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Spathiphyllum wallisii
Toxic🐾Einblatt · (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Arum family (Araceae)
Description
Spathiphyllum wallisii, commonly known as peace lily, white sails, or spathe flower, is a very popular indoor house plant of the family Araceae. The genus name means "spathe-leaf", and the specific epithet is named after Gustav Wallis, the German plant collector. It was first described in 1877.
External use only!
This plant must NOT be taken internally. Use only as compress, salve, or bath.
- RawWhole plantExternalFolk medicine
When kept as a living houseplant, the peace lily absorbs benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from indoor air according to the NASA Clean Air Study (Wolverton et al. 1989). It ranks among the top 5 tested plants. The mechanism relies on uptake through leaves and soil microorganisms.
Preparation & dosage
[#src_sp_src_nasa_spathiphyllum_wallisii] [#src_sp_src_wp_en_spathiphyllum_wallisii]
- RawWhole plantExternalClinical trial
A follow-up study (Kim et al. 2014, PMC4334964) examined 86 houseplant species for their ability to remove benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene. Spathiphyllum wallisii showed measurable absorption rates for formaldehyde and benzene in closed test chambers.
Preparation & dosage
- RawLeafExternalFolk medicine
Spathiphyllum wallisii releases water vapour through transpiration, raising relative humidity in dry indoor spaces. In heated winter rooms this can measurably improve the indoor climate.
Preparation & dosage
[#src_sp_src_rhs_spathiphyllum_wallisii] [#src_sp_src_wp_en_spathiphyllum_wallisii]
- RawFlowerExternalFolk medicine
The peace lily is one of the few houseplants that flower in partial shade. Its white spathes are regarded as a symbol of peace. Biophilia research associates flowering houseplants with psychological relaxation effects.
Preparation & dosage
[#src_sp_src_wp_en_spathiphyllum_wallisii] [#src_sp_src_rhs_spathiphyllum_wallisii]
Distribution in Europe
🪴 Grow at home
- ☀ Light
- low light
- 💧 Water
- weekly
- 🌱 Soil
- Loose potting compost
- 🪴 Pot
- 20 cm
- ⭐ Difficulty
- ★☆☆ beginner
- 🐾 Pets
- toxic to pets
Tips:
- Droopy leaves = thirsty — water immediately, recovers in hours.
- Blooms reliably even in partial shade.
- TOXIC if eaten — mouth irritation.
Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.