The name Peace Lily is applied to more than one species of the genus Spathiphyllum. It refers to the flowering of this herbaceous perennial. There are approximately 40 species of Spathiphyllum, many of which have been heavily hybridized. The many varieties range from miniature to massive.
Flowers and Leaves of Peace Lily
The flowering is a white or green and white spathe (hood-shaped bract) that shelters a creamy-white spike which is covered with tiny flowers. The spathe is often mistakenly referred to as the flower petal. Over time, the spathe and spadix ((spike) become green or yellow. The common name Peace Lily is derived from the flower’s similarity to the white flag of truce raised during battle.
The deeply-veined leaves that vary in size and shape according to variety are ovate or lanceolate in shape. All are glossy and range in color from deep green to golden. To remove dust and maintain the shine, give the plants a shower periodically using room temperature water.
The Peace Lily is an extremely attractive plant which produces offsets at the base to form a dense clump. It is particularly interesting in a cluster of plants. It requires room-temperature watering only when dry and moderate room temperatures. It will not do well in direct, strong sunlight.
Indoor Air Pollution
Many energy-efficient homes and workplaces today are poorly ventilated. Numerous environmental studies found that those places where windows aren’t opened, people may be less healthy. They may have dry eyes, dry throat, and headaches. They are kept in close contact with low doses of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are known cancer causing agents. The long-term effects of exposure to those low doses are unknown.
Indoor Air Purifier
Research undertaken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other organizations suggests that indoor plants could be helpful. It is believed that plants substantially reduce exposure to common VOCs. An increasing amount of research points toward the benefits of plants as indoor air purifiers.
It has been suggested for quite some time that the Peace Lily plant is one of the best to remove indoor air pollution. Now, according to the University of Florida, “NASA even praised them in the Clean Air Study for their ability to remove formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from interior air.”
Similar results were found through testing of air quality at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia.
The amazing Peace Lily with its extraordinary ability to purify the air was selected the 2007 Desk Plant of the Year. While this is certainly a very special plant, it is not the only one that is capable of clearing the air, but it may be the best.
Sources:
Encyclopedia of House Plants by Nico Vermeulen, Published by Routledge, 1999
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