The Peace Lily: Easy Indoor Flowering Plant

Do you have some trouble keeping your indoor plants looking healthy, or
even alive? You are not alone. Many indoor plants are of tropical or non
-local origin. This can pose a problem in some indoor climates that we
control with air conditioning in the summer which robs the air of
humidity (thankfully for human comfort) and with heat in the winter which
also dries the air and decreases the humidity.

Many plants thrive not only on the water and nutrients in the soil, but
also by drawing humidity from the surrounding air. Plants return this
their energy to us in the form of oxygen that they release back into the
air as they absorb carbon dioxide, the waste product of respiration of
many non-plant life forms including humans.

This symbiotic relationship between plants and other forms of life is
essential to our existence. When we cultivate plants in our home, we need
to provide them with their essential nutrients. Even though conditions
are not ideal indoors for all plants, some are extremely hardy, easy to
care for, and make great indoor plants that clean the air of toxins and
provide beauty.

The Peace Lily, pictured to the right, formally known as Spathiphyllum,
is an easy to grow tropical large rubbery green leaves and a long stemmed
white blossom that has an amazing stamen in the middle. These plants
prefer low light which makes them ideal for a bedroom or corner.
I have had the Peace Lily pictured for about four months and it has done
very well in my livingroom. I water it once to twice per week, usually
only once is sufficient. It likes moist soil but not soggy. Just don't
allow the soil to dry out completely and it should be fine. The indoor
temperature should stay between 62-80 degrees F (17-27 degrees C). Keep
it way from drafts such as doorways or air vents.

My Peace Lily flowers consistently, shedding the previous flower every
time it forms a new one. It has been one of my most easy to care for
plants with the most beautiful display. I purchased this one at a
supermarket for only $11. It is more than four feet tall and was a
bargain for a plant of its size. Check for sales of tropical plants in
your local area, you may find them at discount stores.