Peace lilies will produce bigger flowers if gardeners perform an important task in June. June is a crucial time for peace lilies to grow properly, and houseplant owners need to complete a quick 30-second task if they want these fussy plants to keep producing flowers.
Why Peace Lilies Struggle in Summer
Peace lilies often become burned and stressed in summer if placed directly near a window. They should be showing off their elegant white flowers by now and continue blooming throughout summer, but they might begin to shrivel if placed in the wrong spot. Most houseplant owners place their peace lilies on windowsills, assuming they need as much sunlight as possible. However, peace lilies are very sensitive plants; in their natural habitat, they grow on forest floors in the shade underneath huge trees. Putting peace lilies right next to a window is likely to burn their sensitive foliage, and they are very prone to drying out, wilting, or even stopping growth in June.
Expert Advice: Move to Bathroom or Living Room
Craig Wilson from Gardener’s Dream has stated it is easy to care for peace lilies properly so they keep flowering, but you should move them to a bathroom or living room instead for optimum results. He explained: "The best place to keep a peace lily is either in the bathroom or in a room that is frequented by people, such as a living room. This is because peace lilies love humidity, and both people and bathroom equipment cause lots of humidity. It is best not to leave peace lilies by external doors or windows because the plants don't do well in exposed conditions."
Humidity is Key
Peace lilies survive in the wild by absorbing water from the air in rainforests, which is why it is better to move them to a bathroom or busy living room once summer arrives. Bathrooms provide the humidity that peace lilies love thanks to the steam from showers, while living areas benefit from the moisture people naturally release into the air, making busy rooms an ideal spot for these tropical plants.
Rooms to Avoid
It is not recommended to put peace lilies in kitchens, as some fruits and vegetables release a substance called ethylene, which helps ripen fruit and vegetables but can also cause plants to deteriorate.
Light Requirements for Peace Lilies
It can also help to put peace lilies in a room with an east-facing window, as this side of the home gets more morning sunlight, which is gentler but will also shield them from the harsher afternoon sun. Once you know which room to put a peace lily, place it near a window, but not in direct sunlight. The ideal areas are usually tables, desks, or stands near a window where the peace lily can get enough light, but not too close to the glass so its foliage might get burned.
Simple Test for Proper Lighting
A simple way to test if an area is suitable for a peace lily is to see if you can read or use your phone in that spot during the daytime without needing to turn on a light. As long as you do not put a peace lily in a dark corner or pressed up against a windowsill, then it should have enough sunlight to keep blooming its beautiful flowers for the rest of the summer.
