Peace Lily vs Anthurium
The peace lily is easier and flowers in far lower light; the anthurium's waxy red spathes last weeks but need a bright spot. Both are toxic to pets.
Peace Lily is rated easy to care for, Anthurium medium. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the Peace Lily. Peace Lily needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Anthurium wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
What they share: both are toxic to cats and dogs, both take moderate watering, both are happy in the same humidity and both stay medium.
Choose
Peace Lily if…
- ✓your spot is the dimmer of the two - it manages on low to medium light
- ✓you want the lower-risk plant of the two
- ✓the look is what you are after: Elegant white flowers and glossy leaves. One of the best air purifying plants. Droops dramatically when thirsty.
Choose
Anthurium if…
- ✓you have a bright window to give it (bright indirect light)
- ✓you are happy to fuss a little for the better-looking leaves
- ✓the look is what you are after: Glossy heart-shaped flowers in red, pink, or white. Blooms year-round.
Peace Lily vs Anthurium: side by side
| Attribute |
Peace Lily
|
Anthurium
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Flowering | Flowering |
| Difficulty | easy | medium |
| Light | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low to medium light |
●●●●○ 4/5 Bright indirect light |
| Water | ●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
| Humidity | ●●●●○ 4/5 Above average |
●●●●○ 4/5 Above average |
| Pet safe | Toxic to cats and dogs | Toxic to cats and dogs |
| Mature size | Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
| Growth rate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Air purifying | Yes | Yes |
| Native to | Central America | Central America |
Key differences between Peace Lily and Anthurium
Peace Lily is the easier plant
Peace Lily is rated easy to care for, Anthurium medium. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the Peace Lily.
Peace Lily copes with much less light
Peace Lily needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Anthurium wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
How to tell Peace Lily and Anthurium apart
Both throw a spathe around a spadix, but the anthurium's is a waxy red or pink heart that lasts for weeks, while the peace lily's is a white hood that fades to green. The peace lily flowers in much lower light; the anthurium needs a bright spot to rebloom at all.
Care at a glance
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum
Elegant white flowers and glossy leaves. One of the best air purifying plants. Droops dramatically when thirsty.
Care in one line: Low to medium light, keep moist, high humidity.
Full Peace Lily care guide →
Anthurium
Flamingo Flower, Laceleaf
Glossy heart-shaped flowers in red, pink, or white. Blooms year-round.
Care in one line: Bright indirect light, keep moist, high humidity.
Full Anthurium care guide →Peace Lily vs Anthurium: common questions
What is the difference between Peace Lily and Anthurium? +
Both throw a spathe around a spadix, but the anthurium's is a waxy red or pink heart that lasts for weeks, while the peace lily's is a white hood that fades to green. The peace lily flowers in much lower light; the anthurium needs a bright spot to rebloom at all. On care, peace Lily is rated easy to care for, Anthurium medium. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the Peace Lily.
Which is easier to care for, Peace Lily or Anthurium? +
Peace Lily. It is rated easy while Anthurium is medium, and it is more forgiving about light and watering mistakes.
Is Peace Lily or Anthurium safe for cats and dogs? +
Neither. Peace Lily is toxic to cats and dogs and Anthurium is toxic to cats and dogs. Both need a spot pets cannot reach.
Which needs less light, Peace Lily or Anthurium? +
Peace Lily. It scores 2/5 for light and fine a few metres back from a window. Anthurium scores 4/5 and beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
Which needs more water, Peace Lily or Anthurium? +
Neither - both score 3/5. For each one, water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly.
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