One of the most commonly grown houseplants is the Peace Lily, so here are some interesting facts about it.
- The botanical name Spathiphyllum comes from the Greek words phyllo, meaning leaf, and Spathe, which means flowering bract.
- The Peace Lily is on NASA’s list of the top ten air-cleaning houseplants. It can help filter benzene, formaldehyde, and ethylene from the air.
- Peace Lilies are native to tropical areas in the Americas and Southeast Asia.
- Peace Lilies are not actually lilies at all. They are members of the Arum family, which makes them related to plants like Philodendrons and Calla Lilies.
- Symbolically, Peace Lilies stand for peace and tranquility.
The Dangers of Lilies
Now, I’m glad that Peace Lilies are NOT related to Lilies because members of the Lily family are very toxic, especially to cats—and I have several kitties. Peace Lilies are only mildly toxic. They contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation, burning in the mouth and throat, and nausea. Real lilies, on the other hand, can cause kidney failure in pets.
So here’s how to take care of yours:
How to Take Care of Your Peace Lilies
While Peace Lilies like to dry out an inch or two down, NEVER let them go so dry they wilt or droop. They will perk back up when you water them, but because drying to the point that the foliage wilts will kill a layer of roots; a week or two later, brown edges on the leaves will show up. Feel the soil with your finger. As soon as it is dry, about one-third of the way down, water until water comes out the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. Let the pot sit in water for about ten minutes to soak up its needs, but never let it sit longer.
Peace lilies tolerate lower light, like a philodendron does. However, they bloom best in bright light (no direct mid-day sun). Mine gets direct sun from a Northeast window—direct sun before 10:00 a.m. They can also take later afternoon sun—after 3:00. A window with bright, indirect sunlight would also work.
About once a month, take a damp sponge and wipe any accumulated dust off the foliage. This keeps the dust from getting in the way of the light.
You can feed your Peace Lily with African Violet food—it is, after all, a blossom booster.
The Most Important Action
Lastly, and most important, ENJOY it.