Peace Lilies aka White Anthurium, Spathe Flowers
Plants that Detoxify the Air
The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is a beautiful foliage plant that also produces attractive white spathes.
This plant has a high transpiration rate and enjoys the large water reservoir that hydroculture offers. It possesses all the qualities to make it one of the best indoor plants. This plant can be kept best in mid-light to shade.
Effective Remover of Air Pollutants:
The Peace Lily excels in the removal of alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde. Its ability to remove air pollutants and its excellent performance in all categories make it a most valuable houseplant.
Safety Around Pets:
Scientific Name: Spathiphyllum / Araceae
Toxic Principle: Oxalic acid, Druses, Entire Plant, Raphides, Calcium oxalate crystals
Clinical Signs: Vomiting, Rashes, Redness and swelling, Irritation to digestive tract, Pain and burning of mouth, lips, tongue, and other oral surfaces(Ref.: OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences)
Clinical Signs in Birds: Dysphagia, regurgitation, inappetence. If ingested, crystals can cause oral irritation, intense burning, and irritation of the oral cavity.
Peace Lily
Prepared by Marjan Kluepfel, HGIC Information Specialist, and Bob Polomski, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Clemson University - Original Article
Peace lilies are attractive indoor foliage plants that also produce showy white flowers. They are one of the few foliage plants that will flower in low light.
Height / Spread
Most peace lilies grow between 1 to 4 feet tall and wide. The cultivar ‘Sensation’ can reach a height of 6 feet with an equal width.
Ornamental Features
Peace lilies are sturdy plants with glossy, dark green oval leaves that narrow to a point. The leaves rise directly from the soil. These plants also periodically produce lightly fragrant white flowers that resemble calla lilies. The long-lasting flowers start out pale green and slowly turn creamy white as they open.
Culture
Peace lily will flourish in almost any well-drained potting mix. Soil should be kept moist but not soggy. The soil should dry out between waterings. Excessive drying out can cause the plant to wilt and the leaves and edges to yellow. When watering, use water that is at room temperature.
Peace lily will survive low interior light but would prefer bright filtered light. Peace lily should not be placed in direct sun or it will sunburn.
These plants need very little fertilizer. If you fertilize, use a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer such as 20-20-20 every two to three months.
Peace lilies enjoy warm conditions between 68 and 85 ° F during the day and nighttime temperatures about 10 ° F cooler.
Peace lilies have wide leaves that accumulate dust. Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust.
Species and Cultivars
‘Flower Power’: The flowers of this selection are large, well above the foliage, on strong, very upright stems, producing an impressive display of pure white blooms. The foliage is easily recognized over most other peace lilies as it fills the pot with distinctive lance-shaped leaves.
‘Lynise’: The leaves of ‘Lynise’ have a matte finish look to them. This variety produces large quantities of flowers naturally and is a fairly rapid grower.
'Sensation’: This is the largest of all commercially produced peace lilies. The foliage is dark green with a tough, ribbed texture. It is both durable and versatile. Its versatility has made ‘Sensation’ popular even without being in bloom. It will produce well-shaped white flowers intermittently.
‘Starlight’: This cultivar has striking, shiny, tough, dark green foliage.
‘Supreme’: The large, 7-inch, oval, snow-white blooms are held high above a mass of deep green, wide leaves.
‘Wallisii’: This is a small, compact, and vigorous Peace lily that matures at a height of 12 inches. It exhibits delicate, 3-inch blooms.
‘Mauna Loa’: This is one of the medium-sized Peace lilies. This plant will grow to a height of about 2 to 3 feet. Its glossy, green, lance-shaped leaves on 10- to 12-inch stalks are up to 9 inches long and 5 inches wide. The flower stalk can be 15 to 20 inches long and the flowers are up to 4 inches wide.
Problems
Peace lilies have few pest problems. Mealybugs are probably the most common insect indoors. Mites and scales can also be problems. Root and stem diseases are the most common problem and are usually associated with over-watering.
The peace lily is very sensitive to chilling temperatures. Injury varies with the temperature and length of exposure. Try to avoid temperatures below 60 ° F.
Magnesium deficiency can cause plants to become stunted. Leaf tissue between the veins may be yellow while veins remain green. The edges of the leaves can turn brown by overfertilization or by excessive drying.
Lack of flowering usually occurs on plants that are less than a year old or that receive insufficient light.
Prepared by Marjan Kluepfel, HGIC Information Specialist, and Bob Polomski, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Clemson University.
This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied. Common names of pesticides are given as a convenience and are neither an endorsement nor guarantee of the product nor a suggestion that similar products are not effective. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. Follow all directions, precautions, and restrictions that are listed. (New, 9/99)
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