A-Z house plants: peace lilies
Bring some calm energy and tranquillity into your home with a peace lily
Peace Lily
Increase serenity in your home with a peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii). Not only is it pleasing to look at, but this popular plant is so undemanding that you’ll be left feeling positively zen with the lack of maintenance required. Peace lilies cope well with poor light, so are great for brightening areas where other plants might fail. They can also bounce back from a missed watering or two with a good soak, so are perfect for busy or forgetful house-plant owner. The peace lily is not only near bullet proof, but according to the principles of Feng Shui it can bring harmony to any space and boost positive feelings.
For those who invest extra care in the plant, you’ll be rewarded with year-round blooms, too.
TOP TIP
Ensure any clump removed to pot up has plenty of roots attached
From the forest floor of Columbia and Venezuela, where it receives dappled sunlight and moisture, this exotic evergreen house plant adds a touch of simplicity and elegance to homes of any style. A member of the calla lily family, this easy-to-care-for plant provides glossy foliage year round, and can be grown alone or mixed with other foliage house plants. The flowers are actually tiny and found all around the centre of each inflorescence, with the ornamental hooded white bract surrounding them. Once the long-lasting blooms go over, remove each from the base. Use house plant feed every six weeks to encourage new growth.
Celebrated for its air cleaning properties, it has been found to break down chemical nasties like benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. Once the plant has outgrown its pot, it can be potted into a slightly larger pot with fresh compost or divided and potted up to create several new plants as shown here.
Position The peace lily will tolerate low light, but if you want to encourage more flowers, move it into a space that is sunnier – indirect light is best for continual blooms.
Care Use a damp cloth to dust the glossy leaves to keep clean and healthy. Spray under the shower occasionally for a thorough clean.
Details Keep on a shelf or out of reach of cats and dogs if you own them, as it is toxic to pets.
How to divide 1
Ease the plant out of the pot once roots are growing through the bottom (a sure sign it needs repotting). Be sure to water it well the day before. Pull at the roots and soil to open up the root ball.
2
Pull apart into clumps, detangling the roots. House plants bought from garden centres are often smaller plants potted up together. If there is just one plant, divide it gently, ensuring roots are attached to each new part.
3
Fill new pots half way with general potting compost and pot up one clump in each. Add in more compost and firm in well. Leave a gap for watering between the soil and top of the pot, water well.