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The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is among the popular houseplants. Besides being a beautiful interior accessory, it also has useful properties.
It is a very undemanding plant and practically requires no special care.
The peace lily acts like a natural vacuum cleaner that perfectly purifies the air from dust, harmful vapors and even electrosmog.
It is recommended for the living room but also for the office; ideally place it on a shelf near an electrical appliance such as a computer, television, etc.
Many mystical properties were attributed to this plant:
It was assumed that if a lonely woman started growing this plant, she would soon find her happiness beside a man.
It is said to improve the energy of the home and can bring owners comfort and happiness.
It supposedly works as a mood barometer and if frequent arguments prevail in the family, the plant will stop blooming, start drying out and may completely wilt.
It was believed that if this plant completely finished flowering for you, its owner would soon bring a long-awaited child into the world (it is said to also help women who are already desperate in their attempts to become mothers).
Care
This plant’s home is South America, so it loves warmth.
The optimal temperature for this plant is 18 – 25 degrees and if it is lower, it will not thrive.
Because the peace lily grows in the jungle in nature, it does not tolerate direct sunlight.
If sun rays fall directly on the plant, they can cause burns on the leaves.
During the hottest hours of the day it is best to move the plant to shade or cover it.
Spathiphyllum more easily tolerates shade and partial shade, but long-term lack of light can affect the color and size of the leaves – they will be fragile and small.
The best placement for it is an east-facing window.
It comes from a humid jungle and therefore prefers moist soil, but not waterlogged.
It loves misting the leaves and if you do this daily, it will have beautiful healthy leaves.
Use a balanced fertilizer and give it nutrients once every 2 weeks in spring and summer (from April to September).
In autumn and winter the plant needs rest and during this period it is better not to fertilize it.
In the winter period it is also appropriate to reduce the amount of watering. If you follow these tips, the plant will bloom for you all year round.
What to do if the plant is not prospering?
Despite undemanding care, it can happen even when growing this plant that it becomes ill or stops doing well.
The leaves begin to dry out, it stops blooming or the leaves wither. All these problems can occur as a result of several factors.
1. Incorrect light
If the plant lacks light, the leaves lose their intense color, the tips yellow and the stems bend. If, on the other hand, the radiation is too intense, the leaves are covered with burns.
2. Excess water
The roots begin to rot and the leaves turn black.
3. Lack of water
The leaves are small and limp, not as nicely elastic as before.
4. Pest infestation
Check the underside of the leaves and if pests are present, treat them with a suitable fungicide.
Other problems
Blooms poorly
Always remember to remove dried flowers and leaves in time. The longer you leave them on the plant, the more nutrients they consume and the fewer flowers the plant will then have. If it has not been blooming for a while, it may be lacking necessary minerals and in that case give it an appropriate nutrient.
The tips of the leaves yellow and dry
In this case the plant is bothered by too dry air and needs more humidity. There is no need to water it more, but to mist the leaves. Remember that the peace lily comes from a humid jungle and therefore the air should be constantly humidified.
We wish you lots of happiness!
