Peace Lily Care Information
Peace lilies make an ideal office plant, surviving on very little light and purifying the surrounding air better than most other houseplants. Keeping the peace lily warm, watered and out of direct sunlight ensures its growth for years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Significance
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Peace lilies, unlike most houseplants, flower in low-light conditions. The peace lily, known scientifically as Spathiphyllum, produces creamy white flowers on long stems amid dark green leaves that can grow to more than a foot in length. Peace lilies are one of the few houseplants that flower in low-light conditions, according to the Clemson University extension service web site.
Peace lilies purify the air from indoor pollutants, including formaldehyde, other chemicals and chemical odors, and smoke, at the same time that they add more oxygen to the air, making the peace lily one of the most beneficial houseplants, according to a 1989 National Aeronautics and Space Administration study still in use.
Care
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Pots of peace lilies should not be allowed to dry out. The PeaceLily.net website recommends watering the plant twice a week and occasionally spraying the leaves with a mister to prevent them from turning brown.
The soil should be thoroughly drenched and then allowed to dry between waterings. Generally, peace lilies do not require fertilizer, but if the soil is old or of a poor quality, an all-purpose water-soluble plant food should be applied every two weeks during the summer.
Dead stems should be trimmed back after the white flowers die. The peace lily continues to bloom at 4- to 12-month intervals, depending on conditions.
In warm climates or during summer months, peace lilies can be left outside but need to be kept in shady areas and moved back inside before frost. The Plant Care website recommends setting the pot in a pebble-filled saucer and keeping the saucer filled with water to increase humidity around the peace lily.
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Origins
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Peace lilies originated in Columbia and Venezuela and parts of Asia. They were introduced to Europe in 1870, according to the PeaceLily.net website. The plant grows wild in tropical rain forests under the shade of the jungle canopy.
Scientists have identified about 40 species of peace lilies. The leaves grow up to two feet in length and 9 inches in width. The egg-shaped upright flower petal surrounds a long, textured, white, yellow and green stem. Flowers emerge green in color and turn white as they fully open.
Considerations
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Too much heat, fertilizer or water cause peace lily leaves to turn brown and can kill the plant. Cold temperatures and frost also kill the plants.
Use a soft, damp cloth to gently remove dust from the peace lily's wide leaves.
Warning
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Peace lilies are mildly toxic to animals and humans if ingested, according to the Plant Care website.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit peace lily image by Ronnie Howard from Fotolia.com peace lily image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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My peace lily plants have green flowers instead of white. Why is this and is there anything I can do to change this?
