Peace lilly

Will this do better outside?

Yes, of course. No plants prefer to be indoors, which is why Mother Nature grows them Shade or dappled shade - morning (before 9) or evening (after 7) sun should be ok, but expose it to any sun only after it's been sited in open shade (in shade but with open sky above) for several days.

This is another plant that is susceptible to leaf tip and marginal necrosis from high salt levels in the soil, so it is important to fertilize with more frequent weak doses of fertilizer and flush the soil each time you water. If you can't flush the soil when you water w/o risking a prolonged period of saturated soil and its accompanying risk of root rot, then the soil is inappropriately slow for this plant. Watering with rain water, distilled water, or condensate from dehumidifiers is also best for this plant.

Al

so what your saying is ditch the westerly water (you can smell the clorine in it) and bring it out side for awhile

I'm sure the plant would appreciate a summer vacation outdoors and something other than tapwater, yes.

Al

I just went in that room and I noticed som new growth!!

Very interesting -- my peace lily has been in the same container with a moisture retaining peat-based soil for some time now and has been doing well, however it now is getting brown tips and edges and whole leaves are dying ... from the above it seems I should repot it in a dryer soil and take it to the sink for watering so the water drains out ... I do use a weak solution of fertilizer for flowering plants when I water it ...

P.S. -- I used that soil because in a drier soil it wilted a lot ...

..... then just water more often. ;o)

Al

I would be carefull when it comes to a permanent spot outdoors. I have seen where lower light plants still suffer from strong light eposures outdoors. With a spathyphyllum I would agree with tapla to a degree. I would definetly encourage everyone to place houseplants outdoors and slowly adjust the plant to the light I would start by giving the plant one week in each diffrent light situation, however you need to know the specific light requirement for the plant. I would check for the tag on the plant. I always either keep the plant tag or I will find out what it is before I purchase it. Some plants in depsrtment stores or Grocery stores wont have these tags. I will only buy it if I know what it is, or if I can take a pic and have someone I.D. it. I have been growing plants since I was a child. This is my hobby, and I went to college also. For the most part I but plants from a catalog or from an actual greenhouse. I figure it is better to know what the plant needs before you buy it, that way you know you can have a success with it. My mom acclimated a peace lily, but she made the mistake in putting it in full sun, and it killed the plant. I think you should find a light shade spot and leave it there for the summer.

Spathiphyllum would benefit from being outside in the summer, but I'd be very leery of exposing it to direct sun. You can acclimate it to morning sun or very, very late evening sun. Do not expose to direct sun. Move it inside as soon as temperatures begin to drop to about 55º at night. Spaths can survive cold spells, and sometimes will even come back after dying back to the ground in near-freezing temps, but obviously they don't like this much.

Ideally, keep the spath in bright shade, provide it with LOTS of humidity and even water, and fertilize it with a slow-release fertilizer. These guys really thrive with ample moisture. As with all houseplants, flushing fertilizer salt from the soil periodically is a good idea. Once you find a good home for it, you can expect lots of blooms throughout the summer months.

Check out:
http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/PeaceLily.htm

This message was edited Jul 16, 2009 2:31 PM