The Peace Lily (botanical name *Spathiphyllum*) is one of those classic, low-maintenance houseplants that almost everyone loves. While it’s pretty easygoing and can handle various spots in your home, there’s a little secret to getting those iconic white blooms: it needs plenty of light!
The Perfect Spot
When it comes to picking a home for your Peace Lily, it’s actually not that picky. Instead of worrying about the “perfect” spot, it’s easier to look at what this plant absolutely hates:
- Drafts
- Direct sunlight
- Major temperature swings
Watch Out for Drafts
Peace Lilies aren’t big fans of being in the line of fire when it comes to moving air. You’ll want to avoid:
- Drafty hallways or corridors
- Placing it right next to a window you open frequently for fresh air
That said, if your plant is sitting in the middle of a room and catches a light breeze while you’re airing things out on a sweltering summer day, it’ll actually appreciate the cool-down.
No Direct Sun, Please!
Direct sunlight is a total dealbreaker for the Peace Lily. Unlike some plants that can eventually “toughen up” to the sun, this one won’t. In fact, if you leave it in the harsh sun, you can count on the leaves getting scorched and turning brown.
Keep Temperatures Steady
This houseplant craves consistency. It doesn’t really care *why* the temperature is jumping around; it just knows it doesn’t like it. Common culprits for stress include:
- Moving the plant to a new room constantly
- Being right in front of an AC unit or a powerful fan that gets switched on and off
What the Peace Lily Actually Wants
To keep your plant truly happy, aim for a spot that is warm and bright. There’s a bit of a balancing act here: if the spot is very bright, it can handle slightly cooler temps. If the spot is a bit darker, it prefers to be kept a little warmer.
Bright Light (But Not Too Bright)
When we say “bright,” we mean lots of indirect light. Since direct rays are a no-go, if you have a south-facing window, you should:
- Set the plant back a few feet from the glass
- Use a sheer curtain to filter the light
East or west-facing windows are usually the “sweet spot” for these plants. They also do just fine in bright partial shade. While a Peace Lily will survive in a darker corner, keep in mind that it rarely produces flowers if it’s not getting enough light.
Keep it Toasty
Peace Lilies are happiest when the thermometer stays between 68°F and 77°F (20-25°C). If your house heats up a bit more than that during a summer heatwave, the plant can handle it just fine—just make sure you’re keeping up with its water needs!
On the flip side, they really don’t like it when things dip below 68°F for long periods. Try to keep them out of unheated rooms in the winter. If they get too chilly, you’ll start seeing those leaves turn yellow or brown as a protest.
