How to Cut Roots on a Peace Lily

Peace lilies are a low-maintenance houseplant that easily propagates through division. If you remove the plant from the pot and cut the root ball in half, you can then replant both halves. They will grow into independent plants. During this cutting process, removing the dead or damaged roots helps the new plants thrive after cutting the root ball. Healthy roots are firm and whitish, while dead or diseased roots are brown and mushy.

Things You'll Need

• Hand spade
• Cardboard or newspaper
• Knife

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Insert a hand spade between the soil and the peace lily's container to loosen the soil from the pot walls. Tip the pot onto its side and pull the lily out by its base.

   • 2

     Gently shake off the loose soil from the roots. Untie the roots if they are knotted. Lay the lily on a piece of newspaper or cardboard.

   • 3

     Cut off any dead or circling roots. Cut the root ball in half with a knife, starting at the crown of the root ball and cutting down until the ball is halved.