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While peace lily flowers, technically known as spathes, are a specialised, hooded leaf, they are undeniably beautiful to look at. Thankfully, I now have "several months" to enjoy the white petal-like additions, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). This is because, once the flower-like petals emerge (those that surround a central cream-coloured spike), they will continue to "create a striking display that lasts for several months".

So, how did I encourage my peace lily houseplant to flower this year? The answer is remarkably straightforward - and it all comes down to where I positioned it. For the past year, I have kept my peace lily houseplant in the kitchen, and there are numerous reasons why this single location has produced such lovely spathes.

Firstly, peace lilies flourish in humid conditions and, given that I cook quite frequently, the steam generated from preparing evening meals has created the ideal atmosphere.

Secondly, my kitchen faces north-east, meaning the houseplant receives indirect light - much as it would in its natural habitat on the tropical rainforest floor.

The experts at Patch Plants elaborated: "Most at home on the ground of the South American rainforest, peace lilies receive constant drips of rainwater and dappled sunlight through the canopies above."

I also ensure I water my plant with cooled-down boiled tap water, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend following this particular step.

The experts noted: "Tap water can be harmful to peace lilies, so it's best to use rainwater. Try leaving an empty bottle outside your window to catch raindrops." Regrettably, living higher up in a flat with no outdoor space makes collecting rainwater rather hard for me.

An alternative would be to use distilled water, which may well be necessary to stop the lustrous green leaves from developing brown, crispy tips.

There's also the issue of spotty green foliage, which typically suggests a nutrient deficiency. This simply means that now is the ideal moment to feed a peace lily houseplant fertiliser to keep it flourishing throughout spring and summer.

With any luck, the peace lily may produce a second bloom in early autumn, provided the correct steps are taken now. However, one step that's absolutely essential is keeping the peace lily plant in the kitchen.

A typical peace lily lifespan extends to around five years, leaving a couple more years remaining, though when properly cared for, they can even survive for decades.