Spathiphyllum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- spath-ee-FIL-um
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Spathiphyllum is a genus of about 40 species of flowering plants commonly called 'Peace Lily'. 'Peace Lily' is a herbaceous perennial typically grown as a houseplant. While it can grow up to 6 ft tall, it more typically grows to 3 ft in an indoor setting. It is popular as a specimen or accent in interior groupings for its deep-green glossy foliage and white blooms that are intermittent in medium lighting and long-lasting. The plant has no specific bloom time, but flowers freely and tolerates heavy shade.
The 'Peace Lily' does best indoors in moist, but not soggy, soil. You should allow the soil to dry between waterings, but not wilt, which causes the leaves to yellow. Use water that is at room temperature and has been allowed to sit so that the chlorine can evaporate. Spathiphyllum grow very well with sub-irrigation and also do well in lower light situations, but prefer bright filtered light. Do not place the plant in direct sun. Fertilize Spathiphyllum at one-quarter of the recommended strength. Over-fertilizing can produce burning of tips and roots. 'Peace lilies' enjoy warm conditions between 68 and 85F during the day and no more than a 10-degree drop at night. The plant requires a large pot and should be kept somewhat pot bound. Re-pot, if necessary in February or March.
The 'Peace Lily' remains acaulescent (appearing to have no stem) as it ages. This is a low-maintenance plant with beautiful glossy green leaves and the unusual ability to blossom in medium light. The pure white flower changes to pale green after 10 days and then remains lovely for at least another month. The NASA Clean Air Study found that Spathiphyllum cleans indoor air of certain environmental contaminants, including benzene and formaldehyde.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Cold and drafty conditions in the 40’s and 50’s will slow growth considerably. Extended periods below 40 can damage leaves, stems, and roots. Mealybugs are probably the most common insect indoors. Because of the wide foliage, cleaning the leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust will help its appearance and remove some pests which tend to gather under the bottom of the leaves.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Spathiphyllum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, Tropical America, Malesia, and Western Pacific
- Edibility:
- Leaves poisonous if eaten in large quantities.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The inflorescence is spadix and spathe with white, sail-like 4 inch to 12 inch blooms above the foliage. The spathe is white to greenish-white, oblong to oblong-lanceolate, and cuspidate. It is concave to flat, has an acuminate tip, and spreads or curves around the spadix. The spadix is greenish-white or cream, shorter than spathe; peduncle exceeding foliage.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are basal rosettes. They are erect, simple, ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, 4 to 25 inches long and 1 to 10 inches wide. They are acuminate, dark green, glossy, rugose, and have a prominent mid-rib often with numerous impressed lateral veins. The petiole is shorter than or equal in length to the blade. No variegation.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Insignificant
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are acaulescent, having no visible above-ground stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- The leaves of the Peace Lily can be poisonous if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include severe pain in the mouth and a burning sensation to the lips, tongue, and throat, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
