Peace Lily vs Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese evergreen handles dry air and neglect better; the peace lily flowers and wilts visibly when thirsty. Both are toxic to cats and dogs.
Chinese Evergreen wants low watering (2/5) - water when the top 3-5 cm of soil has dried out. Peace Lily needs moderate watering (3/5): water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly. Peace Lily rates 4/5 for humidity - group plants or run a humidifier in winter. Chinese Evergreen rates 3/5, so normal household humidity works.
What they share: both are toxic to cats and dogs, both are rated easy, both want low to medium light and both stay medium.
Choose
Peace Lily if…
- ✓you like a plant that asks for attention on a schedule
- ✓it will live in a bathroom, kitchen or a humidified room
- ✓you want visible growth and free cuttings quickly
Choose
Chinese Evergreen if…
- ✓you forget to water - it prefers to dry out between drinks
- ✓your home runs dry in winter and you will not add a humidifier
- ✓you would rather not prune and repot often
Peace Lily vs Chinese Evergreen: side by side
| Attribute |
Peace Lily
|
Chinese Evergreen
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Flowering | Foliage |
| Difficulty | easy | easy |
| Light | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low to medium light |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low to medium light |
| Water | ●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
| Humidity | ●●●●○ 4/5 Above average |
●●●○○ 3/5 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 | Slow |
| Air purifying | Yes | Yes |
| Native to | Central America | Southeast Asia |
Key differences between Peace Lily and Chinese Evergreen
Peace Lily drinks more
Chinese Evergreen wants low watering (2/5) - water when the top 3-5 cm of soil has dried out. Peace Lily needs moderate watering (3/5): water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly.
Peace Lily needs damper air
Peace Lily rates 4/5 for humidity - group plants or run a humidifier in winter. Chinese Evergreen rates 3/5, so normal household humidity works.
Peace Lily fills out faster
Peace Lily is a moderate grower and gives you cuttings or a full pot sooner. Chinese Evergreen is slow, which means less pruning and repotting but a longer wait.
Different plant types: flowering vs foliage
Peace Lily is a flowering plant and Chinese Evergreen is a foliage plant, so they fill different jobs in a room even when their care overlaps.
They come from different habitats
Peace Lily originates in Central America; Chinese Evergreen in Southeast Asia. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
How to tell Peace Lily and Chinese Evergreen apart
Both are low-light standards. The peace lily flowers and wilts visibly when thirsty; the Chinese evergreen does neither but handles dry air and neglect better and comes in silver, red and pink forms. Both are toxic to pets.
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 →
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema
Beautiful patterned leaves in silver, green, pink, or red. Tolerates low light very well.
Care in one line: Low to medium light, water when dry, avoid cold drafts.
Full Chinese Evergreen care guide →Peace Lily vs Chinese Evergreen: common questions
What is the difference between Peace Lily and Chinese Evergreen? +
Both are low-light standards. The peace lily flowers and wilts visibly when thirsty; the Chinese evergreen does neither but handles dry air and neglect better and comes in silver, red and pink forms. Both are toxic to pets. On care, chinese Evergreen wants low watering (2/5) - water when the top 3-5 cm of soil has dried out. Peace Lily needs moderate watering (3/5): water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly.
Which is easier to care for, Peace Lily or Chinese Evergreen? +
Neither - both are rated easy. The practical difference is peace lily drinks more.
Is Peace Lily or Chinese Evergreen safe for cats and dogs? +
Neither. Peace Lily is toxic to cats and dogs and Chinese Evergreen is toxic to cats and dogs. Both need a spot pets cannot reach.
Which needs less light, Peace Lily or Chinese Evergreen? +
They are the same. Both score 2/5 for light, meaning fine a few metres back from a window.
Which needs more water, Peace Lily or Chinese Evergreen? +
Peace Lily, at 3/5 - water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly. Chinese Evergreen scores 2/5: water when the top 3-5 cm of soil has dried out.
Comparing something else?
Put any two or three of our 116 houseplants head to head on light, water, humidity, size and pet safety.
Build your own comparison →