The peace lily (Spathiphyllum, also called as such) is regarded as one of the most popular houseplants from around the globe. It is easy to understand why so many households have a peace lily in the house given its picturesque white flowers and its ability to survive with little light. That is why this article seeks to give thorough information concerning peace lily facts that may be leniently overlooked, including where it came from and how to take care of it.
Of all the other peaceful lily facts, its origin comes up as one of the most embarrassing. Peace lilies are native to the warm and humid tropical wetlands of Central and South America. This background explains their preference for indirect light and their tolerance for low-light indoor environments. In their natural environment, peace lilies are blanket plants and hydric extensions of many layers of bigger trees.
You know the phrase “peace lily” makes you sound like a calm, peaceful person, and if you’re wondering why that’s so? There’s an explanation. They are, when in flower, white, spathe-like floral structures which give the impression of a white flag which signifies peace. The peace lily may not be considered a true lily; such symbolism has rendered it a widely used house and office plant as well as in funerals.
Peace lilies are among the easiest plants to take care of, and that is one of their appealing features. They are ideal for people who do not have a green thumb or for those who are busy and want some plants around the house but do not want the work of taking care of them.
Light Requirements: Peace lilies grow well in low to medium indirect light, but are not fond of bright light; however, when exposed to it, more blooms will appear.
Watering: The best watering regime is to keep peace lily soil moist, not overly wet. Avoid drying out completely if it’s not necessary to increase the moisture excess; shun excessive watering because it may make peace lilies prone to root rot.
Humidity: As they are tropical plants, peace lilies thrive in humid conditions. If the environment within the house is dry, spraying the leaves from time to time will be beneficial for the plant.
Temperature: Most suitable temperatures for peace lilies range from 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C); thus, they can be kept in an indoor environment comfortably.
It could be said that one of the strange and interesting peace lily facts is the way they inform their caregivers of their water deficiency. When your peace lily starts wilting, for instance, the healthy leaves will tell you this is the time to water. As soon as you water it, within hours, if not in minutes, you will see it responding. I love peace lilies for that because they respond the fastest among all houseplants.
Another essential peace lily fact that has been responsible for the widespread popularity of the flower is its air purification quality. The peace lily was also one of the plants experimented on by NASA in the Clean Air Study. So what were the findings? They found that peace lilies are perfect clinical plants in the elimination of airborne pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. This means that they are not only ornamental plants; they also enhance the quality of the air inside homes and even offices.
For followers of feng shui, peace lilies are regarded as well-known plants that are capable of improving energy in a space and bringing order to the space. Thanks to their beauty, peace lilies are oftentimes put in locations where peace and balance are wanted since their white flowers connote peace and cleanliness. Even if you do not practice feng shui, the peace lily is a flowering plant that can easily beautify and calm an interior space.
When it comes to peace lilies, there are some myths; therefore, let’s take a closer look at the most common ones. Let us bust a few:
Straight to the point, yes, but a bit more explanation is in order. These plants do have a high calcium oxalate content and therefore can be harmful to dogs and humans if consumed. They are not life-threatening, but they may irritate the mouth, throat, and stomach. Children who are a little more free-spirited and pets should be kept away from the leaves and flowers of the peace lily.
Another peace lily fact that a lot of people may be surprised to learn is that these plants can bloom more than once a year. Although peace lilies are quite particularly known for their beautiful white flowers, which are mostly observed throughout spring for a few weeks. Given enough attention to your peace lily, it is possible to have flowers in every month of the year.
When a peace lily matures, it may have outgrown its pot. One such peace lily fact you need to appreciate is that these plants generally relish being a little bit root-bound. On the other hand, however, when the roots grow out through the drainage holes or when there’s a huge amount of water the plant constantly needs, it’s time to change to a different pot.
When repotting, take a container that is a size up and has drainage. For the potting of the plant, use a potting mixture that doesn’t have too much compaction. Spring is the right time to re-pot a houseplant because the roots will have time to settle down when the plant is active.
Another interesting peace lily fact is that there are several varieties to choose from. While the traditional peace lily is the most common, here are a few others:
Spathiphyllum ‘Domino’: The leaf appearance in this variety is particularly interesting due to the presence of white markings.
Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’: A variety that is characterized by big, dark green leaves that can grow up to six feet tall, which is perfect for big rooms.
Spathiphyllum ‘Petite’: This is a dwarf variety of peace lily, as the name suggests, and is good for putting on the tabletops or for tabletop decoration.
Like any of the plants, peace lilies can show some problem areas. Here are some commonly encountered problems and their solutions:
Excessive moisture or a lot of direct light can cause leaf yellowing. Make sure you are not overwatering the peace lily and it is not exposed to direct scorching sun.
When you see the tips of leaves start to turn brown, it means that there is little to no humidity, or you are using tap water with a high level of fluoride in it. If necessary, mist the plant more often or use water that has been purified for this.
If your peace lily or spathiphyllum is not blooming, perhaps it is due to a low level of light. Try changing its position to a brighter place, but not directly under sunlight, as it may damage the leaves.
To sum up, peace lilies are not only appealing and low-maintenance plants; they provide additional benefits like cleansing the air and Feng Shui principles. From humid tropical forests to houseplants, these plants have a lot to offer. It does not matter if you are a pro or a rookie plant person; knowing these peace lily facts will let you appreciate and take care of your plant properly.
Abiding by the instructions, the peace lily can remain a striking and peaceful decoration in the house for many years to come.
The Peace Lily, with its elegant white blooms and lush green leaves, purifies the air and symbolizes nature’s calming beauty.
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