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Araceae HERB INDOOR Placement Primary: Other Ornamental Air quality

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Identified By Unknown Guest

The Peace Lily, scientifically known as Spathiphyllum wallisii, is a very popular indoor foliage and flowering houseplant native to the tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia. Renowned for its glossy, dark green lance-shaped leaves and striking white spathes that enclose the true flowers, it adds a touch of elegance to any interior space. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it is exceptionally valued for its resilience in low-light indoor environments and its renowned capability to clean indoor air by filtering out common household toxins. Caring for a peace lily is relatively straightforward, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced indoor gardeners alike.

Also known as: White Sail Plant Spit Flower

Toxicity & Safety

Is Peace Lily toxic to pets?

Yes, toxic to pets.

Peace lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. When chewed or ingested by pets such as cats and dogs, these microscopic crystals are released, causing immediate irritation of the oral cavity, excessive drooling, intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and potential foaming at the mouth. While generally not fatal, immediate veterinary attention is advised if ingestion occurs to manage discomfort and symptoms.

Is Peace Lily toxic to humans?

Yes, toxic to humans.

Ingestion of any part of the peace lily can cause toxic reactions in humans due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. Symptoms typically include immediate irritation, burning sensations, and swelling of the lips, tongue, and mouth, as well as difficulty swallowing and stomach upset. Accidental chewing by young children usually leads to immediate pain and drooling, prompting them to stop eating it, but washing out the mouth and offering cool drinks or dairy can help soothe the irritation.

Is Peace Lily safe during pregnancy?

Generally considered safe during pregnancy.

Growth & Dimensions

Height 30 - 100 cm
Width 30 - 90 cm
Growth Rate Moderate
Care Level Easy
Lifespan Perennial

Ideal Environment

Temperature 15°C - 29°C
Sunlight Hours 2 - 6 hrs/day
Sun Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH 5.6 - 6.5
Watering Interval 7 - 14 days
Humidity 50.00% - 90.00%
USDA Zone 10 - 12

Tropical Rainforest Climates

Climate: Warm, humid tropical conditions with filtered canopy light and consistently moist, rich soils.

Soils: Loam Peat Potting Mix
Annual Rainfall: 1500 - 3000 mm

Native Regions

Central America
South America
Southeast Asia (ID – Asia)

How to Care for Peace Lily

How should I handle soil and fertilizer?

Use a rich, well-draining potting mix. Feed with a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer every 6 weeks during spring and summer.

How should I handle pruning?

Trim away spent flower stems and yellow or brown leaves at the base using clean shears to encourage new growth.

How should I handle watering your peace lily?

Water your peace lily thoroughly when the top two to three inches of soil feel dry to the touch. The plant is famous for dramatically drooping when it is thirsty, recovering quickly once watered. Always use room temperature water and ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot from standing water.

How should I handle lighting requirements?

Peace lilies thrive best in bright, indirect sunlight. They can tolerate low light conditions remarkably well, though blooming might be significantly reduced or nonexistent in dark corners. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as harsh rays will scorch and burn the delicate green leaves.

How to Propagate Peace Lily

How to propagate Peace Lily by division?

To propagate your peace lily successfully through division, gently remove the mature mother plant from its container during routine repotting in the spring season. Carefully brush away loose soil to expose the natural root clumps and rhizomes. Using a clean, sharp knife or your fingers, gently tease apart the root system into smaller individual sections, ensuring that each separate division contains at least two or three healthy stems and a robust root network. Plant each new division directly into its own pot filled with fresh, well-draining potting soil, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots, and keep them in a warm, humid, shaded location until established.

Common Diseases & Pests of Peace Lily

What is Root Rot and how is it treated?

Fungal
Symptoms:

Yellowing lower leaves, mushy dark brown roots, stunted growth, and a foul odor coming from the wet potting soil mixture. The plant will display wilting even when the soil is visibly moist.

Treatment:

Remove the plant from its pot, gently wash away soggy soil, and prune off all infected and mushy black roots using sterilized shears. Repot the healthy remaining portions into fresh, well-draining soil and a clean pot.

Prevention:

Always allow the top soil to dry out partially between watering sessions, ensure your plant pot has functional drainage holes, and never let the base of the pot sit in a saucer of standing water for extended periods.

Properties & Benefits of Peace Lily

Uses & Health Benefits

What are the benefits of indoor air purification in Peace Lily?

The peace lily is widely celebrated for its exceptional capacity to naturally filter and remove volatile organic compounds and airborne toxins from indoor environments. According to studies such as the famous NASA Clean Air Study, this plant helps absorb harmful pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, and xylene through its leaves and root zone microbes. By incorporating peace lilies into living spaces or offices, occupants can enjoy cleaner air, which may help reduce indoor air pollution related respiratory irritations, headaches, and fatigue, contributing to a healthier and more productive indoor atmosphere.

Precautions: Keep out of reach of curious pets and young children because ingestion of any plant parts leads to irritation from calcium oxalate crystals.

Key Nutrients / Compounds

Calcium Oxalate high Present in plant tissues
Air Filtering Capacity high High VOC reduction rate

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