The Spathiphyllum, commonly known as the Peace Lily, is a highly favored houseplant recognized for its striking white blooms and glossy green foliage. These elegant plants require minimal attention, but owners often question how to handle spent flowers. Knowing the correct procedure for removing dead flowers, known as deadheading, is important for maintaining the plant’s health and appearance.
Understanding Peace Lily Blooms
What most people call the Peace Lily’s flower is actually a specialized leaf structure called a spathe. This large, white bract wraps around the true flower spike, a fleshy column known as the spadix. The tiny flowers are densely packed onto the spadix itself.
When the inflorescence first emerges, the spathe is bright white, but it often transitions to a pale green shade as it matures. Once the bloom is spent, the spathe will wilt and turn brown or black, while the spadix shrivels. This discoloration and drooping signals that the structure is ready to be removed.
How to Remove Spent Flowers (Deadheading)
The answer to whether you should remove the dead flowers is a definitive yes, and the process is called deadheading. To perform this maintenance correctly, you will need a clean, sharp cutting tool, such as sterilized shears or sharp scissors, to ensure a clean cut and minimize the risk of introducing pathogens.
Locate the stem, or peduncle, that the spent flower is growing on and trace it all the way down into the base of the plant. The cut should be made as close to the soil line as possible, or just above the point where the flower stalk emerges from the foliage. Cutting the entire stalk is important because leaving a stub of dead or decaying plant material can create an entry point for pests and diseases.
This routine maintenance should also include removing any yellowed or brown leaves that may be present on the plant. Unlike the flower stem, which will not grow back, the Peace Lily will respond to this pruning by sending up new growth from the rhizome. Always make sure your tools are clean before moving to another part of the plant.
Why Deadheading is Necessary for Growth
Removing faded blooms is not only a matter of aesthetics but also a physiological requirement for the plant’s continued health and flowering cycle. A primary reason for deadheading is energy conservation. When a flower is allowed to remain on the plant, the Spathiphyllum will divert energy resources toward the development of seeds within the spadix.
By removing the entire flower stalk, you prevent this reproductive process from draining the plant’s reserves. This action redirects the plant’s energy and nutrients back into producing new, healthy foliage and new flower structures. This conserved energy contributes to more abundant and prolonged blooming periods.
Spent flowers, especially those that become wet, also pose a risk for pest and disease issues. Decaying organic matter on the plant can trap moisture and become a breeding ground for fungus gnats or encourage fungal infections. Regular removal of these dying structures helps maintain a clean growing environment, promoting the overall vigor of the Peace Lily.