The Remarkable Spathiphyllum

One day my husband ran over my Spathiphyllum!! After showering it with the garden hose, I left it in the driveway so the leaves could dry off. He did not see it when backing his car out of the garage! It had quite a few broken stems and leaves. It took a little while, but it grew back beautifully, as you can see. Plants are amazing recoverers! 

 

The Spathiphyllum, also known as the peace lily, has been a houseplant favorite for many years with good reason. They are easy to grow and will bloom beautifully every year with a stately white blossom that lasts for about a month or so. The bloom on this species even has a lovely fragrance!  

The Spaths, as those in the trade often refer to them, are natural natives to the American tropics. There are several species available on the market. They are all wonderfully easy to keep with a little diligent care.

Care Instructions---

• Prefers bright indirect light or a little direct sun. Full morning sun is fine but direct full afternoon sun will probably be too much.  Keep it a few feet away from sunny western and southern exposures.
• Water thoroughly when the top is dry. It will wilt if it gets too dry but will recover shortly after a good soak. 
• in a 6" (15 cm) diameter pot, water with 1 pint of water (almost 1/2 liter)
• in a 10"(25 cm) diameter pot will use about 2 quarts of water (or 2 liters) when necessary
• in a 14" (35 cm) diameter pot, use 1 gallon of water (almost 4 liters)
•  Fertilize regularly for best growth and blooming.
• The leaves could use a regular dusting with a feather duster. Once in a while, a gentle shower in the bathtub or outdoors, when it is warm outside, is very helpful.  

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***For a variety of  video clips on houseplant care from my 90's TV series, click here: 

The Indoor Garden TV show

©2012