Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum Popular in the Spring and Year Round
Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum… lots of sizes, lots of blooms, lots of green…
Information the plant tags leave off. Get some basics on the Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum Care and things you won’t learn at the local garden center.
Have you ever experienced or wondered - Why Peace Lillies get brown tips? When you are one of the best indoor house plants and a hard worker there are many reasons why tips can turn brown.
Everything from over-watering, too much heat, too much fertilizer, or any combination of these factors and others.
With a pot full of green leaves pest at times can hide out on Spathiphyllum. Fortunately, there is an easy safe, all natural way to control peace lilly pest.
Another question owners of Peace Lillies always ask is -How come their Peace lily does not flower again? They bought the plants with white flowers and got to enjoy them for months but now, the flowers are gone, the plant looks good and green but it never flowers!
The other side of a Spathiphyllum flowering is removing the flowers when they finally have reached their end. When should you remove them? What care needs to be taken? We’ve discussed that and to give you more insight on Peace Lily care removing flowers.
The Spathiphyllum can get droopy if it doesn’t get enough water and the soil drys out or if the peace lily sits in an area which warms up or gets flat out hot during the day.
The whole topic of growing a peace lily roots in water along with a beta fish was a popular item in the late 1990’s and people still enjoy them today. How well does it work?
These are a few of the topics on the peace lily we’ll be covering. Let’s start off first with Peace Lillies and brown tips.
Check back often as new articles on Spathiphyllum - Peace Lily are added and updated… more on peace lily spots.
Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum - Removing Flowers
Once the big spring push ends the spathiphyllum flowers will eventually fade and the foliage will continue to work at cleaning the air inside. Many people don’t know what to do or they wonder if the plant is dying as the bloom fades away. This is evidenced by the e-mail questions on the subject.
The flowers fading or dying off is natural.
Lets go over a few of the things that you may see so you’ll know what to expect.
Spathiphylliums come in many varieties and sizes. This is also the case in the way some of the flowers die.
Some peace lily varieties can flower over a long period of time and may have flowers coming and going at the same time. Others may come into bloom with a flower
or two and slowly wither away.
Generally you will notice that the flowers expire in a couple of ways.
After pushing up their pure white hoods above the foliage the flowers can be enjoyed for weeks and months.
When they have reached the end of their cycle they begin to die off. The white hoods may begin to discolor and get brown spots, much like you would notice with cut flowers. The flowers can also slowly begin to turn green in color.
You may also experience both of these conditions on the same plant. We usually find the flowers turning green when they have been pollinated and seed has been set.
You can extend the blooming time of your spathiphyllum by keeping water off of the blooms. Next time you want to mist your plant, take care keep the mist on the leaves and off the flowers.
Removing the Flower
Flowers take energy from the plant. When the bloom starts fading it’s time to remove it, green or with brown spots. You’ll notice that the flower stalk comes up right next to the leaf petiole. Don’t just remove the flower and leave the flower stalk; remove the flower stalk as far down as possible without cutting the leaf off. Be sure to cut the stalk and do not try to rip or twist it out.
Leaving the flowers on for an extended period of time can cause the new leaves to come out smaller. This is from the energy used in the flower production.
Spathiphyllums are excellent foliage plants even without flowers. Enjoy your plant while it is in bloom and then enjoy this tough indoor plant for its foliage. Peace Lillies grow well in self-watering pots. If they are not watered well they can go droopy.
Hey, if you want flowers all the time try some artificial ones in your real plants.
Peace Lily - Why Doesn’t my Spathiphyllum Flower?
Springtime is the time of year the Peace Lily naturally flowers but the plant cleans indoor air to help produce a healthier home all year around. Walk into just any Home
Improvement garden center and you’ll see white flowers hovering over the dark green foliage.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had the question asked…
- What am I doing wrong?
- When I got my Spathiphyllum it was in flower and it hasn’t flowered again?
- The plant looks great but no flowers
Let’s cover a little about the plant and the production of it.
Twenty years ago Peace lily was grown primarily as a foliage plant, and was started from seeds. The main variety was Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa” and flowers were an added benefit.
Today, most of the Spathiphyllum grown are produced from tissue culture or cloning - remember “Dolly” the sheep. Breeders look for specific traits during the selection process, such as flowering habits, leaf texture, toughness, cold tolerant or handles low light well.
Once they have found or developed a plant that meets specific traits or market needs, it is then produced in the lab by the thousands. This process “guarantees” the plants being “all the same” and will all grow the same… same height, same fullness, same flowering, same care, etc. This also helps growers to get a consistent supply of plant material.
There are many varieties of Spathiphyllum on the market today. Some of the varieties grown in 4-6 inch pots have been selected for their flowering traits or ability to force lots of flowers on a small plant. These plants are treated with chemicals to induce this quantity of flowers. They carry names like “petite” or "starlite"
Some of the larger varieties 10″ and up such as “Supreme” and "Lynise" have been selected for their interior qualities. Another variety used indoors is “Sensation” and you may never see a flower on it. But, the plant is, as the name says ‘Sensation’al, it can reach heights of 5-6 feet.
What About My Plant?
Many times when plants are purchased they are thought or expected to live forever, I’m here to tell you don’t believe it. But, let me give you a word of encouragement. You are not doing anything wrong if your plant isn’t flowering.
In fact, you have probably been growing the plant longer then the nursery did. You have taken a plant that may have traveled thousands of miles, acclimated it to a new environment, and grown it successfully. You should be congratulated.
A Little Light on the Subject
Flowering is usually a matter of light and/or temperature… long days, short days, cold snaps followed by warm weather and light levels. Do your plants have a nice dark green color? Are they healthy? They may look good but may not receive enough light to flower. Plants grown in the nursery are probably receiving 3000 foot candles or more of light. Most northern interiors if they receive 10% of that amount would be considered a lot of light.
Look around and you’ll notice plants flowering in the landscape. If the plants don’t get enough light they will have few flowers. Your spath is no different. Many people just pour on the fertilizer and think that it will force the plant to flower… you may, in fact, be causing more problems. Plants in the landscape haven’t been getting fertilizer have they?
I hate to say it but the best thing to do with your plant that doesn’t flower…. enjoy it as a foliage plant. If you need to add some color, visit your favorite garden center or nursery and add a new plant to your interior.
Why is it possible that your Spathiphyllum doesn’t flower?
You may have a variety that you’ll rarely see flowers on, which is the case with Sensation OR you may just not be giving the plant enough light. For those with lots of flowers removing the flowers is their question.
Beta Fish Plants - Roots in Water - Will it Grow?
It’s funny how something new (or old) brings up questions in a person’s mind. Recently, I have noticed some e-mail that has come across the computer screen that I haven’t seen before and wanted to address it.
I’m not going to get very technical, and want to post more of a "word of caution". Here it is.
This e-mail has dealt with the issue of growing plants in water - ONLY.
Below is the basic question.
I purchased a spathiphyllum which is placed in a vase with roots submerged in water. What variety of spathiphyllum lives in water with no soil?
Another variation is this: I received a plant in a clear glass vase with the glass marbles used as the "soil". What kind of plant is it and will it live?
Side Note
One of the greatest causes of death to a plant is - over watering.
If this is the case how can these plants survive?
Answer
Plants are an amazing creation and can adapt to a wide variety of situations. The key to all of this is the root system and growing techniques. These plants didn’t start out this way. The root systems in their search for moisture have been able to adapt to living in total submersion.
I am not aware of any growers in South Florida at this time but 30 years ago there was a grower that produced spathiphyllum - little 4 inch bare root plants just for the aquarium trade. He shipped them out by the thousands.
Some of you have taken the vacation trip to Disney World and visited Epcot Center’s - The Land - and have seen first hand tomatoes growing in air with nothing but regular misting. If you haven’t seen the exhibit and you get the opportunity, take the time to do so.
It isn’t uncommon to see plants growing in nature along river banks to drop their roots in for a drink and have both roots above and below water. As I said, plants are amazing creations.
These roots differ in that you won’t see them having large roots that support and stabilize the plant, they are there helping supply moisture and nutrients.
Plants growing in this environment are also very sensitive to environmental changes. That can be changing the water or even adding new water, which can include chlorine or flouride. These plants would suffer greatly if their roots were exposed for any length of time (minutes) to the dry air which they are not adapted to.
Advice
Stick to growing plants the traditional way, pots and soil. Hey, if you want to try growing plants in water only, go buy a 4 inch pothos and take some cuttings.
If you want to take one of your plants, remove it from the soil, wash it, and drop it in water; be prepared for a short lived plant life.
A better alternative is to investigate subirrigation.
Plants grown completely in water are generally a novelty item, not a plant to enjoy for the long haul.
Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum - Going Droopy
Spathiphyllum the genus name means, literally, "leaf spathe", with spathe defined as "A large bract or pair of bracts sheathing a flower cluster, as a spadix." You’re likely to know it as "Peace Lily". Its’ widespread interior use is due to its exceptional acclimation to low light conditions and air cleaning qualities.
A fascinating plant that has somehow managed to circle the world long before man discovered its beauty. Wherever it is found, it thrives in the deep shade of the humid tropical rainforest understory.
There are many cultivars in production today, and can be generally classified into large, medium, and small varieties.
The Peace Lily is very different from many plants used today indoors.
Spathiphyllums can be Thirsty Plants. They let you know quickly when they are thirsty by a noticeably droop in the foliage while creating a tropical look and removing toxins in a room. They’ll bounce back quickly once watered.
Overwatering is one reason many people do not have success with plants indoors. Although it’s best to not have your Peace lily dry out, they can be very helpful in teaching us how much time can go by between waterings.
One thing to keep in mind…. during the summer months IF your Spathiphyllum sits in a bright or warm area you may notice a "droop" in the foliage late in the day even if the plant is moist. The plant may not really need water…. make sure you don’t over water the plant. If the heat is too much and the leaves "droop" every day you may begin to see some brown tips or edges.
Move the plant to a more protected area or cooler space if possible. In the nursery because for the heat… it isn’t unusual to see Spathiphyllum droop late in the day.
Next time you’re ready to pour water on your Spathiphyllum, WAIT – let’em droop (just a little).
In the late 90’s one craze was the Beta fish - A Peace Lily with a fish in a bowl!
Spathiphyllum Sensation Always a Show Stopper
Spathiphyllum sensation is a Peace Lilly hybrid that is a popular indoor plant. In South Florida, Spathiphylum’s are grown commercially in shade houses with a plastic cover in the winter.
Spathiphyllum sensation boasts a set of glossy leaves that are long and lance-shaped. The creamy-white flower is enclosed in a set of white spathes. Under favorable conditions, Spathiphyllum can grow to about 120 cm with a 50 cm leaf blade and a 20 cm spathe. As a houseplant, Spathiphyllum sensation requires average water regularly and grows well in shaded areas.
Just like other species of Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum sensation is excellent in purifying the air. However, some parts of this plant are dangerous because they are poisonous when ingested. In addition to being a popular indoor plant, the Spathiphyllum sensation makes a perfect landscape plant in many landscaping designs.
The Extraordinary Spathiphyllum Allison
Recognized as the Desk Plant of the Year 2007, Peace Lily (Latin name Spathiphyllum) continues to spread its popularity through another one of its kind - the Spathiphyllum Allison. This new Peace Lily has a shiny, tough, dark green, oval leaf that narrow to a point.
Just like other Peace Lillies, it periodically produces long-lasting star-shaped (pointed) flowers that start out from pale green to creamy white as they open. A closer look at each bloom will let anyone see a candle-like object nesting in a plume.
Spathiphyllum Allison may be a prolific bloomer but it definitely requires little water and low light. Its flowers shimmer in the light thereby making it a spiritual symbol of Christmas. The Spathiphyllum Allison plant makes a great gift plant as well as an attractive indoor foliage plant. But its most important aspect is its ability to purify the air from dangerous matters. Overall, the plant looks uniform but changes sight constantly thereby making it a friendly ideal desk plant.
Variegated Peace Lily
Familiar with the Peace Lily? Most only think of the Spathiphyllum with dark green leaves and pure white flowers but there is are variegated varieties.
