If you’re entering your initial winter as a Peace Lily owner, you might have concerns about your plant’s well-being. Will it endure the colder air? Are there any measures you can take to ensure its health during the darkest part of the year? Here’s our comprehensive guide to maintaining a healthy Peace Lily throughout the winter.
Peace Lilies are perennial plants capable of thriving year-round. Nonetheless, if temperatures in your region dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s advisable to keep them indoors during the winter. Refrain from fertilizing your Peace Lily during this season, and ensure it’s situated away from drafts and heating sources. Maintaining a temperature range of 65°F to 85°F is ideal for its well-being.
During the summer, it’s possible to move your Peace Lily’s pot outdoors, provided you follow some essential guidelines, which we’ll outline below. Additionally, we’ll provide specific tips for ensuring the survival of your Peace Lily during the winter months. By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to keep your plant thriving and content, even when the snow blankets the landscape outside. If your peace lily is overgrown then check out my recent article Overgrown Peace Lily ( 6 Step Fix ).
Peace Lily Winter Care
Give Them Enough Light
During the winter, Peace Lilies may not receive sufficient natural sunlight. To meet their lighting needs, you can consider using artificial light as a supplement.
Don’t Water Them With Cold Water
To water your Peace Lily, avoid using cold water and opt for room-temperature water instead.
Allow The Soil To Dry Between Waterings
Before watering your plant, it’s essential to regularly check the soil and ensure it has dried out sufficiently between waterings.
Keep The Plant Away From Cold
Ensure that the temperature does not drop below 40°F, as this can result in significant harm to the plant.
Peace Lilies Need High Humidity Even During The Winter
During the winter when the heaters are on the humidity levels tend to fall off, which is not ideal for the peace lilies. In this case, you should use a humidifier.
Don’t Fertilize During The Winter
It is very important to stop fertilizing your peace lilies in the winter, as it will have a hard time absorbing the fertilizer which can lead to root burn.
Avoid Cold Drafts
Peace Lilies tend to struggle if they are constantly exposed to cold, in fact, they might even die if the temperatures tend to fluctuate a lot and often.
Peace Lily Winter Challenges
Peace lilies originate from tropical regions and thrive in temperatures above 45°F. When the temperature falls below 40-45°F, peace lilies can encounter issues.
It’s essential to adjust your care routine for peace lilies during the winter months, as continuing the same practices as in summer and spring could inadvertently harm your plant. If you want a more detailed guide on how to care for your peace lilies then check out my recent article Peace Lily Care ( In 6 Easy Steps ).
Winter Wilting
In winter, both overwatering and underwatering are common issues. Wilting is a significant concern during this season and should be addressed with the appropriate care.
Peace lilies are delicate and will wilt if they are not watered adequately for several days. In winter, the cold air can lead to rapid moisture loss and dryness, causing the plant to wilt.
On the other hand, overwatering can also lead to permanent wilting. In winter, with limited direct sunlight, the plant does not lose as much water. If you continue to water it as you would in other seasons, you may end up with an overwatered peace lily that wilts.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Overwatering is often the primary cause of yellowing leaves in peace lilies. Sudden shifts in environmental conditions, especially from higher to lower temperatures, can stress the plant, leading to the yellowing of its leaves.
Temperature is a critical factor, as peace lilies are not tolerant of cold temperatures. Any temperature dropping below 40°F can cause the leaves to wrinkle and turn yellow.
The optimal temperature range for peace lilies is between 65-80°F, as they thrive best within this range.
Leaves Turning Brow
Brown leaves are often the result of underwatering and low humidity. You may notice brown leaves when you place the peace lily in direct sunlight to protect it from cold air.
The tap water in your home can also contribute to brown leaves because it often contains fluoride, a chemical that can cause the leaves to turn brown. However, you can address this issue by using distilled or purified water when watering your peace lily.
Peace lilies require adequate humidity, which can be challenging to maintain on dry days, especially during the winter months when the air tends to be very dry. To combat this, consider using a humidifier to keep the air moist, which will help keep your peace lily healthy and prevent brown leaves during the winter. If your peace lily is root bound then check out my recent article Do Peace Lilies Like To Be Root Bound? ( Yes But Not Always ).
Pests
Peace lilies are particularly susceptible to pest infestations during the winter months when there is less intense light, lower temperatures, and reduced humidity in the air.
Improper watering, such as allowing the soil to remain consistently moist, can create the perfect environment for pests to thrive, leading to weakened peace lilies. Common pests that you might encounter during this time include mealybugs, scales, aphids, and others.
Therefore, it is crucial to provide proper care for your peace lily during the winter, as this season is not optimal for their recovery from pest infestations.
Peace Lilies Will Struggle In Cold
The Peace Lily, scientifically known as Spathiphyllum, originates from the humid rainforests of South America. These plants have not evolved to withstand cold weather conditions. Temperatures dropping below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can shock their systems, leading to wilting and rotting leaves.
Even relatively mild temperatures around 55 degrees Fahrenheit can hinder the growth of a Peace Lily. The optimal temperature range for the well-being of this plant is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unless you reside in a very warm climate, it’s not feasible to keep your Peace Lily outdoors during the winter. As garden plants, Peace Lilies can thrive in USDA hardiness zones 10-12, which primarily encompasses the southernmost regions of Florida, Texas, and California in the continental United States.
Certain hybrid varieties of Peace Lilies, such as “Annie,” “Debbie,” “Little Angel,” and “Vicount,” exhibit greater resilience to mild cold. However, it’s important to note that they still prefer the same temperature range as other Peace Lilies. They are merely more likely to survive minor frost damage if exposed to it.
Cold Damage
Mildly cool temperatures might temporarily hinder your Peace Lily’s growth for a few months without causing significant harm. However, when the temperature falls to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, even for a short period, you’re likely to observe more severe damage. Cold shock can cause the leaves to become black and limp, often starting at the edges and potentially covering entire leaves. When you touch your Peace Lily, you might feel soft, squishy areas where cells have perished and begun to decay.
Signs of cold shock may not become apparent until 3-5 days after your Peace Lily’s exposure to the cold. If you inadvertently place your plant in a chilly location, it’s best to assume it’s been affected until you can confirm otherwise.
Symptoms of frost damage can resemble those of root rot. In fact, these two conditions can be interconnected, as extreme cold shock can extend to the roots, causing them to deteriorate. If you notice mushy areas near the base of the plant (where your plant meets the soil) or detect a foul odor emanating from the pot, it’s advisable to carefully remove your Peace Lily from the soil and inspect its roots.
What To Do If Your Peace Lilies Got Damaged By Cold
The top priority for a Peace Lily that has experienced cold shock is to return it to a comfortable temperature range. However, it’s essential not to expose it to excessive heat. Subjecting your Peace Lily to direct heat sources, like a fireside or a hairdryer, can further stress it. Instead, place it in an environment within its preferred temperature range of 65-85°F.
Trim away any completely black and dead leaves, as well as any soggy or squishy spots that indicate rotting. Use sharp pruning shears, ensuring they are disinfected first with a 10% bleach solution or rubbing alcohol. When removing a leaf, cut it off along with the entire stem connecting it to the plant, making the cut quick and clean at a 45-degree angle.
If some leaves are only partially damaged, it’s acceptable to leave them in place. The green sections can still photosynthesize and provide nourishment to your Peace Lily. Avoid pruning more than ⅓ of the foliage at a time unless it’s entirely dead and decaying, and this should be a last resort.
During the recovery period, keep your Peace Lily away from direct sunlight, and refrain from applying any fertilizer. Wait until your plant is actively producing new leaves and flowers before resuming fertilization.
Surviving The Winter
While Peace Lilies despise cold temperatures, they are well-suited for indoor survival during the winter. Maintaining a home temperature above 60 degrees is generally sufficient to ensure their well-being. During the colder months, your Peace Lily’s growth may slow down or even come to a halt due to shorter days, but it should remain healthy.
It’s important to acknowledge and adapt to your Peace Lily’s reduced growth rate during the winter. Avoid applying any fertilizer during this period because the plant may not receive enough sunlight to process these nutrients properly. Accumulated minerals in the potting mix can potentially harm the roots.
Additionally, be cautious about overwatering. Cold air and slow growth prolong the drying time of the soil, increasing the risk of waterlogged conditions and potential root rot. Always wait until the topmost inch or two of soil is dry before considering watering.
Keep in mind that even in a warm home, there may be colder spots. Avoid placing your Peace Lily near drafty windows or doors leading outside. Be mindful of strong heat sources as well, such as heating vents or fireplaces, as they could scorch your plant. Temperatures exceeding 90 degrees are too high for a Peace Lily.
Do Peace Lilies Flower In The Winter?
Peace lilies can indeed bloom during the winter months if you create the right conditions for them. To encourage winter blooming, it’s essential to optimize their environment.
For instance, providing a temperature range between 65°F to 85°F during the winter, even with the help of artificial heating, can stimulate blooming. Additionally, since winter days are shorter and offer less natural light, you may need to supplement with artificial lighting to promote blooming. With the right care, your peace lily can develop new baby buds and produce beautiful winter blooms.
Peace lilies typically bloom during the spring season when their lush white and green foliage is most vibrant and healthy. If your Peace Lily is not blooming at all, it suggests that the plant might not be receiving the necessary requirements it needs to flourish.
Can Peace Lilies Survive Frost?
Peace lilies can endure spring frost quite well, as spring is their blooming season. They can recover from spring frost if you maintain the appropriate temperature around them. However, surviving winter frost at the start of winter can be challenging for Peace lilies. If the plant’s bulb is affected by winter frost, it can lead to damage that might be difficult for the plant to recover from.