Spathiphyllum /ˌspæ.ðɪˈfaɪ.ləm/
Common name: Peace lily · Spath
Spathiphyllum is a genus of about 47 species of evergreen flowering plants native to tropical regions of the Americas and Southeast Asia. Commonly grown as the peace lily, it has glossy dark green leaves and distinctive white "flowers" that are actually modified leaves called spathes. It thrives in low light and reliably signals thirst by drooping.
Care summary
Sun
Low to medium indirect light
Water
Keep soil evenly moist; wilts when thirsty
Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive but draining mix
Hardiness
Zones 10–12
Mature height
30 cm–1 m (1–3 ft) depending on cultivar
Pet safe
Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested
Fun facts
- The white "flower" is actually a spathe — a modified leaf surrounding the true flowers on the spadix.
- Despite the name, it's not a true lily at all; it belongs to the arum family, Araceae.
- Peace lilies dramatically droop when thirsty and perk back up within hours of watering.
- They were featured in NASA's Clean Air Study for filtering benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia.