Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco

Just slip your plant’s nursery pot into a decorative glazed urn for a dressed-up look.

S is for “Spathiphyllum.” It’s also for “simple.” And this wonderful group of tropical plants is simply sensational indoors. Even better, spaths (as they’re often called by horticulturists) are easy to care for and grow in the home.

Chances are you’ve probably seen spaths growing in all kinds of interior spaces, from malls and atriums to offices, and of course, homes. Commonly known as peace lily, these beauties are wonderful choices for medium- and low-light areas.

There are all kinds of spath varieties to choose from, but they’ve basically all got fairly long, oblong leaves that come to a point, and they all feature simple white blooms. A visit to your favorite local garden center should give you lots of choices. Ask a staff member to help you select the best one that fits your indoor space and needs.

Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco

The flowers of large-leaved peace lilies can be quite dramatic.

I suggest that if you’re looking for something big, you check out Sensation® peace lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’), the largest spath available. It’s adored for its dark-green, ribbed foliage and large, long-lasting, white flowers. You can expect Sensation specimens to reach 6 feet, so make sure you give it some space. At the other end of the spectrum is ‘Petite’ peace lily (S. ‘Petite’). This wee beauty provides the perfect scale of small, dark-green leaves and perky, white flowers for a small accent table or vanity. And there are many varieties in between, so one is sure to meet your indoor needs!

As I mentioned, spaths are easy to care for. And I’m not kidding: Just place them in the right spot, and about all they’ll need on a regular year-round basis is water. The best way to tell when your peace lily needs a drink is to stick your finger down a few inches into the medium. If it feels slightly dry, then water. If it’s moist, wait.

When you do water, add enough so the liquid drains out the bottom of the pot. If you’ve got a tabletop spath, just bring the plant over to the sink for a thorough watering. (But use a watering can for heavy floor plants that are hard to move!) And remember, never let your plants sit in water. A few minutes after watering, drain any saucers of excess liquid.

During the growing season (starting in spring), peace lilies can use fertilizer regularly. (Be sure to follow the package directions for the proper rate of application and frequency.) Then come November through February, give your spaths a rest from this ritual.