Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

All about the Peace Lily

The Spathiphyllum, also known as Peace Lily, has become a favorite houseplant for many because of its striking looks and is often used as a display plant.

This houseplant is simple and easy to care for. It is perfect for beginners because it is so low maintenance. The combination of dark green leaves with white flowers gives this houseplant a stunning appearance and also makes it the ideal ornamental plant to give your space a tropical look.

Nicknames

• Peace lily
• Spath lily

Different types of the Spathiphyllum

The Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily has multiple types. Below is a list of 18 different types of the Spathiphyllum.

• Piccolino Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘Piccolino’
• Patricia Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘Patricia’
• Little Angel Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘Little Angel’
• Domino Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘Domino’
• Jetty Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘Jetty’
• Mauna Loa Supreme Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa Supreme’
• Clevelandii or Spathiphyllum ‘Clevelandii’
• White Stripe Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘White Stripe’
• Sonia Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘Sonia’
• Power Petite or Spathiphyllum ‘Power Petite’
• Picasso or Spathiphyllum ‘Picasso’
• Allison or Spathiphyllum ‘Allison’
• Annette or Spathiphyllum ‘Annette’
• Figaro or Spathiphyllum ‘Figaro’
• Sensation Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’
• Sebastiano or Spathiphyllum ‘Sebastiano’
• Bongo Bongo or Spathiphyllum ‘Bongo Bongo’
• Wallisii or Spathiphyllum ‘Wallisii’

Origin of the Spathiphyllum

The Spathiphyllum plant is also called Peace Lily. However, it is not really a lily. It is a member of the Araceae family and is native to the rainforests of Venezuela and Colombia.

Spathiphyllum is taken from the Greek words “ spath,” which means “spoon,” and “phyl,” which means “leaves,” referring to the spoon-shaped leaves of the Spathiphyllum.

How to take care of the Spathiphyllum

The Spathiphyllum is not too vulnerable to diseases and pests, except the usual mealybugs, which can be removed just by wiping the plant with a damp cloth. This will also help remove dust. This houseplant is quite forgiving and can grow to 60-101 cm deping on the type.

Watering

The Spathiphyllum will tell you when it needs water. This plant will begin to droop, letting you know that it is time to water it.

This plant is a tough one and can handle dry periods. Use distilled or purified water for the Spathiphyllum as it is sensitive to chlorine. Keep the soil moist, but don’t let it get soggy.

Don’t allow the soil to dry up. When watering, wait for the top of the soil to dry before continuing so the plant doesn’t stand in water. Water this plant frequently in the summer but less in the winter.

Location

If you want your Spathiphyllum to bloom, place it in bright and indirect light. Never place this houseplant in direct sunlight as this will cause the leaves to scorch, resulting in browning of the leaves.

The Spathiphyllum should be placed away from drafts, air conditioners, and vents, as this plant does not do well in cold temperatures.

Additionally, the Peace Lily thrives in temperatures between 18-26°C. Since this houseplant enjoys warmth, it is likely to die in colder temperatures. Also, mist the plant with distilled water during the summertime.

Plant nutrition

When fertilizing the Spathiphyllum, use a balanced fertilizer. Feed the Spathiphyllum once every few weeks. Do not overfeed as this can cause brown spots on the leaves, and under-feeding can slow down growth. There’s no need to fertilize in the winter.

Use soil for your Spathiphyllum that is high-quality. Choose a slightly large pot for your Peace Lily and make sure it has drainage holes. If it outgrows that pot, repot to a wider pot. The spring season is the best time to repot.

Air-purifying

According to research by NASA, the Spathiphyllum has air-purifying properties. This houseplant cleanses the air by eliminating harmful toxic gases from the air like carbon monoxide, benzene, etc. This makes the Spathiphyllum an ideal indoor plant. It filters out toxic chemicals from the air and improves air quality which makes it an excellent choice for placing it in homes and offices.

Toxicity

The Spathiphyllum is toxic to animals and children. This houseplant is poisonous because it contains calcium oxalates, which, if ingested by pets, can cause irritation and swelling in the mouth and the throat of the animals.

Ingesting this houseplant can cause animals to salivate. In case your pet chews on this houseplant, contact a vet immediately.

Propagation of the Spathiphyllum

The Spathiphyllum can be propagated by division or with seeds. But the latter is quite complicated and time-consuming. Early spring is the best time to propagate the Spathiphyllum.

Select a pot and pour high-quality potting soil in it. Take the parent plant out of its original pot. Loosen up the soil from around the roots. Gently separate the roots and look for a cluster of roots that have leaves. With a sharp tool, separate this cluster from the parent plant.

Now pot this new Spathiphyllum in soil and water it. Don’t let the soil get soggy or too wet, and place your new plant in indirect and bright sunlight.