Which is easier to care for, Peace Lily or Anthurium?

Peace Lily: You want a low-maintenance flowering plant that tolerates lower light. Anthurium: You have a bright windowsill and want near-continuous flowers

Plant Comparison

Peace Lily vs Anthurium

The quick way to tell them apart: an Anthurium's "flower" is a flat, shiny, heart-shaped spathe (usually red, pink or white) with a spike sticking out in front, and its leaves are heart-shaped. A Peace Lily's spathe is white, softer and hood-like, curling up around the spike, and its leaves are long and lance-shaped, rising straight from the soil. Both are mildly toxic to pets. Beyond looks, they have very different care needs. Peace Lily is one of the easiest flowering plants to keep; Anthurium is more demanding but rewards you with near-continuous blooms.

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Peace Lily is one of the best air-purifying houseplants and tolerates low light. It wilts dramatically when thirsty but is prone to root rot, brown tips, and Botrytis in cool conditions.

Anthurium

Anthurium andraeanum

Anthurium produces waxy, heart-shaped spathes and thrives in bright indirect light. It is sensitive to overwatering, bacterial blight, and calcium deficiency.

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryPeace LilyAnthurium

💡 Light needs★Low to medium indirect — very adaptableBright indirect — needs 6+ hours for flowers

💧 Watering★Every 7–10 days; wilts visibly when thirstyEvery 5–7 days; sensitive to overwatering

💦 Humidity★40–60% — tolerates average homes60–80% — needs high humidity

🌸 FlowersWhite spathes; blooms 1–2× per year★Coloured spathes; near-continuous with good light

🌸 Flower duration2–4 weeks per bloom★8–12 weeks per bloom

🎯 Difficulty★Beginner — very forgivingIntermediate — sensitive to conditions

🌡️ Temperature18–30°C18–28°C — cold-sensitive

🐛 Pest riskMealybugs, scale, spider mitesSpider mites, mealybugs, thrips

☠️ ToxicityToxic to pets and humansToxic to pets and humans

🪴 SizeMedium — 40–60 cm tallCompact to medium — 30–50 cm

Choose Peace Lily if…

✓You want a low-maintenance flowering plant that tolerates lower light
✓You're a beginner — Peace Lily tells you when it needs water by wilting
✓Your home has average humidity (40–55%)
✓You want something that purifies the air and looks elegant with minimal effort

Peace Lily Problem Guide →

Choose Anthurium if…

✓You have a bright windowsill and want near-continuous flowers
✓You want coloured blooms — red, pink, and white varieties available
✓You can maintain higher humidity (60%+) with a humidifier
✓You enjoy more attentive plant care and watching blooms develop

Anthurium Problem Guide →

What They Have in Common

•Both produce striking spathe-type flowers
•Both are toxic to pets and should be kept out of reach
•Both prefer indirect light and well-draining substrate
•Both are popular air-purifying plants

The Verdict

Peace Lily is the better choice for most homes — easier to care for, more tolerant of lower light, and very forgiving of irregular watering. Choose Anthurium if you have a bright spot, a humidifier, and want flowers that last months at a time.

🕊️ Peace Lily

🩺 Problem Guide →🌿 Care Guide →

🌺 Anthurium

🩺 Problem Guide →🌿 Care Guide →