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).
Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum
Does great in low light conditions
Once to twice a week
Regular fast draining
Mildly toxic to your beloved fur babies
She’s here to grab your attention by the horns with her lush leaves, pearly white blooms, and air filtering prowess. She might need more attention than others, but like they say, nothing good comes easy.
