- Topics: Shrubs Fact Sheets | Araceae (taxonomic family)
Publication #FPS-556
Spathiphyllum x 'Wallisii' Dwarf Peace Lily1
Edward F. Gilman2
Introduction
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.
Dwarf peace lily
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General Information
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
Shaded area represents potential planting range.
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Description
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Plant habit: round; upright
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: slow
Texture: medium
Foliage
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
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: flowers periodically throughout the year
Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: less than .5 inch
Fruit cover: fleshy
Fruit color: white
Fruit characteristic: showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Culture
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
Other
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
Use and Management
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.
Pests and Diseases
Mites, scales, and mealy bugs may be occasional problems.
Footnotes
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.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county's UF/IFAS Extension office.
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.
