As autumn sets in, Spathiphyllum, also known as the Peace Lily, takes center stage as Boma Garden Centre’s October Indoor Plant of the Month. Renowned for its elegant white flowers and glossy green leaves, Spathiphyllum has become a beloved choice for indoor gardeners worldwide. It’s famous for its air-purifying properties and low-maintenance care, making it perfect for homes, offices, and indoor spaces.
Origins and Historical Popularity
Spathiphyllum is native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, where it thrives in the shaded, humid undergrowth. It was first introduced to Europe in the late 19th century, quickly gaining popularity due to its ability to flourish indoors. In Great Britain, it became a household favorite in the 20th century, prized for its elegant appearance and the calming, peaceful atmosphere it brings to indoor spaces.
Spathiphyllum is famous for its graceful, white “flowers” (which are actually spathes that wrap around a small cluster of tiny, real flowers). This plant has long been associated with peace and tranquility, making it a popular gift for homes and workplaces alike.
Growth and Flowering
Spathiphyllum’s elegant white flowers typically bloom in spring and can last several weeks. However, under ideal conditions, it may bloom again in autumn or even throughout the year. It is a slow-growing plant, so don’t expect rapid development, but its glossy leaves will continue to add lush greenery to your space year-round.
Displaying Spathiphyllum at Home
Spathiphyllum can be displayed in various ways throughout the home. Whether placed on windowsills, shelves, or as a floor-standing plant, its lush foliage and delicate blooms make it a focal point in any room. It works beautifully as a statement plant in living rooms or as a smaller accent in offices or bedrooms, where its air-purifying abilities can improve both air quality and aesthetics.
Choosing the Right Plant Pot
When it comes to displaying Spathiphyllum, the right plant pot is key to complementing its natural beauty. Neutral-toned pots, such as white, beige, or grey, often pair well with the plant’s dark green leaves and crisp white blooms. For a more contemporary look, Elho produce beautiful and economic recylced-plastic pots. But if you want to be more adventurous, there are some very creative and colourful handmade Ceramic pots, a speciality of Boma Garden Centre. Ensure the pot is well drained before placing it in an indoor container, as Peace Lilies prefer well-drained soil to avoid waterlogged roots. Something often ignored by novice houseplant lovers.
Spathiphyllum Varieties at Boma Garden Centre
Below are just some of the varieties of Peace Lilies that Boma carries throughout the year, dependant on stock availability:
Spathiphyllum Sweet Chico
Compact and perfect for small spaces, Spathiphyllum Sweet Chico is a petite variety that features lush, dark green foliage and smaller white spathes that give it an elegant appearance without taking up too much room. Its compact nature makes it ideal for countertops, office desks, or small shelves. It’s also known for being one of the more forgiving Peace Lilies in terms of care, thriving with minimal attention, which makes it a great choice for beginners or busy households.
Spathiphyllum Pearl Cupido
Renowned for its large, show-stopping flowers, Spathiphyllum Pearl Cupido is a variety that creates an immediate impact in any indoor space. Its broad, glossy leaves provide a bold, tropical look, while the large white spathes stand tall and graceful. The size of its flowers sets it apart from other varieties, making it a fantastic choice for living rooms or entryways where you want to make a statement. The Pearl Cupido can also tolerate a range of light conditions, but its blooms are more prolific in brighter, indirect light.
Spathiphyllum Chopin
This petite variety is ideal for adding greenery to small spaces like desks, shelves, or windowsills. Spathiphyllum Chopin is one of the smaller Peace Lilies, yet it doesn’t compromise on its air-purifying abilities or its graceful appearance. Despite its small size, the Chopin produces beautiful white blooms, making it perfect for those who want the charm of a Peace Lily without needing a lot of space. It thrives in lower light conditions, making it suitable for rooms that don’t get a lot of natural sunlight.
Spathiphyllum Alana
Known for its robust and glossy dark green leaves, which form a lush, bushy plant; the Alana variety produces elegant white spathes that contrast beautifully with its foliage, creating a classic, serene look. This variety is slightly more tolerant of brighter light conditions, although it still prefers indirect light. It’s ideal for filling corners of rooms or as a centerpiece on tables or plant stands. Alana is appreciated for its resilience, making it a low-maintenance option for indoor gardeners who want a larger plant without the hassle.
Spathiphyllum Sweet Bell
Spathiphyllum Sweet Bell is characterized by its elegant white blooms and deep green leaves. The Sweet Bell variety stands out for the size and shape of its spathes, which are often more elongated than other Peace Lilies, giving it a refined, sophisticated appearance. This variety is compact but not too small, making it versatile enough for larger tables, bookshelves, or living room corners. It prefers consistent moisture in the soil and will reward you with frequent flowering when placed in moderate indirect light.
6. Spathiphyllum Bellini
Spathiphyllum Bellini is another compact variety with a neat and tidy growth habit, ideal for smaller spaces such as apartments or offices. Its rich green leaves are slightly more rounded, and its spathes are smaller but frequent, adding a continuous touch of beauty to any room. The Bellini is perfect for those looking for an easy-to-care-for houseplant that also acts as an air purifier. It thrives in low light, making it a good choice for dimmer corners or rooms with limited natural light.
Spathiphyllum Diamond
Spathiphyllum Diamond is a showier variety known for its thicker, glossy foliage and more substantial white flowers. The Diamond variety is prized for its bold look, with large, paddle-shaped leaves that create a fuller, bushier appearance. Its white spathes are striking and tend to last longer than those of other varieties, making it an excellent plant for those who enjoy a more prominent indoor plant display. It can grow slightly larger than some of the more compact types, so it’s ideal for filling larger spaces.
Spathiphyllum Torelli
With its medium size and rich green leaves, Spathiphyllum Torelli provides a balanced look, making it versatile for a variety of indoor settings. Its frequent blooms, coupled with its lush foliage, make it a great choice for living rooms, hallways, or home offices. Torelli prefers moderate indirect light and will flower more consistently with proper care. Its slightly larger leaves and spathes give it a more dramatic look compared to some of the more compact varieties.
Spathiphyllum Verdi
Spathiphyllum Verdi is one of the larger varieties, offering abundant, arching foliage and striking white spathes. Its glossy leaves are darker, providing a rich backdrop for the plant’s prominent blooms. This variety is perfect for larger spaces or floor displays where its size and elegance can truly shine. Verdi is relatively easy to care for and thrives in indirect light, but it also does well in lower light conditions, making it a versatile addition to most homes.
Spathiphyllum Vivaldi
The Spathiphyllum Vivaldi variety is characterized by its long, graceful leaves and tall white spathes, which give the plant a refined and elegant appearance. Vivaldi can grow quite large, making it perfect for filling up corners or acting as a statement plant in spacious rooms. Its flowers are longer-lasting than many other varieties, and its leaves grow in a more upright fashion, creating a striking vertical display. Like other Peace Lilies, Vivaldi prefers indirect light and moderate watering.
Care Tips for Spathiphyllum
To care for your Spathiphyllum properly, place it in a spot that receives indirect or low light, as direct sunlight can scorch its leaves. When watering, wait until the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, but be careful not to overwater, as the plant prefers evenly moist but not soggy soil. Spathiphyllum thrives in humid environments, so it’s beneficial to mist the leaves regularly, especially in drier indoor conditions. For optimal growth, use a well-draining potting mix, and Boma Garden Centre offers a range of garden compost options that can support its needs. By following these care instructions, your Peace Lily will flourish and continue to purify the air in your home.
Spathiphyllum’s Role in Winter Interiors
Spathiphyllum not only purifies the air but also adds a peaceful ambiance to your indoor environment. During the winter, its lush foliage offers a refreshing contrast to the colder, grey months outside, providing a calming presence.
Special Offer at Boma Garden Centre
Throughout October, Boma Garden Centre is offering special discounts on our Spathiphyllum range. Whether you’re looking for a large statement plant or a smaller variety, we have options to suit every home.
Visit Boma Garden Centre to explore our range of Spathiphyllum varieties and take advantage of our October Indoor Plant of the Month offers. Bring home this low-maintenance, air-purifying beauty today!
