Do Peace Lilies Go Dormant in Winter?

Tropical perennials called peace lilies can bloom repeatedly with the right care. Originating in Central America, peace lilies are fashionable indoor plants with angular green foliage and snow-white blossom bracts.

Originally, they were discovered in dense rainforests, where they offered filtered cover. They thrive in milder climates as well.

These plants are poisonous to both people and animals, which is something to be aware of. Hence, keep them away from young children and pets.

Peace Lily Temperature Tolerance

The ideal temperature for peace lilies is between 68 and 85 °F during the day and 10°F cooler at night. Avoid temperatures below 60 °F as much as possible to prevent cold damage.

Growth can be slowed by a prolonged period of cooling between 52 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Your peace lily may have developed frost if the night time temperature dropped to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ice crystals are naturally formed on leaf surfaces as a result of water naturally transpiring from large leaves and water condensing in the chilly air.

Why Do Peace Lilies Go Dormant in Winter?

The winter months can make the peace lily vulnerable. The plants’ general metabolism is impacted, and their growth slows down since they are not receiving enough sunlight.

That could not be an issue, but in the winter it is more important to be cautious and change your care regimen.

What Affects Peace Lilies in Winter?

Let’s look at the factors that can affect the peace lily plant’s growth throughout the winter and the proper guidelines that you should follow.

1. Light

Particularly for plants, which depend on sunlight to survive, sunlight is a crucial requirement. Lack of sunlight throughout the winter causes the plant to go into dormancy.

Your peace lily should be relocated to a location that receives the most light during the winter. Even in the winter, you can allow the plant to spend a few hours in direct sunshine during the day.

To avoid exposing the plant to chilly draughts or low temperatures throughout the winter, avoid placing it in front of a window.

2. Water

In the winter, reduce watering and allow the soil to dry out naturally. The soil may dry up more quickly, and the plant will need a little more water if you give your peace lily artificial light and some extra heat throughout the winter.

Depending on the temperature, the amount of light, and whether the soil is suited – water your peace lily accordingly to it.

Avoid watering your peace lily with cold water since it could shock it. For optimal results, use water that is at room temperature.

3. Temperature

Because they don’t like being cold, peace lilies frequently die when exposed to it for a long period of time. If you want the plant to survive the winter, you should keep the temperature between 45 and 55°F.

For peace lilies, any temperature below 40°F is harmful, and such low temperatures can even be fatal to the plant.

4. Humidity

The peace lily appreciates humidity and dislikes dry air. The winter months’ low humidity levels could cause discoloured leaves.

This issue can be resolved, and a humidifier will aid in maintaining humidity for the plant. If there is scope for evaporation, you can try spraying some water on the plant’s leaves.

To prevent water from getting into the drainage holes of the plant, you can use a tray with stones and water. However, you need to carefully lay the plant on the tray.

5. Fertilizer

Winter and fall are the wrong times to fertilize peace lilies. The peace lily goes dormant during the winter when it doesn’t concentrate on growing but instead saves up energy for the spring and summer growing seasons.

As a result of the extra salt buildup on the soil, if you fertilize your peace lily in the winter, it will receive an excessive amount of fertilizer. In order to fertilize your peace lily once more, you must wait until after the winter season pass.

Also Read: Should You Fertilize Houseplants in the Winter?

How Long Does a Peace Lily Typically Live?

A peace lily lives for 15 to 20 years on average. With the right care, they can survive for up to 25 years.

Does cold weather affect peace lily?

The peace lily is susceptible to cold conditions, but it is also sensitive to temperatures above freezing that are chilling. Though the plant has long been thought to be better able to withstand lower temperatures than other exotic foliage plants.

Temperatures between just over 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 59 levels Fahrenheit can kill peace lilies.

The degree of damage that plants sustained varied according to the size of the plant. The maturity of the fallen leaves, the intensity and duration of the cold, and other factors too.

Check this: Can String of Pearls Survive in Winter?

What sort of damage is the cold causing to peace lily?

According to a University of Florida research study, when exposed to 38 degrees Fahrenheit, a smaller cultivar experienced chilling harm after 24 hours and a larger one within 5 days. With soft, brownish regions turning black and then drying out, the damage started at the tips of the fallen leaves and moved inward.

Fallen leaves that were older in age incurred more damage. Depending on the cultivar, the degree of damage varied. Longer exposure also led to more damage.

Will Peace Lily Reappear After Winter?

Due to the cold and lack of sunlight over the winter, some plants may die back, but many will grow again in the spring. In particular, this is accurate for hardy plants that are adapted to cold temperatures.

For instance, bulbs are made to withstand the winter and typically begin to grow as the weather gets warmer.

If a peace lily dies back during the winter, it might reappear in the spring if the circumstances are ideal.

Check this article: Can You Leave Calla Lilies in Pots Over-Winter?

How Cold can a Peace Lily Tolerate?

Peace Lilies are vulnerable to cold temperatures because they are tropical plants. If you reside in an area where they can be grown outside, you should do so. Peace Lilies should be grown in USDA hardiness zones 10–12.

Make sure the temperature is not lower on winter nights than 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 degrees Celsius), as these plants cannot resist such low temperatures.

The plant will stop growing, and the leaves will become brown. The peace lily will die if the temperature falls significantly below 55 degrees.

Can Peace Lily be left outside throughout the winter?

Peace lily cannot be left outside throughout the winter. Due to its tropical habitat, this plant cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

The peace lily’s leaves begin to droop and turn brown as the temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, the plant will stop developing and go into dormancy. Bring the peace lily indoors and place it in a warm, sunny area to overwinter it.

Also Read: How Long Can ZZ Plant Go Without Water?

What Is the Lifespan of Peace Lilies?

With proper care, peace lilies can bloom for years and are one of the most durable indoor plants.

They belong to the Araceae family, however, they are not technically lilies. Native to the tropics of the Americas, peace lilies flourish in hot, muggy conditions.

Peace lilies are a wonderful addition to any home since they may last for decades with the right care.

How to Care Peace Lily in Winter?

Due to their dark green leaves, white blossoms, and air-purifying properties, peace lilies are tropical plants that have become more and more common as houseplants.

Owners must remember that peace lilies require extra care during the winter because their needs vary depending on the season.

You must alter your routine of daily care in the following ways to take care of peace lilies throughout the winter:

• Winter months may not provide peace lilies with enough sunlight, thus artificial light can be used to meet their sunlight needs.
• Use room temperature water to water your peace lily instead of using cold water.
• Before watering, inspect the soil at all times. Make sure the soil dries out completely in between watering.
• Allowing the temperature to drop below 40°F can seriously harm the plant, therefore, avoid doing so.
• Use a humidifier to try to maintain the appropriate level of humidity.
• Winter is the time to stop fertilizing plants.
• Keep the plant out of draughty areas.

If peace lilies are neglected in the winter, they may experience leaf wilting, discolouration, overfertilization, etc.

Conclusion

Like most houseplants, peace lily plant goes dormant, where it doesn’t grow due to certain climatic conditions.

Take care of peace lily in winter and it will start growing green foliage and bloom in spring.

Air purification is provided by peace lilies, a lovely indoor plant. However, if you want a plant that lives for a long time and endures the winter, you must give it the right attention.

Following the same care schedule as you do throughout the other seasons of the year will simply result in the plant developing more issues as winter approaches. As a result, in the winter you must follow a different care schedule for your peace lily.

To ensure the peace lily’s success, you should make an effort to give it a few hours of direct sunlight each day, cut back on your water usage, and maintain the right humidity and temperature levels. Avoid exposing the peace lily to chilly air currents and low temperatures because doing so could harm the plant permanently.