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Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)

Spathiphyllum, a.k.a Peace Lily, is a great plant to have in any vivarium.

Its lush dark green foliage and white popcorn-like flowers make it stand out from others. As an easy-care plant,

Peace Lily works well both with and without animals, making it ideal for any hobbyist’s collection.

The Peace Lily is not only a visually pleasing tropical plant but also a safe one, as it is non-toxic to all animals.

Quick Stats:
Scientific Name Spathiphyllum spp.
Common Name Peace Lily, Closet Plants
Family Name Araceae
Habitat Tropical Rainforest
Temperature 55°F to 80°F
Height 8 to 24 inches
pH 5.5 to 6.5
Lighting Medium to low intensity

What is a Peace Lily?

Peace Lily, or Spathiphyllum, is a tropical, evergreen perennial with large, glossy dark green leaves that can grow up to 8-24 inches long.

It produces stunning white, popcorn-like flowers, surrounded by a boat-shaped spathe, that can be produced yearly during its blooming season.

Peace Lily Facts

Peace Lily is believed to have some air-purifying features, helping to remove impurities from the air.

Spathiphyllum is a popular houseplant as it will almost survive without normal care and maintenance.

The plant is an important crop for the cut flower industry, with its stunning, long-lasting white blossoms.

Description

Spathiphyllum has thick, leathery, glossy foliage with an arrowhead shape to its blade. Its petioles are short and thick, with overlapping sheaths.

Usually, the leaves are between 8-24 inches long, with a deep green color, and an evergreen growth habit.

Peace lily flowers are typically quite small and white, with a boat-shaped spathe.

Habitat

Peace Lily is native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.

It prefers warm temperatures, humidity, and indirect light, making it well-suited for growth indoors.

It can also grow in outdoor vivariums if provided with protective shade or tropical environments.

PH Preference

Spathiphyllum prefers acidic soil ranging from a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. The substrate used for this plant should include peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite for maximum drainage.

Vivarium Type

The Peace Lily is quite an easy-going species. With that in mind, it will not be too complicated when it comes to choosing the type of enclosure it is grown in.

It is best to try and replicate the plant’s natural habitat as much as possible.

Doing so will make it easier to provide this foliage plant with its basic needs.

The proper setup and theme of the enclosure will make a big difference to the overall look and health of the plant.

Be sure to choose setups that are moist and high in humidity. Here are recommended vivariums it will do well in:

  • Paludariums – Half aquatic/ half terrain-based enclosure.
  • Terrariums – Fully terrain-based enclosures with little to no aquatic features.

Vivarium Placement

The Peace Lily can be used in both terrestrial and aquatic vivariums.

It is not a great plant for submerged growth but can survive in damp soil or semi-aquatic positions.

It’s lush foliage and white blossoms provide contrast and texture to the vivarium.

Substrate

Spathiphyllum grows best in a substrate that is loose, well-draining, and has plenty of organic matter.

A terrarium substrate mixed with peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is ideal.

When growing in a terrarium, the substrate should be two to four inches deep and provide enough nutrients to ensure the plant can thrive.

Lighting

The Peace Lily requires medium to low levels of light, preferably indirect sunlight.

Direct sun can damage the plant’s leaves so it is important to provide protection from the sun’s direct rays.

Terrarium lights such as LED lights or fluorescent lights can also be used.

Buy Peace Lily

When it comes to buying Spathiphyllum, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Making sure the plant is healthy when purchased is essential for its success in a vivarium.

Vegetation that is already in poor conditions will have a very hard time adjusting to new environments.

Click the image below to find out more about the current price and other relative info about this plant.

Peace Lily Care and Propagation

Peace Lily is a relatively easy-care plant with minimal maintenance required for it to thrive.

It is important to maintain the humidity, temperature, and light levels within the vivarium and monitor soil conditions, as the plant can be sensitive to changes in these areas.

Propagation of Spathiphyllum can be done by dividing the rhizomes or through cuttings.

How to Grow

Peace Lily is best grown when temperatures are between 55° F and 80° F.

It’s best to keep the soil slightly dry and slowly water your plant until the potting soil looks moist.

Do not leave water standing in the plant or in the pot as this will cause root rot.

Watering

The best way to water Spathiphyllum is to soak the plant or spray it with a water bottle.

The soil should be damp, not overly wet. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry.

The Peace Lily should be misted daily in order to maintain the humidity level needed for growth and flowering.

Plants Similar to Peace Lily

Adding diversity to an enclosure is key to an aesthetically pleasing setup.

Try mixing up the look of your vivarium with different flora that can easily co-exist in the same types of environment.

Furthermore, if for some reason you find the Peace Lily is hard to acquire or would like to consider something similar to this plant…

Here are other foliage plants you might find will do well with or in place of Spathiphyllum:

Pilea peperomioides "Chinese Money Plant" | The Care Guide
Silver Monstera siltepecana | The Plant Care Guide
Anthurium spp. "Laceleaf" Care Guide | Tropical Terrarium Plants

Conclusion

The Peace Lily, or Spathiphyllum, is a great easy care plant for any vivarium with its lush dark green foliage and white, popcorn flowers.

As a safe plant for all animals, this plant is ideal for use in a variety of enclosures. Its ability to survive in various climates, pH levels, and light capabilities makes it a great choice for anyone wanting to add a touch of class to their vivarium.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) should be watered once a week. The soil should always be kept moist but not soggy. Watering frequency may have to be adjusted to coincide with the season or climate, such as increasing the watering frequency in warmer and dryer climates.

To get your Peace Lily to bloom, it‘s important to give it plenty of indirect light and to keep the soil lightly moist. 

The average life expectancy of a Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) is approximately 35 years.

Yes, it is recommended to cut off brown tips from the leaves of a peace lily as this will help promote healthier, greener growth. To do this, use sharp, clean garden shears and angle the cut at 45 degrees. 

Yes, you should wipe your peace lily leaves. You can wipe them with a damp cloth or use a leaf oil spray. Regular cleaning of the peace lily leaves will provide the plant with the best health and prevent dust buildup, as well as preventing insect infestations.

A peace lily typically blooms once or twice a year, usually in the spring or summer months.

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