature counterparts, whose routine has developed more consistency.