Julia Mironova

Features of spathiphyllum care, answers to questions.

Today, spathiphyllum is a very common and beloved houseplant by many flower growers. Many people are happy to grow a shrub that does not require special care skills and, moreover, pleases with exquisite and original inflorescences.

The genus Spathiphyllum consists of 45 plant species that have a short root system, are devoid of a stem and belong to the aroid family. Some types of spathiphyllum are very decorative.

The plant is native to tropical America, the tropics of Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia and the Philippine Islands.
The name of the plant consists of two words, which in translation from Greek mean "veil" and "leaf". Spathiphyllum got this name due to its unusual inflorescences, which in appearance really resemble a white blanket.

What does spathiphyllum look like

The leaves are basal, oval with solid edges. In the center of the leaf, the main vein and the thinner veins adjacent to it are clearly distinguished. The petioles expand at the base.

The inflorescence of the plant, as a rule, is represented by a white blanket, which is located around the cob. However, there are varieties of spathiphyllum with a greenish veil. The flowering period lasts from two to three weeks in spring. With proper care, the plant can bloom again in the second half of summer or early fall. At the end of the flowering period, dry inflorescences must be cut off.

The plant is not whimsical to lighting and feels great in partial shade and in diffused light. If the pot with a bush is in the shade, the foliage will acquire a rich green hue, and the shape of the leaf plate will become elongated. However, this may stop the flowering of spathiphyllum.

Placing the plant on a south window can result in leaf burns. Thus, you can put the plant on the north window, but you are unlikely to get flowers. When choosing a south window, take care of protecting the crown from sunlight. In this case, your spathiphyllum will be healthy, strong and blooming profusely.

As for the temperature regime, in spring and summer it is necessary to adhere to 22-23 degrees, and in autumn and winter, make sure that the thermometer does not drop below 16 degrees.

Note: spathiphyllum reacts extremely negatively to drafts in the room.

The plant is very demanding on moisture, so watering is necessary throughout the year. During the period of active growth, the frequency and volume of irrigation are increased, and in winter they are slightly reduced, but the earthen coma should not be allowed to dry out. Excess water trapped in the pan must be removed.

Spathiphyllum needs high air humidity. To create optimal conditions, the following techniques are used:

  • spraying with soft water;
  • placing a container with a plant in a pallet with wet moss or sand;
  • growing spathiphyllum in an aquarium;
  • organization of a warm shower once a month.

Tip: during spraying, water should not get on the inflorescences.

During the flowering period, the plant needs additional nutrients. For this, it is better to purchase special drugs in the store.

Spathiphyllum should be transplanted very carefully, since the root system of the plant is rather weak and after the procedure, the bush can adapt to new conditions for a long time. Transplanting the plant is necessary when the roots take up the entire volume of the flower pot.

There are several methods for reproduction of spathiphyllum:

  • cuttings;
  • division of the root system.

Possible growing difficulties

In general, spathiphyllum is an unpretentious plant, however, if the recommendations are not followed, some difficulties may arise.

Do spathiphyllum leaf tips dry?

1. Excessively dry indoor air.
As a rule, flowerpots are placed on windowsills, in the immediate vicinity of batteries. Thus, warm and dry air causes the tips of the leaves to dry out.

How to solve the problem.

  • Experts advise using an additional source of moisture in addition to the daily spathiphyllum spraying. To do this, you need to take a pallet, pour expanded clay or sand into it and slightly moisten it.

Note: the roots of the plant should never touch the water.

  • You can also put a layer of moss in the pot and moisten it a little.
  • In addition to moss, special wood is used.
  • In specialized stores, you can buy humidifiers that maintain the necessary moisture level for the plant.
    The easiest way is to pour water into a container and place it near the flowerpot.
  • It will be much easier for the flower to endure difficult conditions if you arrange a warm shower for it once a week.

2. Failure to comply with the watering regime.

  • Sometimes the tips of the leaves dry out from a lack or excess of water. Also, the plant does not tolerate sharp drops between drought and abundant watering.

Why doesn't spathiphyllum bloom?

As a rule, the reason for the lack of buds and flowers on the plant is improper care.

1. Inconsistency between the size of the plant and the pot.

If the flowerpot is much larger than the root system of the spathiphyllum, the plant will not bloom, since the main forces of the plant are directed to the development of leaves.

How to solve the problem.

  • Transplant the bush into a smaller pot.
  • For two weeks, keep spathiphyllum at a temperature no higher than 15 degrees.

Spathiphyllum leaves turn yellow

1. Lack of moisture.

If you do not follow the watering regime and the earthen lump is too dry, then the leaves of the plant begin to turn yellow.

How to solve the problem.

  • It is necessary to water the plant regularly, however, you should not abruptly flood the bush with water. After a severe drought, it is necessary to gradually moisten the soil.

2. Dry indoor air.

How to solve the problem.

  • Spray the plant regularly.
  • Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.
  • Organize an additional source of moisture.

3. Leaves are damaged by insects.

How to solve the problem.

  • It is necessary to treat the plant with special chemicals.

Why do the leaves of spathiphyllum turn black

1. Problems with the root system. However, the death of roots is only a consequence, and the main reasons may be the following:

  • excess moisture;
  • too frequent and abundant spraying;
  • cold air in the room.

How to solve the problem.

  • It is necessary to remove the bush from the flowerpot, carefully clean the roots from the ground and examine them. The damaged roots must be completely removed, the remaining ones must be treated with a special agent to stimulate the growth of the root system and the spathiphyllum must be planted in a new substrate.

2. Imbalance in plant nutrition.

The reason for the black spots on the leaves can be either a lack of fertilizer or an excess of it.

How to solve the problem.

Often, spathiphyllums suffer from a lack of nitrogen in the soil. That is why growers are advised to fertilize the plant with nitrogen-containing preparations. In addition, one should not forget about complex fertilizers, which are important to apply to the soil throughout the year.

3. Cold air and drafts.

If your plant has been in cold air and in a draft for a long time, the tips of the still unblown leaves will begin to blacken.

Why do spathiphyllum leaves dry?

1. Unsuitable substrate.

As a rule, in stores, plants are contained in a poor-quality substrate that contains insufficient amounts of nutrients. As a result, the leaves begin to dry.

How to solve the problem.

  • Immediately after buying a plant, it must be transplanted, while it is important to free the roots from the old soil as much as possible and replace it with good and dead soil.

Note: After transplanting, the tips of the leaves may turn yellow, this is a natural reaction to stress and a change of scenery.

2. Irregular watering or watering with cold water.

If you water spathiphyllum only after the soil is very dry, use cold water, and excess moisture remains in the pan, this will certainly affect the root system, and soon the leaves of the plant.

How to solve the problem.

Watering must be carried out regularly to prevent the soil from drying out too much. Use soft, settled water at room temperature.

Why does spathiphyllum turn yellow?

  • The plant naturally renews the crown. Typically, few leaves may turn yellow after the end of the flowering period.
  • The plant has spent a lot of energy and "shedding" the leaves - this is one of the stages of the renewal of the bush.
  • The pot with sppatiphyllum is in the bright sun. Remember that the plant grows best in diffused light.
  • The presence of pests. Most often, spathiphyllum is damaged by thrips, spider mites and mealybugs.
  • Insufficient humidity in the room.

Why do flowers turn green at spathiphyllum?

When the flowering period ends, the covers of the inflorescences acquire a greenish tint. This is a natural process. When the flower turns green, you can cut it off completely, leaving all the leaves behind. Some varieties of spathiphyllum have a greenish inflorescence tint.

Spathiphyllum care video


Spathiphyllums are very popular among flower growers and this is understandable. The plant does not require special knowledge and specific care skills. However, it should be remembered that the bush must be regularly sprayed, watered fairly abundantly and protected from direct sunlight. Observing all the recommendations of specialists, you will certainly be able to grow a healthy and beautiful plant and protect it from pests and diseases.