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Is Peace Lily a Succulent? Is It Perennial? (Explained)

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Peace lilies are considered to be amazing houseplants and are sought after by many due to their low-maintenance nature. They can also brighten up your space by purifying the air around you.

If you are looking towards buying one then you may want to be well informed about their species and background to take better care of them.

Is peace lily a succulent?

Peace lilies are not succulents. Succulents have thick, engorged and distinct leaves to store water in them. As a result, they are able to adapt and survive in dry weather conditions. Peace lilies are only drought-tolerant, but not adapted to survive harsh conditions like succulents.

Are peace lilies succulents?

Peace lilies are not succulents. They are tropical and evergreen plants that thrive indoors if you are successful in replicating their ideal conditions. They have glossy and green foliage and unlike succulents, they do not have specialized water-storing abilities.

Succulents are adapted to survive dry conditions because of their complex water-storing capabilities. Instead of storing water in their roots like regular plants, they store it in their leaves. This results in them having thick and fleshy leaves which peace lilies do not have. 

Even though peace lilies will do better if they are underwatered compared to when they are overwatered, they will not survive very low moisture. Their leaves will start drooping and they will not survive.

Succulents can easily endure low moisture without showing any negative side effects. 

What type of plant is peace lily?

Peace lilies are from the Araceae family. They are from the Spathiphyllum Wallisii species. More commonly known as peace lilies, they are now grown as indoor household plants due to their air-purifying abilities.

They are very attractive due to their deep green-colored foliage and statement flowers. Even though they can grow to the whooping height of around six feet, if you raise them indoors they tend to reach only three feet in height. 

Peace lilies will do their best if you can mimic their natural environment. They come from tropical climate zones. This means they will thrive in moist soil and dappled sunlight.

It depends on the aesthetic you want because more light will result in their beautiful white flowers blooming. On the other hand, if you just want your plant to have the traditional green foliage only then low sunlight will do the job for you.  

What kind of plant is succulent?

Succulents are dominantly from the Crassulaceae, Cactaceae, Aizoaceae families. They are plants with thick and engorged tissue cells in their leaves. Their leaves are very fleshy in nature and it is to help them adapt to storing water in their leaves.

However, there are some succulents that do not have leaves or have very small leaves so they store water in their stems.

They are native to the desert regions and their unique water storing system alongside their wide roots help them to survive in very dry conditions for long periods of time. 

They come in a lot of shapes, colors, and sizes. They can adapt to various living conditions. Due to their unique leaf designs and easy-to-maintain properties, many succulents are now adorned as house plants.

What is the difference between peace lilies and succulents?

Even though both succulents and peace lilies are easy to maintain and thus are great as houseplants, there are some key differences between them. Before deciding to get either you should be well informed about both to see which one suits you better. 

Leaves: 

The most notable features of succulents are their chunky and fleshy leaves. This feature is what makes them the most desirable and attractive to any plant lover. Some also have a white surface on top known as a glaucous bloom.

There are also ones like cactuses that contain spines that end up reflecting the sun’s glare. They also have thick stems that take over when it comes to photosynthesis. 

On the other hand, peace lilies are plants with beautiful green foliage like other traditional plants. With enough sunlight, they will produce beautiful white flowers. They do not have chunky leaves like succulents and are larger in size.

They can grow up to six feet and are great at purifying the air around you. 

Storing of water: 

Another main difference between peace lilies and succulents is their water-storing abilities. Succulents have thick leaves and stems that allow them to store water. They are naturally adapted to survive in very dry conditions and this is their way to contain moisture.

Their stomata remain closed during the day and open at night to avoid the water from drying out. 

Unlike succulents, peace lilies do not have such a high moisture content. They will require consistent watering to avoid wilting and drying.

Peace lilies get water from their roots whereas succulents can store and thus derive water from anywhere starting from their roots to their leaves and even their stems too. 

Surviving conditions: 

Peace lilies come from tropical backgrounds which means they grow well in low light conditions with the proper amount of water. They are adapted to rising on the forest floor and are thus content in usual home temperatures.

They will not thrive if you overwater them and underwatering them for long periods of time will result in wilt or life loss. They are drought-tolerant, but not drought resistant. They will not tolerate very dry weather conditions. 

Succulents on the other hand need more light than we get indoors. They require very sunny conditions which is why more often than not you will realize they do not do that well as indoor plants.

They also have thicker leaves to retain water which is why they are drought resistant and will survive days without water. However, they do require sufficient water in their roots to absorb it and thus retain it in their leaves and stems for times of a plausible drought.

They might wither if your house does not have enough sunlight and proper ventilation. 

Can I use succulent soil for peace lily?

Yes, you can use succulent soil for peace lilies. Peace lilies are quite low-maintenance houseplants and will not have much demand from you. As long as you use soil that is light, airy, loose, and contains all the necessary nutrients you will be good to go.

However, do remember to modify and adjust the soil according to your plant’s needs. They will require proper drainage as well as aeration so that there is not any chance of pest invasions. 

Peace lilies thrive the best in potting soils with the proper and rich organic material since they are from tropical backgrounds. As long as you can mimic its natural conditions you will have a healthy plant with beautiful flowers. 

Are peace lily perennials?

Peace lilies are known as tropical perennials. They require low maintenance and as long as you can mimic their natural environment, they can live for years on end and bloom beautiful white flowers. They require low sunlight and watering when their soil starts to dry up. 

Are peace lilies perennials or annuals?

Peace lilies are houseplants that are quite low maintenance and thus very easy to take care of. They come from the forest floor and are known as tropical and graceful perennials.

These tropical plants will not have much demand from you as long as you can mimic their tropical conditions which are not that difficult. 

If you practice taking good care of them they will serve you and purify the air around you for years to come. They will bloom pretty flowers over and over again. They require low lights, but if you want the flowers to bloom you will have to provide them with some indirect sunlight.

They also require you to water them often and keep them moist, but beware to not overwater them as it will end up harming them. 

How long do peace lily plants live?

You cannot predict how long a plant will live as it depends on how you care for them. Peace lilies are quite easy to take care of and are of low maintenance.

This means that they are considered to be perennials provided you are able to mimic their tropical conditions and take proper care of them. They will live on and bloom flowers over and over again. 

However, if you are not able to take proper care of them and slack off then they might end up living for four to five years on average. 

Can peace lily survive winter?

Peace lilies are tropical plants. This means that they thrive in indoor temperatures and are not likely to survive colder conditions. You must ensure to keep your peace lily away from air conditioners and windows or doors that are not insulated during winter months.

Any temperature below 40 degrees will harm your plant and cause it to lose life

Are peace lilies small plants?

No, peace lilies are not small plants. Even if you keep them indoors they can reach a height of around sixteen inches to two feet. If you keep them outdoors their leaves can reach up to six feet in height. 

Is peace lily a lucky plant?

Peace lilies are considered fortune or lucky plants by many people. The reason why this nickname is derived is because of their purifying abilities. They are able to clean off the contaminants around you and thus are considered lucky house plants. 

Is peace lily a philodendron?

Peace lilies are not philodendrons. However, both of them come from the same family known as Aroids. They are also both tropical plants but there are many varieties of philodendrons that are more exotic and hard to take care of. 

Is peace lily a bulb?

Peace lilies are not bulbs as they do not have fleshy leaves and stems. They are also not monocotyledons. 

Peace lilies are not succulents as they are very different in nature compared to the complex water storing properties of succulents. Peace lilies are tropical houseplants that are considered to be perennially provided you mimic their natural growing environment to the best of your abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does Peace Lily Clean the Air?

Do Peace Lilies Like Coffee Grounds?

Can You Propagate Peace Lily From Cutting?

Can Peace Lily Grow Indoors?

Is Peace Lily Toxic to Pet Rabbits, Cats, Dogs, or Fish?

Can Peace Lily Grow in Shade?

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