Peace Lily Temperature and Humidity Tolerances

Known for needing far less light than many other popular houseplants, the Peace Lily still prefers certain temperature and humidity levels. It’s not equipped for handling particularly dry or cold environments, just like most other indoor plants. Without proper humidity, these are richly symbolic, and beneficial plants tend to develop issues that make them less attractive. This guide will cover everything you need to know about Peace Lily temperature and humidity tolerances.

Peace Lily Temperature and Humidity Tolerances – The Essentials

Peace Lily plants need warm temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees F. They prefer higher humidity levels but will do just fine at around 60% average humidity.

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Typical Temperature and Humidity Ranges Peace Lily Plants Receive in Their Native Habitats

Peace Lily, more properly known as part of the Spathiphyllum genus, are plants native to Central America. In particular, they’re found in the tropical jungles of Colombia and Venezuela. They have not naturalized in many other areas, resulting in them only being used as houseplants in most other countries.

In their native environment, they are found in the understory of dense jungle. This means that relatively little light filters down to them. It has helped them adapt to life inside the home or office where there’s little direct light as well.

Typical Humidity Conditions for Peace Lily Plants

Growing in the roots of more established trees, vines, and shrubs ensure the Peace Lily plant is exposed to high humidity levels. Steady rainfall and a lack of evaporation or air movement have left the Peace Lily capable of dealing with extreme humidity without fungal issues. 

However, it also means that they prefer a higher humidity level than is found in most homes. You can easily overcome a low average humidity level with the careful use of a small-scale humidifier or other tricks.

Typical Temperature Ranges for Peace Lily Plants

When it comes to temperatures, Peace Lily plants are rarely exposed to cold temperatures. 

In their native tropical habitat, temperatures rarely drop below 65 degrees F. In your home, they can handle around 60 degrees F at the lowest before experiencing negative effects. 

For best growth and flower development, they need to stay around 70 to 75 degrees F. High temperatures above 85 degrees F can cause them to droop temporarily, lose some leaves, or fail to flower. 

While they may thrive in a jungle environment, these jungles are mountainous and more temperate than hot. The protected environment they have evolved to live in protects them from spikes in temperature and drought. 

You’ll need to mimic this kind of environment by keeping the Peace Lily plants away from hot or cold draft sources.

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Signs Your Peace Lily Plant is Exposed to the Wrong Temperature and Humidity

The first sign most plant owners notice when their Peace Lily doesn’t get enough humidity is browning along the leaf tips. This can also be caused by a lack of watering, compacted potting soil, or over-use of fertilizer. You’ll have to use the process of elimination to determine which issue you’re dealing with. 

Measuring the ambient humidity level around the plant will help you determine if it’s a potential cause of brown tips. If you don’t adjust the humidity and dry conditions go on for too long, older leaves may turn brown entirely and fall off. A Peace Lily kept in dry air is also less likely to flower, even when other conditions are perfect for triggering it.

Reactions from exposure to temperature issues can take longer to appear. The plant may seem fine but suddenly drop healthy-looking leaves or turn yellow in the oldest foliage. Since this can occur from even a short exposure to cold or hot temperatures, it’s often to pinpoint exactly what’s causing leaf loss in the plant.

Check for placement near an air vent, door, or window to catch temperature variations that may have only lasted for a few hours. It’s also worth keeping an eye on any common Peace Lily plant pests and diseases.

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Ideal Temperature and Humidity Ranges for Peace Lily Plants

Peace Lily plants will handle short-term exposure to a wide range of temperatures without much damage. The plant may refuse to flower or slow in growth, but leaf drop is usually minor if temperatures are corrected soon enough. 

They prefer to stay around 58 to 65 degrees F at night and between 70 and 85 degrees F during the day. Keeping them below 80 degrees F even during the day is key to triggering flowering. 

Cold damage can set in below 55 degrees F, making them one of the more cold-sensitive houseplants. No matter the exact temperature range, try to limit daily temperature changes to less than 10 degrees between day and night. Make sure to leave heating set to a minimum when traveling over the winter if you have Peace Lily plants and other tropical houseplants in your home.

The Best Humidity Ranges for Peace Lily Plants

This group of houseplants prefers more humidity rather than less. The average home humidity level is only around 40% to 50%, which is recommended in many areas in order to prevent mold and mildew growth. 

However, Peace Lily plants greatly prefer humidity levels of at least 60%. It’s unnecessary to aim for higher humidity with these plants since they’re adapted to only absorb a limited amount of moisture through their glossy leaves.

Using a digital thermometer that also displays the ambient humidity level of the area is the best way to ensure your Peace Lily is getting the conditions it prefers. To understand if it has been exposed to a drop or spike in temperature, look for a thermometer with a history feature. 

You can quickly check if a draft caused a drop below 55 degrees F or a spike above 85 degrees F, solving the issue of leaf drop or browning tips. Since Peace Lily plants don’t need much light, they can be kept in central locations away from windows or doors that might cause drafts. 

Watch out for heating vents as well, which cause problems in both the summer and winter.

How to Boost Humidity in Your Home

If your Peace Lily shows signs of low humidity, misting it a few times a week may be sufficient. This only temporarily lifts the ambient humidity around the plant, but it’s often enough for plants like the Peace Lily. 

Using a small humidifier is the ultimate way to boost humidity. You can also try clustering a few Peace Lily plants close together to mimic the natural moisture trapping effect of their native environment. 

If you choose to use an actual humidifier rather than just placing the plant in a humid area, use a thermometer that also tracks humidity to make sure you’re not making the area too wet.

(Editors Note: Petal Republic participates in partnership programs with Amazon and other merchants to help connect readers with relevant products and services we may recommend).

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Caring for Peace Lily Plants in Spring and Summer

This is when the plant tends to be actively growing, so keep humidity levels high and focus on avoiding high temperatures. Watch out for light when you position your peace lily plant (particularly with variegated Peace Lilies) that becomes more direct as the sun’s zenith changes, leading to sunburn on Peace Lily plants that were once far enough away to just receive indirect light. 

Fertilize if necessary during these seasons so that the plant can put the nutrients to good use.

Also, it’s worth noting that peace lily plants are considered toxic to both humans and pets so it’s prudent to wear gloves when handling these plants (particularly when propagating, repotting, or pruning).

Caring for Peace Lily Plants Over Winter

In the winter, Peace Lily plants continue to grow at a slower rate. They’ll still need humidity and steady temperatures, but they won’t mind slightly cooler ranges between 60 and 70 degrees F. 

There’s no need to try and provide 80-degree weather in the winter for these plants. Water Peace Lily plants less frequently than in the summer, but don’t let them droop or dry out too much. Consider that dry air from heating systems will both drop humidity and dry the soil up.

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Peace Lily Plant Temperature and Humidity Tolerances FAQs:

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Peace Lily Temperature Tolerances – The Final Word

Give your Peace Lily the temperatures and humidity range it’s looking for with the right placement in the home. It can fit in a bathroom or other humid area due to its low demand for light. For more, see our ultimate guide to Peace Lily plant care at home and the meaning and symbolism of Peace Lilies.

If you’re looking for your next Peace Lily plant, see our in-depth guide to the best plant shops delivering Peace Lilies nationwide.

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