- Topics: Shrubs Fact Sheets | Araceae (taxonomic family)
Edward F. Gilman2
Dwarf peace lily is a 12- to 15-inch-tall plant that is upright in form (Fig. 1). The shiny, dark green leaves of the dwarf peace lily give this plant its charm. These 10-inch-long, arching leaves have puckered veins that impart a rippled or puckered effect. Small, chalk white flowers are packed on a spadix borne in front of an attractive white spathe. These flowers occur in the spring and are followed by mostly inconspicuous, berry-like fruits.
Scientific name: Spathiphyllum x 'Wallisii'
Pronunciation: spath-iff-FILL-lum
Common name(s): dwarf peace lily
Family: Araceae
Plant type: herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 2)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: mass planting; container or above-ground planter; suitable for growing indoors
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Plant habit: round; upright
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: slow
Texture: medium
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: undulate
Leaf shape: ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 12 to 18 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: flowers periodically throughout the year
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: less than .5 inch
Fruit cover: fleshy
Fruit color: white
Fruit characteristic: showy
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Light requirement: plant grows in the shade
Soil tolerances: sand; acidic; loam
Drought tolerance: unknown
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
This plant can be used as a ground cover in completely shady areas of the landscape, or more commonly inside malls and other commercial buildings. It makes a nice, low-maintenance houseplant. It is also an attractive facer plant for taller shrubs and can be used around indoor pools.
Use this plant in a partially or fully shaded location in the landscape. The dwarf peace lily prefers rich, well-drained soils that are relatively acidic. It has no salt tolerance and favors warm temperatures. Fertilize this plant regularly during the growing season to maintain a dark green foliage color.
Mites, scales, and mealy bugs may be occasional problems.
This document is FPS-556, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.