Spathiphyllum: Simple and Sensational

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Donna W. Moramarco

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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 “Spathi- phyllum.” 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.

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.

Facts

Spaths are clean-air plants. They’ve been scientifically proven to filter indoor pollutants, like the harmful chemicals benzene (found in some oils and paints) and trichloroethylene (found in some foam insulation), from the air.

Tips

Unless you live in tropical parts of the world (Zone 10 or warmer), spaths are indoor plants only – but you can give them a summer vacation. I live in New York, and every year from mid-May to September, my peace lilies are on my deck with an eastern exposure to give them some morning sunlight and shade the rest of the day. (Full sun is a no-no!)
“Dress up” your houseplants. I keep mine in the nursery pots I buy them in, then slip the entire plant in and out of decorative containers that match the current season or holiday. That simple change can give any room a whole new look!

Faqs

Q: I tend to overwater. Is there something I can do to help protect my plants from my heavy hand?
A: In addition to making sure you empty excess liquid from saucers after watering, use clay containers. Clay is porous and allows the potting soil to dry out faster than plastic or glazed ceramic containers.

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