PEACE LILY
SPATHIPHYLLUM WALLISII
The peace lily is a much-loved houseplant, thanks to its spikes of tiny white blooms encased by a white spathe. This elegant plant will bring a touch of sophistication to a room with light shade and moderate humidity. Reputed to reduce air pollutants, it’s a popular choice for offices.
HEIGHT 24in (60cm)
SPREAD 20in (50cm)
FLOWERS Spike of white blooms
FOLIAGE Glossy, dark green
LIGHT Filtered sun/light shade
TEMPERATURE 54–75°F (12–24°C)
CARE Easy
PLACE OF ORIGIN Southeast Asia
WARNING! All parts are toxic; gloves required when handling
CARE
When buying peace lilies, look for plants in bud so that you can enjoy the spectacular pure white blooms for as long as possible. Plant in a commercial potting mix and keep moist in spring and summer. As fall and winter approach, let the surface dry out before rewatering. Place the peace lily on a tray of moist, expanded clay granules to increase humidity around the plant. Feed every other week in the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer. The arching leaves shoot from individual stems directly from the potting mix and are joined in spring and sometimes again in the fall by the flowers. Once the flowers have faded, cut off the flower stem right at the base of the plant. Keep the leaves healthy and looking glossy by wiping them with a damp cloth from time to time.
Peace lily’s elegant shape makes it the perfect plant for a bedside table.
PROBLEM SOLVING The one thing that peace lilies will not tolerate is a cold draft. This is fatal for them. An early sign that a plant might be suffering is black or brown edges to the leaves. To remedy this, move the plant to a slightly brighter, less drafty spot and trim off the marked part of the leaf.
DISPLAY
When fresh, the flowers are whiter than white, but after a few days will turn slightly green. The contrast between the pure white flowers and the glossy, dark green foliage is what makes this plant so elegant. Peace lilies are a popular choice for a mixed planter of houseplants, as the white flowers brighten up the darker foliage of other plants that are tolerant of light shade. Place in a container with a Chinese evergreen and a trailing prayer plant.
The central spike holds the flowers; the spathe offers a pure white backdrop.
Houseplants A–Z | PEACE LILY
ALSO TRY
If the rooms in your house only have light shade, try this distinctive fern:
- Crocodile fern (Microsorum musifolium ‘Crocodyllus’), height 24in (60cm). This plant has glossy fronds that are magnificently patterned like crocodile skin. It’s ideal for a room with high humidity, such as a steamy kitchen or bathroom, but will need space for its fronds.