The one place you should never put a peace lily — and why

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A peace lily is the ultimate spring houseplant, and I won't be hearing otherwise. They make a great gift, too; they're low-maintenance and don't require heaps of watering.

There are places we'd avoid placing your peace lily to guarantee the best bloom possible, as this is a fuss-free plant, but only if you get its placement right — house it in the wrong spot, and you'll soon discover scorched leaves.

The peace lily brings a world of benefits to your home or apartment. Not only will it help purify the air you breathe, but its abundance of green leaves will add life and color to your space. You might automatically think to place this plant on a sunny windowsill. Wrong! It really needs a humid environment, like a kitchen or toilet. Here's what else to consider if you want your peace lily to thrive — we're talking shiny, green leaves and perfect white petals.

Placement matters

Peace lily plant in a shaded corner — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Not only are there no-go zones for your peace lily to help it thrive, but it's also worth remembering that these plants are toxic to pets. So, yours needs to be well out of the way of curious cats and dopey dogs. This could narrow your options a little.

A north or east-facing window will ensure this plant really thrives. It does not need direct sunlight — this will damage its leaves.

Moreover, you won't want to place this plant on a north or east-facing windowsill if there's a radiator below it. The drastic temperature changes can really upset a peace lily.

What room should I choose?

A bathroom or kitchen is great because these places tend to be quite humid, but this doesn't mean peace lilies can't survive anywhere else. If your house isn't too humid, you can still own a peace lily, just make sure that you mist it with water now and then. Or, you could invest in a plant humidifier like this tiny one from Amazon, which is only $9.99.

Avoid drafts, too. Don't go placing it in your entryway, beside your front door, which is opened 10 times a day. The same goes for your back door.

Other things to consider

Peace lily plant close up — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

You don't need to water your peace lily every day — and never let it sit in wet soil, as they're prone to root rot, which can be the be-all and end-all of this plant.

You can buy a specialized peace lily fertilizer on Amazon. This can reverse yellowing and promote strength in stems. You can use it with every watering, but it needs to be diluted with water.

Come spring, you'll want to keep an eye on your plant and deadhead any flowers that are fading.

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Annie is a freelancer at Tom's Guide. She's been an Editor at various home magazines for 7 years — reviewing and writing about everything from cleaning products to air fryers and mattresses. Annie started her career at Real Homes as Deals Editor in 2018 and by 2020 she was the UK Shopping Editor at Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, and Ideal Home. She was in charge of the majority of eCommerce content on these sites, including reviews and buying guides. Now, as a freelancer, she writes features, reviews, and guides for several brands including BBC Good Food, Ideal Home, and Parade Home & Garden.

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