Fast Facts About the Peace Lily Plant
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum
Popularly known as Spath, Mauna Loa, or peace lily
Plant Family: Araceae
Country of origin: Colombia and Venezuela
Toxicity: May be poisonous to humans, cats, and dogs
Known benefit: NASA-certified natural air purifier for benzene and formaldehyde.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 11 and 12
A truly low-maintenance and stylish indoor plant, it is no wonder why many fall head over heels for peace lily plants. Scientifically called Spathiphyllum, which comes from the ancient Greek words “spath”(spoon) and “phyl” (leaves).
This flowering plant genus is from the Araceae (Arum) family. They are originally from the lush tropical rainforests of Venezuela and Colombia and was only popularized first in Europe in 1870.
Plant Meaning and Symbolism
Because it blooms with white lily-like flowers, the peace lily is frequently associated with purity, prosperity, innocence, peace, and sympathy. Feng shui experts are known to recommend putting peace lily plants at home and in the workplace to strike balance, reduce tension, and attract positive energy.
Indoor peace lilies also make thoughtful plants gifts to express sympathy to someone who has recently suffered the loss of a loved one. They are also good starter plants for anyone who wants to start taking care of plants at home.
NASA Approved Indoor Plant
The peace lily is one of the many indoor plants specifically mentioned in NASA’s Clean Air Act Study. This plant has been proven to effectively filter out indoor air pollutants, such as trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and ammonia. These chemicals are sucked, absorbed, and broken down on to the leaves and the topsoil of the plant. A pot or two of lovely peace lily plants also boosts moisture in the air.
Other notable air-purifying indoor plants approved by NASA includes orchid plants, spider plants, Dracaena, Ficus, Boston fern, ZZ plants, and snake plant.
Common Types of Peace Lily Plant
There are 40 different species of peace lily flowering plants that you can choose from. Here are some of the most common types of peace lily grouped according to size.
Small Peace Lilies
- Spathiphyllum ‘Power Petite’ a small type of peace lily that grows 15 inches maximum.
- Spathiphyllum wallisii is another dwarf peace lily variety that grows 15 inches tops but comes with longer, rippled leaves.
Medium Peace Lily Plants
- Spathiphyllum ‘Clevelandii’ grows as high as 3 feet and a spread of 2 to 3 feet. It has uniquely long foliage that can reach 18 inches in length.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Mojo Lime’ is another middle-sized peace lily that has lime-green foliage.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Domino’ is a medium-size variety with beautiful leaves with white variegation.
Large Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ is the biggest peace lily plant sold in the market. It can reach a towering height of 6 feet with leaves that can go up to 20 inches long. There is a slightly smaller version of this called ‘Sensation Mini.”
How to Take Care of Your Peace Lily Plant Indoors
Put your peace lily that gets ample amount of light.
Keep it away from direct sunlight, which can cause burning in the leaves and flowers. Like in orchid plants, yellowing in the foliage is a tell-tale sign that your peace lily is being exposed to too much light. A certified robust indoor plant, do not fret if your home does not have big windows for natural light as peace lilies are known to thrive under fluorescent light.
Peace lily loves a cool but not cold environment.
Maintain an indoor room temperature of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. Do not put them near drafty windows.
Keep the soil moist most of the time but do not overwater your peace lily plant.
The browning on the tips of the leaves suggests that you have an irregular watering schedule. Observe your plant and determine how many days it takes before it dries up. Create a watering schedule according to your observations and stick to it. Some plant parents wait for their peace lily to slightly droop before they water to make sure that they are not overwatering.
Water with filtered water if at all possible.
There are some types of indoor plants that are sensitive to chemicals found in regular tap water. The peace lily is an excellent example of this. Use filtered water when watering your peace lily plant. Other indoor plant growers, on the other hand, swear by the effectiveness of rainwater and snow water as an alternative. Simply collect rain or snow in a clean bucket, cover with a lid, and store for future use.
Mist for high humidity.
Peace lilies are from humid tropical rainforests. You can mimic this environment by misting the leaves in the morning or by putting the whole plant pot on top of a basin half filled with gravel and water.
Pluck wilted leaves and flowers regularly.
The same with orchids, the plant still directs energy and resources to wilted leaves and flowers. This is why it is best to give your peace lily plant a trim every now and then for better growth.
How to Help Your Peace Lily to Bloom
Basically, peace lilies kept in low-lit environments will not bloom as profusely compared to those that receive an adequate amount of light. They are already pretty with their shiny, dark green leaves, but if you want to see your peace lily plant to flower, it is advisable to move it to a new spot around the house that gets plenty of natural light. For example, a south-facing window.
Peace lilies do not require a lot of fertilizing. However, to encourage it to bloom, you can give it a fertilizer specifically for flowering plants, which contains high levels of phosphorous essential for producing flowers.
Elegant Indoor Plants in Los Angeles
Ready to go plant shopping?
Orchid Republic is a local floral boutique in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles. Aside from exquisite orchid plants and chic flower arrangements, we also offer an extensive collection of beautiful and easy-care indoor plants that are specifically selected by our plant experts to suit your busy and modern lifestyle. Our charming indoor plants are certified low-maintenance, thrive in low-light indoor environments, and come in elegant planters in different sizes to fit limited space and suit any interior design theme.
Visit our website or drop by our boutique from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM to check out our stunning plants. For a free consultation regarding plant lease, installation, and maintenance, please call us at 818 210 0418 or send us an email at nfo@orchidrepublic.com.