Is a Peace Lily a Low Light Plant? The Answer May Surprise You

If you are looking for a plant that can brighten up your home or office, look no further than the peace lily. This plant can tolerate low light levels and still produce stunning white flowers.

But are these low light conditions enough for their growth and overall health? Keep reading to learn more interesting information about can peace lilies survive in low-light or not?

Is A Peace Lily A Low Light Plant?

Peace lilies are a very popular houseplant. They are renowned for their glossy leaves and ornamental white flowers. Since not much light enters the indoor spaces, many enthusiasts wonder if I can grow plants in these light conditions. 

A peace lily is a low-light plant, but that does not mean that it can grow in complete darkness. A peace lily is a bulb plant that is native to the rainforests of Central and South America, where it grows under the shade of taller trees. 

Therefore, it prefers bright, indirect light that mimics its natural habitat. But they can’t tolerate too much direct sunlight that can scorch its leaves. Though they can grow in the comparatively darker part of your room, consistently too little light can reduce their growth and flowering.

A peace lily can also benefit from artificial light, such as fluorescent or LED lamps, especially in winter or in dark rooms. Artificial light can supplement the natural light and provide your peace lily with enough illumination to photosynthesize and produce energy. So, you gotta be careful about how much sunlight your peace lily needs.

So, I can say a peace lily is a low light plant, but it still needs some indirect light to grow and bloom. The optimal light level for a peace lily is bright, indirect light that mimics its natural environment.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance and air-purifying plant, you might wonder is peace lily a good indoor plant for your home or office.

How Much Light Peace Lily Needs?

Light is the most important factor for all plants. Light is also an important factor for peace lilies because it enables your plant to produce food and energy through photosynthesis. Light also affects their leaf color and flowering. 

If your peace lilies cannot get enough light, they will stop producing chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leaves their green color. So, low light can cause peace lily to leave the light green. And will produce fewer or no flowers. Direct sunlight can also be the cause of dying flowers and scorched and burnt leaves of your peace lily. 

So, providing the right type and amount of light is very crucial for your peace lily plants. But how much light does a peace lily need? 

The right amount of sunlight depends on their surrounding environments and seasons. For example, spring and summer are peace lily’s growing seasons. At this time, peace lilies need at least 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight for proper growth and robust flowering. 

But is a peace lily a low light plant indoors? The answer is yes, even if they need low to moderate light during winter and fall. They are less active and enter a dormant state in this period. You can also reduce the artificial light exposure to 10 to 12 hours per day, as peace lilies do not need as much light in the colder months.

So, if you are living in a warmer area, you should provide your peace lily 6-8 hours of bright indirect light, and for cooler areas, it can thrive in low light too. 

Can peace lily grow without sunlight? Yes, they can also grow without sunlight but you have to set adequate artificial light for them.  

Where Should I Place A Peace Lily In My House?

However, peace lilies are low-light tropical plants that can grow well in various spots in your house.  If you want them to produce more flowers, you should place them in a bright, indirect light location. 

This location can be suitable for your peace lily to grow well: 

In Front Of A Window: 

A window that faces east or west is ideal for a peace lily. Because it will receive moderate to bright indirect light for most of the day. You can use sheer curtains or blinds to filter the light and prevent sunburn. But avoid placing them in front of a south-facing window, as it can receive too much direct sunlight and heat, which can damage your plant. And a north-facing window may not provide enough light for a peace lily to bloom well.

In A Corner Or On A Shelf

Can peace lily grow in low light? Yes, peace lilies can tolerate low light conditions; they can survive in a corner or on a shelf that is away from a window. But it may not produce many flowers and may become leggy and pale. You can supplement the natural light with artificial light sources, such as fluorescent or LED lamps. You can also rotate your plant occasionally to ensure even growth.

In A Bathroom Or A Kitchen:

Your peace lily can also benefit from the high humidity and warmth in a bathroom or a kitchen, as long as it receives enough light. You can place a peace lily near a window or under a bright indoor light in these rooms. 

In A Bedroom Or A Living Room: 

A peace lily can add beauty and elegance to your bedroom or living room, as well as purify the air and create a relaxing atmosphere. You can place a peace lily on a desk, a table, or a stand near a window or a lamp that provides bright, indirect light. You can also place a peace lily beside your bed or sofa if it can fulfill light requirements peace lily. 

The best place for a peace lily in your house depends on your preferences and expectations from the plant. If you want a peace lily to produce more flowers, you should place it in a bright, indirect light location. If you are happy with just the foliage, you can place it in a low light location. 

What If Peace Lily Doesn’t Get Enough Light?

The most important use of light for plants is photosynthesis. Peace lilies uptake water through the roots and take carbon dioxide from the air then it converts light energy into plant food in the leaf chlorophyll. 

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

If a peace lily can’t get enough light, then it won’t conduct this necessary physiological process. As a result, your peace lily doesn’t get their food which is very necessary for maintaining their growth and appearance. 

Their growth will be stunted and also it will produce flowers or no flowers. Their beautiful, glossy, dark green leaves become pale or yellow leaves. Plus, it will show a droopy appearance. Proper bright light is also necessary when you propagate your peace lily. If you don’t take proper action, then it will die gradually. 

Sign Of Peace Lily Not Getting Enough Light

• Leggy and weak stems that reach for more light
• Pale or yellow leaves that lose their green color
• Fewer or smaller blooms that may not open fully
• Drooping even after watering. 

If your peace lily shows any of these signs, then you can be sure that your plants are not getting enough light. You should move your plant immediately to a brighter spot.

How To Ensure Peace Lily Get Right Amount Of Light?

There are two methods to ensure your peace lily gets the right amount of light.

Method no. 1: 

Use your hand as a light meter. Place your hand in the spot where you place your peace lily and look at the shadow it casts. If your hand casts a clear and dark shadow, then the light is too bright for your peace lily. If your hand casts a faint or no shadow, then the light is too dim for your peace lily. On the other hand, if your hand casts a soft and blurry shadow, then the light is just right for your peace lily.

Method no. 2: 

Observe the signs of your peace lily’s health and growth. If you find your peace lilies have dark green leaves, sturdy stems, and regular blooms, then it’s getting enough light. Additionally, a peace lily that gets enough light will produce more flowers and grow faster.

On the other hand, if your peace lily gets too little light it will have pale leaves, leggy growth, and reduced blooming. A peace lily that gets too much light will have brown leaf tips, wilted leaves, and leaf burn. 

And that’s it!  you can ensure your peace lilies are getting enough light. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Last words

At last, You can make a decision that peace lilies are a low light plant. But they can’t grow in a consistent dark corner of your house. 

If you want your peace lily to grow well and flowering frequently then you must place them where it can get enough bright indirect light. 
As a peace lily grower, you should know when and how much light your peace lily needs. By following the steps and tips that I explored in the article you can be able to place your peace lily in the right spot for getting the right amount of light and can enjoy their benefits.