Spaths
The genus Spathiphyllum is found on the forest floor in the rain forests of tropical America. This explains its ability to cope with poor lighting indoors.
Flowers first appear when the plant is mature enough and consist of a large white spathe with a white or pale yellow spadix. Sometimes the spathes are green, an indication that they are modified leaves.
Flowers-Reward for Good Growing Conditions
The Peace Lily's shiny leaves with their prominent fish-bone pattern are quite attractive. Flowering will be more sparse in poor lighting, but it will still flowen even in a north-facing window.
Although Peace Lilies are ideal for dark corners, they'll grow well in brighter light as long as they aren't subjected to hot direct sun. The plant does not need excessive light or water to survive.
Popular varietes of the Spath include: "Sensation," "Petite" and "Mauna Loa."
Let's take a brief look at how to take care for several different
types of Spaths, click the images to open and close the care tips:
Peace Lily
PEACE LILY
Handsome paddle-shaped leaves standing erect from short stems. Flower stalks have a white, erect bract behind the inflorescence spike.
Environment: Suitable only for a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the North/East
Soil Type: Use a GOOD rich potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well), such as an African violet mix. If you want to mix your own take: 2 parts garden soil, 2 parts humus (leaf mold), 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part rinsed aquarium charcoal chips and a little fine grade fir bark. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks spring through fall with a water soluble fertilizer diluted by half. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring.
Plant Pests: Prone to aphids and scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Division and spores in the spring. After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix. Take spores from ripe spore cases on the undersides of the fronds. Put the spores in an envelope and allow to dry. Place a brick in a plastic box or pan and put 2 inches (5cm) of distilled water in it and cover the brick with a quarter inch of moist peat. Sprinkle spores on the peat and cover the container with a piece of glass or plastic. Be sure to maintain the water level. Place in low light, after a few months a green moss like growth should cover the peat. Eventually leaves will appear, divide and transplant after they are 2 inches (5cm) tall.
Gardening Tips & Care: Keep cool and mist occasionally with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining). A good plant for a shaded unheated sun porch.
Sensation
SENSATION
Massive cultivar of the peace lily that an grow to five feet in height and four in width. Flower spathes white, carried just above the leaves.
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: High humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in full sunlight coming from the North/East/West
Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Drench the soil and let it become moderately dry between waterings. If you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer during the summer months only.
Plant Pests: Prone to thrips. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Gardening Tips & Care: Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and try to avoid drafts as they may damage the plant. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
Air Purifier: An excellent air purifier. Some species removes formaldehyde, benzene, toulene. ethyl and methyl alcohol, acetone, xylene, ammonia, trichlorothylene and ethyl acetate from the surrounding atmosphere.
Mauna Loa
MAUNA LOA
A compact plant with leaves about two feet (60cm) tall and inflorescences about a foot (30cm) taller. The spathe and spadix are about six inches (15cm) long and pure white.
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in full sunlight coming from the North/East/West
Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Drench the soil and let it become moderately dry between waterings. If you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer during the summer months only.
Plant Pests: Prone to thrips. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Gardening Tips & Care: Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and try to avoid drafts as they may damage the plant. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
Air Purifier: An excellent air purifier. Some species removes formaldehyde, benzene, toulene. ethyl and methyl alcohol, acetone, xylene, ammonia, trichlorothylene and ethyl acetate from the surrounding atmosphere.
Petite
PETITE
A miniature, with leaves about nine inches (23cm) long and flowers held a few inches above them. Spathe and spadix creamy white.
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: High humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in full sunlight coming from the North/East/West
Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Drench the soil and let it become moderately dry between waterings. If you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer during the summer months only.
Plant Pests: Prone to thrips. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Gardening Tips & Care: Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and try to avoid drafts as they may damage the plant. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
Air Purifier: An excellent air purifier. Some species removes formaldehyde, benzene, toulene. ethyl and methyl alcohol, acetone, xylene, ammonia, trichlorothylene and ethyl acetate from the surrounding atmosphere.
