Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Peace lily is a compact tropical houseplant native to Colombia and Venezuela that can bloom indoors without direct sun. The white part that looks like a petal is a leaflike covering around a spike of tiny flowers. Chewing the leaves can cause painful mouth irritation in people and mouth irritation in dogs and cats.

Appearance

Appearance: Glossy, dark green leaves rise from the base. A white stands beside a short spike of small flowers.
Flowers: The white spathe lasts a long time and gradually turns pale green.

Look-alikes

florist's callaZantedeschia aethiopica

A florist's calla has an open, funnel shaped white spathe and arrow shaped leaves. This peace lily has a flatter spathe and narrower, oval leaves.

dumb caneDieffenbachia seguine

Dumb cane usually has cream or white patches on its leaves and develops a visible cane like stem. Peace lily leaves are usually plain green and rise from the base.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: indoor pots
shady, warm sites
Range: Native to Colombia and Venezuela; grown as a houseplant across the United States.
Preferred conditions: Give it indirect light and keep the potting mix moist but well drained. In most of the United States, it needs indoor protection from cold.

Growing it

Propagation: A large clump can be divided to make new plants.
Toxicity: Chewed leaves can cause painful mouth irritation in people. Dogs and cats can also have mouth irritation after chewing the plant.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: The 'Domino' cultivar has pale stripes on its leaves. Many other plants sold as peace lilies belong to other Spathiphyllum species or hybrids.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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