Different Types Of Peace Lilies: A Gardener’S Guide To Choosing The
Have you ever walked past a peace lily in a store and admired its glossy, dark green leaves and elegant white blooms? It’s a classic houseplant for a reason—it’s stunning, forgiving, and brings a sense of calm to any room. But what if I told you that the “standard” peace lily is just the beginning of a much bigger, more diverse family?
You’ve come to the right place. I promise this guide will be your go-to resource, moving you from a casual admirer to a confident peace lily parent. We’ll unlock the secrets to choosing the perfect plant for your space, whether you have a tiny desk or a grand living room in need of a green centerpiece.
Get ready to explore the wonderful world of the different types of peace lilies. We’ll dive into petite, giant, and even stunningly variegated varieties. You’ll get a complete care guide with actionable tips, learn how to troubleshoot common problems, and even discover some eco-friendly best practices to help your green friend thrive for years to come.
What's On the Page
- 1 Why Choose a Peace Lily? More Than Just a Pretty Plant
- 2 A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Peace Lilies
- 3 Your Essential Peace Lily Care Guide: Best Practices for All Varieties
- 4 Common Problems with Different Types of Peace Lilies (And How to Fix Them!)
- 5 Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Peace Lily Practices
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Different Types of Peace Lilies
- 7 Your Journey with Peace Lilies Awaits
Why Choose a Peace Lily? More Than Just a Pretty Plant
Before we dive into the specific cultivars, let’s talk about why these plants are so beloved by gardeners everywhere. The Spathiphyllum genus, as it’s botanically known, offers so much more than just good looks. Understanding the benefits of different types of peace lilies can help you appreciate your plant even more.
One of their most famous traits is their ability to purify the air. In fact, they were part of NASA’s Clean Air Study, which found they are fantastic at removing common household toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia from the environment. Think of it as a beautiful, living air filter!
Beyond that, they are incredibly resilient. They tolerate lower light conditions better than many other flowering houseplants, making them perfect for that corner of your home that doesn’t get direct sun. They’re also very “talkative”—their leaves will dramatically droop to let you know they’re thirsty, taking all the guesswork out of watering. Don’t worry—these flowers are perfect for beginners!
Finally, there’s a powerful symbolism behind them. The white “flower,” which is actually a modified leaf called a spathe, resembles a white flag of truce, hence the name. They represent peace, purity, and healing, making them a thoughtful gift and a wonderful presence in your home.
A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Peace Lilies
Ready to meet the family? From tiny tabletop varieties to massive, floor-standing giants, there’s a peace lily for every style and space. This different types of peace lilies guide will help you find your perfect match.
Petite & Compact Varieties (Perfect for Desks & Shelves)
If you’re short on space, these smaller cultivars pack all the beauty into a manageable size. They rarely exceed 12-15 inches in height.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Wallisii’: This is the original, classic peace lily! It’s a charming dwarf variety with slightly rippled, glossy leaves and a mature height of about 12 inches. It’s the ancestor of many of the larger hybrids you see today.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Power Petite’: A true miniature, this little guy is a fantastic choice for terrariums or small office desks. It stays very compact, usually under 10 inches tall.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Yess’: A lesser-known but wonderful compact variety, ‘Yess’ is noted for its dense, bushy growth and profusion of small, delicate blooms.
Mid-Sized Classics (The All-Rounders)
These are likely the varieties you see most often in garden centers. They typically grow between 2 and 3 feet tall, making them substantial enough for a side table or a plant stand.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’: One of the most popular and widely available cultivars. It’s robust, with broad, dark green leaves and can reach up to 3 feet tall indoors. It’s a reliable bloomer and a very hardy choice.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Clevelandii’: Similar to ‘Mauna Loa’, this variety features long, lance-shaped leaves that have a lovely arching habit, giving it a very graceful appearance.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Tasson’: If you want a prolific bloomer, ‘Tasson’ is a great pick. It tends to produce a higher number of flowers than some other mid-sized varieties.
Giant & Statement Varieties (For a Touch of the Tropics)
If you want to make a bold statement, these are the peace lilies for you. These giants can transform a room with their massive leaves and impressive stature.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’: This is the king of peace lilies. ‘Sensation’ is the largest commercially available variety, capable of reaching 5-6 feet in height and width! Its leaves are enormous, deeply ribbed, and have a texture like corrugated cardboard. It’s a true showstopper.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Starlight’: Known for its incredible blooming power, ‘Starlight’ can produce up to 20 flowers at once on a mature plant. It has large, glossy leaves and is a truly stunning sight when in full bloom.
The Variegated Beauties (A Splash of Uniqueness)
For those who want something a little different, variegated peace lilies offer a stunning twist on the classic green. Their leaves are splashed, speckled, or marbled with white or cream.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Domino’: This is the most common variegated peace lily and a personal favorite. Its dark green leaves are generously speckled and streaked with creamy white. No two leaves are the same! It’s a mid-sized plant with the same easy-care nature as its all-green cousins.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Picasso’: The holy grail for many collectors! ‘Picasso’ features large, dramatic blocks of pure white variegation on its leaves. It can be a bit slower growing and harder to find, but its artistic beauty is unmatched.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Jetty’: This variety offers a more subtle variegation, often with streaks of white or silver that elegantly highlight its dark green foliage.
Your Essential Peace Lily Care Guide: Best Practices for All Varieties
Now that you’ve chosen your favorite, let’s talk about care. Learning how to care for different types of peace lilies is simple because their needs are quite similar across the board. Following these different types of peace lilies best practices will ensure your plant stays healthy and happy.
The “Just Right” Approach to Light
Peace lilies thrive in bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is perfect, providing gentle morning sun. They can also do well in north-facing windows or set back a few feet from a south or west-facing window.
Too much direct sun will scorch their leaves, leaving yellow patches or brown, crispy spots. Too little light, and your plant may not produce its signature white blooms. It will survive, but it won’t thrive.
Mastering the Art of Watering
This is the most critical part of peace lily care. They hate “wet feet,” so overwatering is a common mistake. The best method is to wait for the plant to tell you it’s thirsty. When the leaves start to droop slightly, it’s time to water.
When you do water, do it thoroughly. Let water run through the pot until it drains out the bottom. Then, discard any excess water from the saucer. Never let the plant sit in a puddle. If possible, use filtered, distilled, or rainwater, as peace lilies can be sensitive to the chlorine and fluoride in tap water, which can cause brown leaf tips.
Humidity & Temperature: Creating a Cozy Environment
As tropical rainforest natives, peace lilies love high humidity. If your home is dry, you can boost humidity by:
- Misting the leaves a few times a week.
- Placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water.
- Grouping it with other houseplants.
- Using a small humidifier nearby.
They prefer typical indoor temperatures between 65-85°F (18-30°C). Keep them away from cold drafts, open windows in winter, and sudden temperature changes.
Soil & Feeding for Thriving Growth
Use a well-draining, all-purpose potting mix. You can improve aeration by adding some perlite or orchid bark. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your peace lily every 6-8 weeks with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half-strength. Do not fertilize in the fall and winter when growth naturally slows down.
Common Problems with Different Types of Peace Lilies (And How to Fix Them!)
Even the easiest plants can have issues. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide to the most common problems with different types of peace lilies and how to solve them like a pro.
“Why Won’t My Peace Lily Bloom?”
This is the number one question I get! The most common culprit is insufficient light. Try moving your plant to a brighter location with more indirect sun. Other reasons could be that the plant is too young (it needs to be mature to bloom) or it needs fertilizer to encourage flowering.
“What are These Brown Tips on the Leaves?”
Crispy, brown leaf tips are almost always a sign of a watering issue or low humidity. It could be from inconsistent watering, but more often it’s due to chemicals in tap water. Switch to filtered water and see if that helps. Increasing humidity can also prevent new tips from browning.
“Help! My Plant is Yellowing and Droopy.”
Droopy leaves can mean underwatering OR overwatering. Check the soil! If it’s bone dry, your plant is just thirsty. If the soil is soggy and the yellowing starts at the base of the plant, you’re likely overwatering. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
Dealing with Pests
Peace lilies are quite pest-resistant, but they can occasionally attract spider mites or mealybugs. If you see fine webbing or tiny white cottony spots, act fast. Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth and treat the plant with a gentle insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Peace Lily Practices
Being a green gardener is about more than just having plants—it’s about caring for them and our planet. Incorporating sustainable different types of peace lilies care is easy and rewarding.
Start with your soil. Look for peat-free potting mixes. Peat moss harvesting is unsustainable and damages vital peatland ecosystems. A mix of coco coir, compost, and perlite is a fantastic eco-friendly different types of peace lilies alternative.
Save water by using a watering can to directly water the soil, reducing runoff. Better yet, collect rainwater for your plants! It’s free of the chemicals found in tap water that can harm sensitive plants like peace lilies.
One of the best sustainable practices is propagation. When your peace lily gets too big for its pot, you can divide it into smaller plants to share with friends. This is a great way to spread the joy of gardening without creating more consumer waste.
Frequently Asked Questions About Different Types of Peace Lilies
Are peace lilies toxic to pets?
Yes, peace lilies are toxic to both cats and dogs. They contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested. It’s best to keep them out of reach of curious pets and children.
How often should I repot my peace lily?
Repot your peace lily every 1-2 years, or when you see roots coming out of the drainage holes. Choose a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Repotting in a pot that’s too large can lead to waterlogged soil and root rot.
Can I grow a peace lily in just water?
Yes, you can! Peace lilies are one of the few houseplants that can adapt to growing hydroponically. Just make sure to change the water every week to provide oxygen and prevent bacterial growth, and add a drop of liquid fertilizer monthly.
Why is the white “flower” turning green?
This is a completely normal part of the blooming cycle! The white spathe is a modified leaf, not a true flower. After a few weeks, it will often turn green, photosynthesize, and eventually dry up. This just means the bloom is past its peak. You can trim it off at the base to encourage new growth.
Your Journey with Peace Lilies Awaits
From the tiny ‘Power Petite’ to the magnificent ‘Sensation’, there is truly a peace lily for every home and every gardener. We’ve covered the amazing benefits, explored a wide variety of cultivars, and provided a comprehensive care guide to help you succeed.
Remember that every plant is a journey. Pay attention to its signals—the droop of its leaves, the color of its spathes—and you’ll develop a wonderful connection with your green companion. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best in your space.
Now that you’re armed with these different types of peace lilies tips, you’re ready to choose the perfect one to bring peace and beauty into your life. Go forth and grow!
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