How to Care for a Closet Plant
Spathiphyllum, also known as the peace lily and closet plant, is a tropical flowering plant belonging to the same family as the anthurium. In fact, the flowers of the closet plant look similar to the anthurium. Generally grown as a houseplant, it does quite well in low-lit areas of the house. It will bloom, between February and April, in white flowers on long stalks. The closet plant is an air purifier and will help to remove toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, from the air in your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Water
- Soil amendments such as peat moss, bark or sand
- Plant misting bottle
- Fertilizer, 20-20-20
Instructions
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Place your closet plant in an area that is at least 5 feet away from the nearest window. Direct sun will burn the leaves and too much light will cause the leaf color to lighten.
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Keep the temperature in the plant's environment between 68 to 85 degrees, and draft-free.
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Improve the soil in the closet plant's pot to make sure that it drains well and is aerated. Amending potting soil with materials such as peat moss, bark and sand will accomplish this.
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Water the closet plant heavily, with room-temperature water, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Over-watering is the biggest problem for this plant. Let the plant tell you when it is thirsty; the leaves will droop a bit, letting you know it's time to water again. Generally, a weekly watering will suffice.
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Mist the plant twice a week with room temperature water in a plant misting bottle. The closet plant needs a somewhat high level of humidity.
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Fertilize your closet plant every two to three months with a diluted (half-strength) solution of 20-20-20 fertilizer. Discontinue fertilizing during the winter.
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Wipe the leaves of the plant with a soft, moist cloth to remove any dust that builds up.
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Re-pot the closet plant every two to three years, with new soil.
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Tips & Warnings
Before watering the plant, allow the water to sit, in an open container, for 24 hours. This will allow the chlorine to evaporate.
Horticulturists at the University of Florida have found that the lack of flowering of the closet plant is common until a plant is 15 months of age. Then, it should flower between February and April.
Parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.
References
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Comments
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Awesome.....maybe now that Grpa Bill is gone I can keep it where it gets better light.
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Hi Angela, I had one of these, we called it a peace lilly - some of it's part are poisonous - better watch Duncan!
