Can a Peace Lily Live Outside in Winter? A Complete Care Guide

The graceful peace lily with its lush green foliage and pristine white blooms is one of the most popular houseplants. But did you know that in some climates, these tropical beauties can also spend time outdoors?

Many gardeners have success overwintering peace lilies outside with the right conditions. However, harsh winters can spell trouble for these tender tropicals.

So can a peace lily live outside in winter? Let’s dig into the details on overwintering techniques and cold protection to keep your peace lily thriving through the colder months,

An Overview of Peace Lily Preferences

Native to tropical rainforests, peace lilies naturally prefer warm and steamy environments. Here’s a quick recap of their ideal growing conditions:

• Temperature Consistent 65-75°F is optimal. Avoid cold drafts below 50°F

• Light: Thrives in medium to bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sun will scorch leaves.

• Water: Likes consistently moist but not soggy soil. Allow potting mix to partly dry out between waterings.

• Humidity: Enjoys average household humidity. Higher humidity encourages blooms.

• Soil: Loose, peaty potting mix that retains some moisture is best.

When cared for properly indoors, peace lilies readily flower and make easy, low maintenance houseplants. But what happens when we move them outside?

Factors for Peace Lily Winter Survival Outdoors

Several key factors determine if a peace lily can successfully survive through winter outdoors:

Climate and Temperatures

• Mild coastal and southern climates provide the best opportunity for overwintering outside.

• Consistent frosts below 30°F will likely kill the plant. Brief light freezes may be tolerated.

• Fluctuating temperatures cause stress. Avoid wide swings above and below 50°F.

Microclimate Modification

• Partial cold protection can be provided by south-facing walls or other heat sinks.

• Covering the plant during cold snaps maintains warmer conditions.

• Locations shielded from wind and weather extremes improve survival odds.

Plant Health

• Plants grown indoors year-round tend to be less hardy than those acclimated outdoors.

• Larger, vigorous, well-established plants fare better than smaller starter plants.

• Avoid late season fertilizing so growth can harden off before winter.

• Insufficient sunlight over winter weakens the plant.

Caring for Outdoor Peace Lilies in Winter

If you want to try overwintering your peace lily outside, give it the best care possible:

• Gradually introduce the plant to the outdoors in spring after all danger of frost has passed.

• Select a location protected from excessive rain and cold winds.

• Check soil moisture often, watering when the top few inches become dry.

• Fertilize every 6-8 weeks during the active growing season with a balanced fertilizer.

• Prune off any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage and spent blooms.

• Mulch around the base to insulate roots with 2-3 inches of bark chips or straw.

• Cover the plant when temperatures drop below 45°F using burlap, frost cloth, or an inverted bucket.

• Reduce watering in fall to encourage dormancy before winter arrives.

• If possible, move into a garage, enclosed porch, or greenhouse over winter.

Is Overwintering Peace Lilies Outdoors Worthwhile?

While overwintering peace lilies outside is certainly possible with diligent care in warm climates, it does carry risks. Even plants that survive one winter may fail the next due to an unexpected freeze, disease, or other factors.

Many gardeners find keeping peace lilies as easy houseplants to be less troublesome than fussing with outdoor overwintering protection. They simply buy new plants each spring.

If experimenting with outdoor wintering, start with vigorous plants you can afford to lose. Try different protection methods and see what works best for your conditions. But don’t get too attached – the peace lily may not survive!

For most gardeners, enjoying these tropical beauties as carefree houseplants is the best approach. But transitioning them outside through spring and summer remains an exciting option for daring green thumbs in warm regions.

Additional Peace Lily Care Tips for Outdoor Settings

Here are a few more pointers to keep your outdoor peace lily thriving through the seasons:

Watering

• Monitor soil moisture frequently and water more often than indoor plants due to increased light, airflow and possible higher temperatures.

• Take care not to overwater as wet feet quickly lead to root rot. Check moisture before watering.

Fertilizing

• Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer per package directions during the active growing season. Too much fertilizer can harm plants.

Hot Summers

• Give plants a boost by providing additional water and misting leaves to increase humidity during hot, dry spells. But avoid waterlogged soil.

Winter Care

• In regions with mild winters, continue caring for outdoor plants with added frost protection as needed.

• Where winters are harsh, bring peace lilies indoors or into a greenhouse for the cold season.

While their natural home may be the steamy tropics, peace lilies can spend time outdoors in the right climate if given special care. Shelter from cold winds, deep mulching, and winter covers can see the plants through lighter frosts. But harsh winters usually require moving these tender tropicals back indoors. With a little trial and error, certain gardeners find overwintering peace lilies outdoors rewarding. For most growers though, keeping these beauties as easy houseplants is the surest path to success.

Yes, you can put a potted peace lily outside, but it’s crucial to choose a suitable location and provide proper care. Peace lilies thrive in warm, humid environments and prefer bright, indirect light, so they do well outdoors during the summer months in many climates.

Yes, peace lilies are perennials and will come back every year with proper care.