The Diamond Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Diamond’) is a popular houseplant, valued for its striking appearance and ease of indoor care. Its elegant form and straightforward requirements make it a favored choice among plant enthusiasts, bringing a tropical feel to any space.
Unique Characteristics of the Diamond Peace Lily
The ‘Diamond’ cultivar stands out with its unique variegation. Its deep green foliage features splashes, flecks, and streaks of white and cream, creating a marbled or striped pattern that resembles a diamond-like shimmer. Each leaf often displays a unique pattern, enhancing its ornamental value.
The variegated foliage is its main aesthetic appeal, offering a distinctive twist on the traditional Peace Lily. It also produces classic white spathe flowers, which contrast beautifully with the vibrant variegated leaves. These traits make the Diamond Peace Lily a sought-after variety for adding elegance and a focal point indoors.
Diamond Peace Lily Care Guide
Light
Diamond Peace Lilies thrive in bright, indirect light, mimicking their natural habitat. A north or east-facing window is ideal, providing sufficient light without direct sun. Direct sunlight can scorch leaves, causing yellowing or browning. Insufficient light reduces variegation vibrancy and slows growth.
Water
Maintain consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. The plant will visibly droop when thirsty and recovers quickly after watering. Using filtered or distilled water is beneficial, as Peace Lilies are sensitive to minerals and fluoride in tap water, which can cause browning leaf tips.
Soil and Potting
Use a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix. A mix with peat, perlite, and compost, or a specialized aroid mix, provides moisture retention and aeration. The pot must have drainage holes. Repotting is needed every one to two years, or when roots emerge from drainage holes. When repotting, select a pot only one to two inches larger in diameter to prevent excess moisture retention.
Temperature and Humidity
Diamond Peace Lilies prefer average room temperatures, between 18-27°C (65-80°F). They are sensitive to cold drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations, which can damage leaves. As tropical plants, they thrive in high humidity; 50-70% is ideal. To increase humidity, mist leaves regularly, place the plant on a pebble tray with water, or use a humidifier.
Fertilizer
Fertilize Diamond Peace Lilies to support growth and flowering during the active growing season (spring and summer). Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength, monthly. Avoid over-fertilization, as this can lead to nutrient burn and root damage. Reduce or cease fertilization during fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows.
Common Problems and Solutions
Yellowing leaves indicate watering issues. Consistently soggy soil suggests overwatering, causing root rot. If leaves are yellowing and crispy, the plant is underwatered. Adjust the watering schedule to allow the topsoil to dry slightly before rewatering.
Browning leaf tips are caused by low humidity, mineral buildup from tap water, or temperature extremes. Increase humidity through misting or pebble trays, use filtered water, and maintain stable temperatures to prevent this. Wilting leaves indicate a need for water; the plant perks up after a thorough drink, though persistent wilting can also signal root rot from overwatering. A lack of flowering is due to insufficient light or nutrient deficiency; move the plant to a brighter indirect light spot and ensure regular, diluted fertilization to encourage blooms.
Toxicity Information
Peace Lilies, including the Diamond variety, contain calcium oxalate crystals, making them toxic if ingested. While generally considered mildly poisonous, consumption by humans or pets causes irritation. Symptoms include burning or tingling in the mouth, oral pain, swelling of the lips and tongue, and digestive upset like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Keep the plant out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.