Should I Trim the Leaves of a Spathiphyllum?

Description

• The peace lily has broad, sword-shaped leaves that are shiny and deep green. The leaves are heavily veined with a thick mid-rib and curve out appealingly in a thick fountain shape. Spathiphyllum produces an inflorescence consisting of a hooded white to cream spathe which is a modified leaf. Inside the spathe is a heavily textured and bumpy spire called the spadix. The flowers are bisexual and perform the functions of pollen and embryonic production all in the inflorescence. The plant flowers once annually in late winter and it has a slow to moderate growth rate.

Culture

• The plants are originally from the tropical rain forests of Central America and should be kept moist but not soggy in a well-drained planting medium. Many growers think they are overwatering the plant because the leaves may yellow or turn brown on the edges. The brown edges are due to excessively high light levels. The plant should grow in indirect light for the best foliage. You can just trim the tips off where they turned brown. Fertilize your peace lily once per year at the beginning of the growing season and repot it when it is root-bound.

Diseases

• Some diseases of spathiphyllum will damage the lovely foliage. In these cases it is often necessary to remove the leaves by cutting them out down at the base of the stem. Phytophthora leaf spot is a fungal disease that causes wilting and discoloration on the foliage. Myrothecium leaf spot is caused by splashing water on the leaves that contains infectious spores. Xanthomonas produces water-soaked lesions and is common when peace lily is grown near a dieffenbachia. All these leaf problems can be limited or prevented by keeping the leaves clean and dry, watering from the bottom and increasing air circulation where the plant is grown.

Foliage Maintenance

• The foliage may also become discolored or malformed due to insects such as whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs and many other pests. Insecticidal soaps and foliage baths usually work to combat most insects. The damage they leave behind may be spots, mined tissue, wilting, sooty mold and leaf contortions. It makes the plant more appealing if you remove damaged leaf tissue. Cut the leaves off at the base of the stem, not the petiole, to prevent brown ugly stems from ruining the plant's appearance.