How To Grow Peace Lilies Outdoors - Ways & What to Pay Attention

Written by Ivy

In the right outdoor environment, the peace lily can thrive, but you must make sure the plant has a climate it can thrive in. The peace lily prefers some shade and does best in warmer climates.

If you live in zones 10 to 12, you can grow peace lilies outside even though they are typically grown as indoor plants.

Now, you must make sure you are aware of its requirements if you intend to plant the peace lily outdoors. The plant will perish if these conditions are not satisfied. Let's discuss the plant's main requirements.

Sun

The peace lily is unable to withstand prolonged sun exposure. The plant does well in partial shade, and needs to be shielded from the direct sunlight.

The plant thrives in dappled shade, so ideally you should keep it there. As a tropical plant, the peace lily is accustomed to growing under the canopy of tropical rainforests.

Sunburns and plant burnout may result from prolonged exposure to the sun, which will eventually slow the plant's growth. If you don't fix it, in extreme cases, this can also completely destroy a young plant.

The plant can tolerate some morning sun for about an hour, but you need to know that it cannot be exposed to afternoon sun. The afternoon sun is blazing hot and can cause extensive damage to your plant.

The peace lily has a severe problem with sunburn, especially if it is planted outside.

The plants can't stand the heat of the afternoons. Therefore, if your peace lily is going to be planted outside without any shade, it's probably going to die, especially if your region receives a lot of sunlight.

However, if your plant won't get enough shade, you might want to think about growing it indoors. It all depends on how much sunlight your garden receives and where the plants are located.

Soil

The peace lily prefers a fertile, quickly draining soil. The plant will experience significant issues if the soil does not drain well.

Making sure that compost is added when planting the peace lily is among the best things you can do for the plant. The need for periodic fertilization of the plant cannot be stressed enough.

To ensure that the peace lily plant can thrive on its own, you can spread mulch around it. The peace lily is generally not a very demanding plant and requires only a small amount of fertilizer over the course of its lifetime.

However, if you want to keep the plant in top shape as the summer months draw near, you should think about using a 10-10-10 formula.
Read More: Why Is My Peace Lily Dying - 5 Reasons & How to Revive

Watering Requirements

Because of their oversized leaves, the plant tends to lose a considerable amount of moisture over the passage of time. Make sure the plant receives enough water by checking to see if it is dry.

When grown outdoors, it is going to lose even more moisture over time, and you will have to make sure that you care for the plant properly.

As a result, you must establish a watering schedule. Even though it's a tropical plant and you won't really need to worry about overwatering it, it always pays to check the soil first before adding more water.

You must take proper care of the plant because excessive moisture will result in root rot and will introduce a plethora of fungal infections to the plant. (Read More: Peace Lily Root Rot - Signs & How to Solve)

Because it will be able to conserve more water as the temperature drops during the winter, you should water the plant a little less frequently during that time. Putting your finger in the soil and checking it will help you determine when your plant needs to be watered.

Adding more water to the plant will suffice if the soil is dry. If the soil feels moist to you, it's recommended that you hold off on watering for a day or two and check back again.

In the summer, you should water the plant several times a week, and this is generally a good idea to keep the plant healthy.

You should also be aware that the plant is quite sensitive to cold water as well as chlorinated water, so avoid using either of those.

Put a frost blanket over the plant during the winter because it is a tropical plant and will be harmed by the frost. This is one of the best things you can do for the plant.

Pests and Diseases

Defending the plant against pests and diseases is something else you'll have to do. The peace lily will be placed outdoors, so there is a fairly high chance that it will be exposed to pests and diseases. If you are not careful, it won't be long before the plant succumbs to common pests and insects like mealybugs or scales.

If left unchecked, aphids can harm the plant as well.

To spot symptoms of an infestation, you'll need to regularly add a pesticide and keep a close eye on the peace lily.

For instance, if there is a mealybug infestation, it will spread very quickly and leave behind a white residue on the plants that indicates a serious issue.

Fortunately, controlling these pests isn't a major hassle; all you have to do is apply the insecticide and spray it on the plant regularly for a few weeks, and you'll be good to go.

However, it's more important to remember that you will occasionally need to prune the plants.

These are only a few of the most crucial details regarding peace lily maintenance that you should be aware of.

However, you will need to pay close attention to it if you want them to survive outside. As a substitute, you could keep the plant inside and give it better care, ensuring that it has everything it needs to flourish.

Ideal Environment for Peace Lilies

Peace lilies are tropical plants, so they are sensitive to cold temperatures. If you reside in a hardiness zone that is appropriate, you should only grow them outdoors. The recommended USDA hardiness zone for Peace Lilies is 10-12.

Peace Lilies can be grown in the garden soil in tropical areas like Hawaii and Florida. Most gardeners advise growing them in pots for other regions.

Your pots can be placed in a covered deck, porch, or doorway.

In the warm summer months, potted Peace Lilies can be grown outside. But as soon as the temperature drops, you will need to bring them inside.

These plants cannot withstand temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 degrees Celsius) so make sure the temperature is not below this on winter nights.

Peace Lilies thrive in the shade of trees, where the soil is enriched with decomposing organic matter. When growing Peace Lilies outside, the same growing conditions should be imitated.

In a shaded area of your outdoor garden, Peace Lilies make an excellent ground cover with their lush green foliage. (Read More: 12 Amazing Peace Lily Benefits to Keep)

Planting them in a location that allows for easy movement and winter protection is recommended. There is no dormancy for peace lilies. As a result, they are plantable all year long.

To plant a peace lily in garden soil, simply follow the instructions provided below.

  • Dig the ground down to a depth of one foot (30 cm) to begin. Now cover this area with peat moss, well-rotted compost, and sand loam. Compost is an optional component, but I strongly advise using it to improve the soil for your outdoor Peace Lilies.
  • Take a pH test and ensure the soil pH falls within the range of 5.8 to 6.5. Simply ensure that your soil mixture is rich and well-draining.
  • The Peace Lilies should be spaced 24 to 36 inches (60 to 91 cm) apart. You can plant them with the same spacing in box containers.
  • At the same height as they were in their pots, each plant should be buried in the ground. Right away following planting, water your Peace lilies.
  • When you add water in the future, wait until the plant has completely drooped. It is best to avoid overwatering because it harms not only young plants but also established ones.
  • When deciding when to water your outdoor Peace Lily, always keep a close eye on the moisture content.
  • When growing Peace Lilies outdoors, there are several ways to fertilize them. You can use a slow-release dry fertilizer; it needs to be incorporated into the soil at the time of planting.
  • A 3:1:2 liquid fertilizer, however, is my preferred choice. It can be used with water to apply it once a week. 1/8 teaspoon of liquid fertilizer should be diluted in about two gallons of water.

Conclusion

In USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12, peace lilies can easily survive outside. The Peace Lilies can be inserted directly into the ground as a ground cover or into substantial planters. Your Peace Lilies should be moved inside if there is a chance of frost damage. For best results, outdoor Peace Lilies need to be regularly pruned and placed in dappled shade. Do not expose yourself to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 degrees Celsius).

FAQs

How Tall Do Peace Lilies Grow Outdoors?

Most peace lily varieties grow to a height of one to two feet (30 to 60 cm), but some outdoor varieties can grow as tall as six feet (1.8 meters).

Can Peace Lilies Tolerate Full Sun?

Because their leaves will burn if they are exposed to direct sunlight, peace lilies do best in areas of the garden that are only partially shaded.

Are Peace Lilies Frost Tolerant?

Since peace lilies aren't frost resistant, it's best to bring them inside before it gets cold if you live in a region that experiences frosts.

Therefore, those are my suggestions for growing peace lily plants outside. You can enjoy lovely peace lily plants in your garden for many years to come with the proper location and maintenance.

Why Are the Edges of My Outdoor Peace Lilies Turning Brown?

When Peace Lilies are grown outdoors, they frequently turn brown for one of two reasons. You are either overwatering your plant or over-fertilizing it. Reduce the frequency or amount of fertilization while fixing your watering schedule by adding water only when necessary.