Plants
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii · Araceae (Aronstabgewächse)
The peace lily is one of the most forgiving yet elegant houseplants around: glossy dark green foliage paired with striking white flower bracts that appear almost year-round. In our Pempelfort workshop we have long recommended it for darker corners where other plants give up. It tolerates mistakes and signals its thirst clearly by drooping its leaves.
- Light
- Bright to semi-shade, very shade-tolerant; no direct midday sun. North-facing windows and darker corners are tolerated, while variegated cultivars need a little more light.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist, let the top layer dry slightly, never fully dry out and avoid waterlogging. Drooping leaves reliably signal thirst; low-lime water is preferred.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Spathiphyllum wallisii
Botanically the peace lily belongs to the arum family (Araceae). What many take for the flower is actually a white bract (the spathe) framing the true cylindrical inflorescence (the spadix). Newly opened the spathe is pure white, then gradually turns green before fading. Most plants in trade are cultivars based on Spathiphyllum wallisii.
The range on offer is surprisingly broad: the compact Spathiphyllum wallisii for windowsill and desk, the imposing large cultivar Mauna Loa, or the XXL form Sensation with leaves that can reach knee height. Variegated cultivars such as Domino or Picasso carry white-and-green marbled foliage and need a little more light to keep their pattern.
In floristry we value the peace lily as a low-maintenance pot plant for office, bathroom and bedroom; it copes effortlessly even with windowless bathrooms under artificial light or a north-facing spot. Occasionally single spathes find their way into modern graphic arrangements, where the clean white acts as a calm counterpoint to bold colours. As a present or sympathy plant its symbolism makes it especially fitting.
We watch for quality at the point of purchase: a good peace lily sits full in its pot, has firm glossy foliage without brown tips and several buds in reserve. Plants with yellowing leaves or musty-smelling soil have usually suffered from waterlogging and recover poorly. Choose a strong root ball and healthy new growth, and the plant will give pleasure for years.
Care
- 01Position: bright to semi-shade, but no harsh midday sun; north-facing windows and shaded corners are well tolerated.
- 02Watering: keep the soil evenly moist, let the top layer dry slightly, never allow it to dry out fully and avoid standing water in the cachepot.
- 03Drooping leaves are the natural thirst signal; after watering the plant usually perks up within a few hours.
- 04Humidity: a tropical plant, so mist regularly with low-lime water; brown leaf tips indicate air that is too dry.
- 05Feeding: from March to September feed roughly every two weeks with a foliage-plant fertiliser, then pause over winter.
- 06Repot every one to two years in spring into loose, free-draining soil; cut spent spathes back close to the base.
Frequently asked
- Is the peace lily toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes, all parts contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth, throat and gut. Unlike true lilies the peace lily does not usually cause kidney failure in cats, but it is still not pet-safe. Keep it out of reach and seek veterinary advice if eaten; for small children it should also be decorative only, not for touching or tasting.
- Why is my peace lily not flowering?
- Usually it is simply a lack of light: in too dark a spot the peace lily forms healthy foliage but few spathes. A brighter position without direct sun, regular feeding in summer and a slightly cooler winter rest all encourage flowering. An oversized pot also diverts energy into root growth rather than blooms.
- Does the peace lily really clean indoor air?
- The peace lily is considered a sturdy air-improving plant and featured in the well-known NASA houseplant studies. In daily life, though, the effect should not be overstated: a single plant is no substitute for airing the room. As an easy-care green that brightens darker spaces and slightly raises humidity it still does good service, for example in the bathroom or bedroom.
- How often should I water the peace lily?
- There is no fixed rule, as the need depends on light, pot size and season. As a guideline, water once the top layer of soil has dried slightly, often once or twice a week. The peace lily signals thirst very reliably by drooping, so even beginners quickly develop a feel for the right rhythm.