SPATHIPHYLLUM (PEACE LILY)
Spathiphyllum, some of whose species are referred to as the ‘Peace Lily’, is a genus of around 40 species of tropical flowering plants native to Southeast Asia and the tropical Americas. Their leaves are often quite large, with a maximum of 65 centimetres long and 25 centimetres broad. The flower of the Peace Lily is equally large, with a stark white (sometimes tinted yellow or green) cloak known as a ‘Spathe’ shielding a large spike called a ‘Spadix’.
New owners should note that the very small growths on the ‘Spadix’ are actually the flowers of the Peace Lily – the ‘Spathe’ is not a petal and the ‘Spadix’ is not a stamen. When kept as a houseplant, the Peace Lily can improve air quality, it is especially good at filtering formaldehyde, so it’s great for at-home workshops with lots of chemicals!
The Peace Lily is a tropical plant known for being quite low maintenance. It likes a great deal of shade and certainly shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight, but this won’t be a problem for most owners. It should only need a single weekly watering but should be misted with water daily if the surrounding air is dry. However, owners should note that the Peace Lily may not be a good balcony plant in certain climates, as it cannot handle temperatures under 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees C).