Peace lily
The white spathe beside the spadix is often mistaken for a flower, though in aroids it accompanies the inflorescence. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) forms a clump of basal leaves with no visible stem.
Leaf and inflorescence structure
The plant has no visible aboveground stem: leaves emerge in a clump from a short rhizome. The leaf blade is undivided, oval to lance-shaped, with a prominent midrib and fine side veins.
What is often called a flower is botanically an inflorescence—a spadix with a spathe at its base. The spathe is longer than the spadix and may be white or greenish. After flowering, a white spathe quickly turns green.
- a spadix bearing tiny bisexual flowers
- a spathe at the base of the inflorescence
- leaf stalks with a sheath near the leaf blade
These features are typical of the aroid family. It is the inflorescence, not a single petal, that gives the plant its familiar silhouette.
Origin and name
The species is native to Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. The genus Spathiphyllum is associated with damp and swampy forests and the banks of rivers and streams, so indoors the plant responds best to even moisture without waterlogging.
The Ukrainian name meaning "women's happiness" is a folk and trade name, not a botanical one. It became established because of the white spathe and cultural ideas about well-being in the home.
The scientific genus name comes from Greek words relating to a spathe and a leaf. This aptly describes the appearance of the inflorescence, whose spathe looks like a separate leaflike part.
Light and temperature
Growth requires good indirect light. Direct sun can scorch the leaf blades, so shade the plant on a bright windowsill.
The most active growth is reported at +22…+23 °C. This is a warmth-loving plant: temperatures below +18 °C and drafts are undesirable.
| Condition | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Bright indirect light | supports growth and inflorescence formation |
| Direct sun | can damage leaf blades |
| Drafts | weaken this warmth-loving plant |
A spot near an east-facing window usually meets these requirements. If the window is very sunny, protection from direct rays matters more than distance alone.
Watering and potting mix
Water generously during the growing period, but do not let water collect around the roots. In winter, water moderately, keeping the potting mix slightly moist.
If the root ball dries out completely, the leaves soon droop. Constantly wet potting mix is also harmful, especially in a pot without drainage.
- loam
- leaf mold
- peat
- well-rotted manure
- sand
In the traditional mix, these ingredients are used in a ratio of 2:1:1:1:1. Charcoal and crushed brick can be added to the potting mix, and drainage is needed at the bottom of the pot.
Repotting and propagation
Repot young plants every spring. Move mature plants to a larger pot as needed, when the roots become crowded in the old container.
The easiest method of vegetative propagation is to divide the clump during spring repotting. Tip cuttings and seed propagation are also described, but seeds are used less often.
- divide the clump in spring
- root tip cuttings
- sow seeds
After division, each section must have its own growing point and roots. Avoid moving the plant into an overly large pot, as moist potting mix takes longer to dry out.
Flowering and dormancy
The inflorescence forms on a flower stalk equal to or longer than the leaf stalk. The spadix consists of tiny flowers, while the spathe simply accompanies it.
Flowering usually occurs in spring and lasts several weeks, sometimes repeating. Light, steady moisture, and regular feeding are important for repeat flowering.
From spring to fall, feed the plant once a week with an all-purpose fertilizer or a fertilizer for flowering plants. At other times, reduce feeding to once every 2-3 weeks.
Indoors, dormancy falls in October-January. Water more cautiously during this time, but do not leave the potting mix completely dry.
Why leaves turn yellow and dry out
Drooping leaves most often indicate a lack of moisture. Yellow or dry edges can appear after either drying out or overwatering, so check the potting mix as well as the leaves.
Brown spots are sometimes linked to excess nutrients. The pests most often mentioned for this plant are thrips, mealybugs, and spider mites.
- drooping leaves—lack of moisture
- yellow edges—potting mix too dry or waterlogged
- dry tips—dry air or irregular watering
- brown spots—excess nutrients
- deformed areas—check for thrips, mealybugs, and mites
A single symptom rarely tells the whole story without checking the growing conditions. First assess the moisture in the potting mix, drainage, position at the window, and the undersides of the leaf blades.
- Light
- bright indirect light
- Temperature
- +22…+23 °C
- Watering
- generous in summer
- Soil
- mix with sand
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Cats and dogs
- mildly toxic
- Native range
- Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia
Care
Peace lily grows best in a warm spot with indirect light and an evenly moist potting mix. The main risks indoors are drying out, waterlogging, and cold drafts.
- Light
- Provide bright indirect light. Needs good light without direct sun. Shade the plant on a bright windowsill.
- Temperature
- Keep at +22…+23 °C during growth. A warmth-loving plant; growth suffers below +18 °C. Avoid drafts.
- Watering
- Water generously in summer. Water moderately in winter. Do not let the root ball dry out completely, but avoid standing water around the roots.
- Soil
- Use a mix with sand. Loam, leaf mold, peat, well-rotted manure, and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:1:1; drainage is essential.
- Feeding
- Feed weekly from spring to fall. Use an all-purpose fertilizer or a fertilizer for flowering plants. At other times, feed every 2-3 weeks.
- Leaves
- Mist frequently. The plant comes from humid environments. Drooping leaves often signal a lack of moisture.
- Repotting
- Repot young plants every spring. Repot young plants annually in spring. Move mature plants to a larger pot as needed.
Botany
4 ill.- Family
- Araceae
- Genus
- Spathiphyllum
- Species
- Spathiphyllum wallisii
- Author and year
- Regel
- Life form
- herbaceous perennial
Peace lily belongs to the family Araceae and the genus Spathiphyllum. The species Spathiphyllum wallisii has a short rhizome, and its leaves form a basal clump with no visible stem.
The inflorescence consists of a spadix and a spathe, a typical aroid feature. The white spathe turns green after flowering, so a change in color does not always indicate disease.
The sap contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. The plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs: chewing it may cause irritation of the mucous membranes, drooling, or vomiting.
How it differs from similar plants
ZZ plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia
- Peace lily is recognizable by the white spathe beside the spadix and its clump of basal leaves, while the apparent "stems" of zamioculcas are compound leaves.
Monstera Monstera deliciosa
- Peace lily grows in a clump with no visible stem, while monstera has a climbing growth habit and develops large, split leaf blades with age.
Frequently asked questions
- Why are the leaves turning yellow?
- Most often because of incorrect watering: drying out or waterlogging. Check the moisture in the potting mix and the drainage.
- Why are the leaf tips drying out?
- Dry air or irregular watering may be the cause. The plant responds better to higher humidity and watering that keeps it from drying out.
- Why isn't it flowering?
- Too little light, incorrect watering, or insufficient feeding often prevent flowering. Flowering is more common in spring and sometimes repeats.
- Can I keep it at home if I have a cat?
- The plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Sap containing calcium oxalates irritates the mucous membranes when the plant is chewed.
- How often should I repot it?
- Repot young plants every spring. Move mature plants to a larger pot when the roots become crowded.
