Peace Lily Vs Anthurium: Which One Is Best For You?

In this guide, we’ll compare the peace lily vs anthurium to see which plant suits you.

Both plants are commonly kept as houseplants and produce beautiful flowers – anthurium flowers are usually red but can be several other colors, while peace lilies always produce white flowers. This is only the beginning of the comparison, though.

I’ve kept both of these houseplants for years, so I’ll also share some personal insight into the two to give you a better idea of which is ‘best.’

Let’s first look at a quick overview of both plants so we’re all on the same page.

Peace Lily Overview

Peace lilies, or Spathiphyllum, are popular houseplants known for their beautiful and elegant white blooms. These plants are relatively low-maintenance, making them an excellent option for sprucing indoor space.

They also have the added benefit of being excellent air purifiers, making your environment healthier.

When it comes to caring for your peace lily, it’s essential to find the right balance of light and water.

A peace lily with a flower blooming at the top
One of my peace lilies, also in bloom

These plants prefer indirect light, as direct sunlight can cause their leaves to turn yellow and wilt. You should keep the soil consistently moist, but be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.

Anthurium Overview

Anthuriums are tropical plants known for their brightly colored, waxy flowers and prominent central spadix.

These plants can be a striking addition to your indoor garden as they come in various colors, including red, pink, white, and purple. Native to Central and South America, they thrive in warm and humid conditions.

An anthurium plant with a bright red flower
One of my anthuriums currently in bloom.

To care for your anthurium, choose a well-draining potting mix; they prefer a slightly moist but not soggy growing environment. Overwatering will cause the leaves to turn yellow and droop, eventually leading to root rot.

Avoid intense direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.

Differences

Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between the peace lily vs anthurium.

Flower Color

In terms of flower color, anthuriums have a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and purple.

Several red anthurium flowers
Anthurium flowers are usually red but can be many other colors, depending on the variety.

On the other hand, peace lilies typically have white flowers, which is more subtle than the vibrant colors of anthuriums.

Size

When it comes to size and growing habits, both plants are very different.

Anthuriums typically reach 2 to 3 feet in height with a similar spread and are often found climbing in their natural habitats.

Peace lilies are not natural climbers and reach a larger overall size of 6 feet in height and up to 5 feet in spread.

Propagation Method

The propagation methods for these two plants are quite different.

Peace lilies are propagated by the division method. This involves removing the plant from its pot and cutting away adjacent crowns or sections of the main root ball that have attached roots and, ideally, two or more leaves.

These are then planted separately to develop their root systems.

Anthuriums can also be propagated by division, but they are also capable of propagation by stem cutting, which is much easier to do.

Propagation by stem cutting means taking a section of a healthy stem and planting this in soil.

Similarities

Now that the differences are out of the way let’s look at the similarities.

A large green peace lily  leaf up close

You might be surprised just how similar these two plants are…

Toxic To Humans & Pets

According to the ASPCA, both anthuriums and peace lilies are known to be toxic to humans and pets.

It’s important to handle these plants carefully and keep them out of reach of children and animals to prevent ingestion and irritation.

USDA Zones

Anthuriums and peace lilies can both be grown outside year-round in similar USDA zones, typically within zones 11 to 12.

Indoor & Outdoor

You can grow anthuriums and peace lilies indoors as houseplants or outdoors if the climate permits (see above).

Several anthurium leaves and flowers

I like to keep both of mine indoors as it is easier to maintain the conditions, but it is nice to have the flexibility.

Growing Conditions

These plants thrive in the following growing conditions:

  • Light: Both enjoy filtered light and should be kept out of direct sunlight to avoid leaf burn.
  • Humidity: High humidity is optimal for both plants, and they may require extra steps to boost humidity, like humidifiers, pebble trays, or grouping similar plants together.
  • Watering: Ensure you water both plants regularly, but avoid overwatering so their roots don’t rot. They both like the soil to be moist but not waterlogged.
  • Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for both plants.

When it comes to caring for these two plants, it is essentially the same for both.

I’ve kept both plants in identical conditions for years and never had a single issue, so take my word for it.

Soil Type

Anthuriums and peace lilies need well-draining soil that retains moisture without becoming soggy. They also like soil that has lots of organic material, so adding potting soil to a cactus soil mix can be a great starting point for a soil mix.

A mixture of equal parts peat moss, perlite, and potting mix works well for both plants.

Lifespan

With proper care, your anthurium and peace lily plants can live for many years and continue to provide beautiful foliage and blooms.

Five years is around the average for both plants to fully mature, but they can live much longer than this with ideal conditions.

Which One Should You Choose?

When choosing between these two plants, it comes down to personal preference.

Both have very similar care requirements and can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on where you live. Anthuriums have a much larger variety of flower colors, whereas peace lilies only produce white flowers.

Peace lilies grow to a larger size, though, and produce bigger leaves.

In Summary

If you still can’t decide between the two, then get both like I did!

Both plants are easy to keep and make great houseplants that produce flowers regularly. There isn’t much difference in their care, if any, so it all comes down to your preference.

Want to learn more about anthuriums or peace lilies? Check out some of our recent articles below:

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About Me

Hi, I'm Joe! I'm the head of SEO and content management at Bloom and Bumble. I'm a huge plant lover and over the years my home has become more like an indoor rainforest. It has taken a lot of trial and error to keep my plants healthy and so I'm here to share my knowledge to the rest of the world.

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