Native to the tropical regions of southeastern Asia and the Americas, the peace lily, also known as the Spath, is a distinct and unique-looking plant with glossy, dark green leaves and elegant white blooms.
Because of the plant’s delicate appearance, most people mistakenly believe that it exclusively thrives inside the home. However, that isn’t the case. Under the right conditions, the peace lily can flourish outdoors—perhaps even more so than indoors!
As with most tropical plants, the peace lily grows best in warmer climates and favors partial shade.
Given the challenges of controlling outdoor elements like weather and shade, cultivating peace lilies indoors is the simpler and more practical choice. Indoors, people can control the plant’s environment, ensuring optimal growth without the uncertainties of outdoor settings.
Here’s the thing, though: peace lilies often grow taller and healthier outdoors. While it certainly poses more challenges, the result is often more impressive blooms, making the extra effort worthwhile.
If you’re planning to plant peace lilies outdoors, understanding their requirements is a must. Otherwise, you may as well bid farewell to these plants.
Let’s talk about how to these requirements, shall we?
Mastering Outdoor Cultivation: Peace Lily Planting Essentials
Here are crucial requirements for successfully planting peace lilies outdoors:
1 – Sun
The peace lily thrives in partial shade, making it well-suited for environments with filtered sunlight. In its native tropical habitat, the plant often grows beneath the canopy of tall trees in rainforests, adapting to lower light conditions.
Excessive exposure to sunlight can result in sunburns, adversely affecting the growth of the plant. If left under the glaring sun for more than a few days, it may result in the plant’s death.
While the plant can tolerate the morning sun for about an hour or so, it must not be exposed to the afternoon sun for longer than a few minutes. The afternoon sun is blazing hot and can cause extensive damage to the plant.
To replicate its natural setting, place the peace lily in an area with an adequate amount of shade.
If the outdoors doesn’t provide this setting, place the peace lily indoors near a north or east-facing window so it can receive gentle sunlight without direct exposure to harsh rays.
2 – Soil
The peace lily prefers fertile, quickly draining soil. If the soil isn’t well-draining, it may cause problems for the plant.
One of the best things that you can do for the peace lily is to incorporate compost and mulch to guarantee its continued growth.
Once the peace lily is well established in the soil, apply fertilizer a few times throughout its life. The peace lily isn’t very demanding with fertilizer so you can get away with minimal application.
Just make sure to use a 10-10-10 formula to keep the plant in its prime condition as the summer months approach. This balanced fertilizer can provide essential nutrients for robust and healthy growth during the growing season.
3 – Watering Requirements
Because of its oversized leaves, the plant tends to lose a considerable amount of moisture over time. As such, you need to make sure that the plant gets an adequate amount of water. You can do so by establishing a regular watering routine.
Since it’s a tropical plant, you won’t have to worry about excessive watering. However, it always pays to check the soil first before adding more water as excessive moisture can cause root rot and introduce a litany of fungal infections.
During the winter months, remember to reduce your watering frequency because the peace lily naturally conserves more water as the temperature drops.
The best way to figure out when your plant requires water is to poke a finger in the soil. If the soil is dry, you can just add more water to the plant. If the soil feels soggy, hold off on watering for a day or two and check back again.
Ideally, water the plant several times during the week in the summer months. Also, keep in mind that the plant is sensitive to cold water and chlorinated water, so avoid using either of those.
Because it’s a tropical plant, the frost is going to damage the plant in the winter months, so one of the best things that you can do during the winter months is to put a frost blanket on the plant.
4 – Pests and Diseases
Another thing that you will have to defend the plant from is pests and diseases.
Because the peace lily will be placed outdoors, there’s a pretty high risk that it will be exposed to pests and diseases.
If you’re careful, it won’t take long before the plant falls prey to common pests and insects such as mealybugs or scales. Aphids can also cause damage to the plant if they are allowed to run unchecked.
You will have to make sure that you add a pesticide from time to time and closely observe the peace lily to identify signs of an infestation.
For instance, if it is a mealybug infestation, it’s going to spread fast. You’ll notice a white residue developing on the plants, which is indicative of a serious problem.
Thankfully, dealing with these pests isn’t a big problem; you will just have to apply the insecticide and spray it on the plant regularly for a few weeks and you’ll be good to go.
Tips to Follow When Planting Peace Lilies Outdoors
If you decide to plant peace lilies outdoors, here are some tips to follow:
- Plant the peace lily in shaded or partially shaded areas with indirect sunlight, replicating the peace lily’s natural habitat.
- Use well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, such as compost and mulch, to ensure proper water drainage.
- Plant the peace lily at the same depth as it was in its original container, allowing the roots to establish comfortably.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season. Apply sparingly, as peace lilies are not heavy feeders.
- During colder months, protect the peace lily from frost by bringing it indoors or providing suitable cover.
FAQs
How often should I water my peace lily?
Ideally, you should water your peace lily once a week. Don’t let the soil dry out for too long because it may result in yellowing and/or withering leaves. Ensure the top inch of the soil feels slightly moist before watering.
How long do peace lilies live outdoors?
Peace lilies have surprisingly long life spans. With proper care, they can easily live up to a decade or live.
Should I plant my peace lilies in pots or directly on the ground?
It depends on your space and preference. Planting directly in the ground is ideal for larger spaces and allows peace lilies to achieve larger sizes. But if you don’t have a lot of garden space or aren’t committed to a single location, it’s best to plant them in a pot.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few important things that you should know about caring for peace lilies.
While they can thrive outdoors, maintaining their well-being requires meticulous attention. Therefore, the best course of action is to keep them indoors so you can provide them with the necessary care needed for their optimal growth.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.