Spathiphyllum floribundum
Spathiphyllum floribundum · Araceae
📷 W.carter · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around spathiphyllum floribundum and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Peace lily, Spathiphyllum
- Family
- Araceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark glossy green
- Flowering
- Nearly continuous, especially spring-summer
- Adult size
- 24 to 32 inches tall
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, minimum 55 °F
- Origin
- Central and South America, humid zones
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrosez régulièrement mais sans saturer le substrat—le Spathiphyllum préfère humide à mouillé. La vraie clé est de laisser sécher légèrement entre les arrosages : si vous le gardez constamment détrempé, les racines pourrissent en 2-3 semaines. Un rempotage tous les 18-24 mois avec un bon terreau aéré (mélange standard + perlite) suffit.
The common mistake
Les jardiniers le noient en pensant bien faire : excès d'eau chronique provoque le jaunissement des feuilles basses et l'odeur de pourriture racinaire. C'est la première cause d'échec, bien plus que la sécheresse.
The pro's trick
Observez les feuilles : dès qu'elles commencent à s'affaisser légèrement, c'est le signal d'arroser. Cette plante est honnête—elle vous prévient avant de mourir. Vous éviterez ainsi 90% des problèmes en ajustant simplement à ce signal.
Seasonal watch
En hiver, réduisez les arrosages car la croissance stagne et l'évaporation baisse—continuez à arroser comme en été et vous créerez les conditions parfaites pour la pourriture racinaire. Espace aussi vos apports d'engrais d'octobre à février.
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate consistently moist without waterlogging, especially from April to September. Your plant signals thirst by a slight drooping of the leaves. Reduce watering in winter, letting the surface dry out slightly between waterings. Preferably use non-limey water or filtered water.
Light and exposure
Place your Spathiphyllum in indirect light, away from direct sun which would scorch the leaves. It tolerates partial shade and thrives even under moderate artificial lighting. Insufficient light slows growth and flowering.
Soil and repotting
Use rich, light, well-draining substrate made up of horticultural peat, sphagnum, and perlite or fine bark. This plant appreciates an aerated medium that retains moisture. Repot in spring every 2 years or so, into a slightly larger pot.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced or slightly potassium-rich fertilizer from April to September, every 2 to 3 weeks. Reduce or stop feeding in winter. Avoid over-fertilizing, which causes mineral salts to accumulate, harmful to roots.
Pruning and cleaning
Regularly remove yellow or damaged leaves at the base. Spent flowers can be trimmed to encourage new spathes to appear. Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to maintain their shine and improve photosynthesis.
Pests and common problems
Watch for spider mites and scale insects, favored by dry air. A humid atmosphere (regular misting, grouping plants together) reduces these risks. Generalized yellowing often indicates overwatering or insufficient light; leaf drop suggests exposure to cold drafts.
Did you know?
The Spathiphyllum owes its common name 'Peace lily' to its characteristic white spathe, which wraps around a cream-colored spadix and curves gracefully like a moon. Since the 1980s, it has been highly valued in interior decoration because it purifies air by absorbing certain toxins, although this benefit is modest in real-world conditions. It's a so-called 'inverse heliotropic' plant: unlike most plants, its flowers often open in late afternoon rather than at sunrise.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.