Why Pollinate a Peace Lily
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum species) are popular houseplants, recognized for their glossy, dark-green leaves and elegant white “flowers.” While often called flowers, the prominent white part is actually a modified leaf known as a spathe, which surrounds a central stalk called a spadix where the true, tiny flowers reside. These plants are native to tropical regions. The primary motivation for pollinating a peace lily is to collect seeds for propagation, leading to new plants for your collection. Unlike their natural habitat, indoor peace lilies rarely produce seeds on their own, making manual intervention necessary for seed development.
Understanding Peace Lily Flowers
The structure commonly identified as a peace lily “flower” is botanically termed an inflorescence, composed of two distinct parts: the spathe and the spadix. The spathe is the prominent white, leaf-like bract that envelops the central spadix. The true flowers are densely packed along the spadix. Within this spadix, both male and female flower parts are present, but they mature at different times, a process known as protogyny, which helps prevent self-pollination.
The female stage occurs first, typically lasting about 4 to 5 days after the spathe unfurls. During this phase, the receptive female parts, often located on the lower section of the spadix, may appear sticky or exhibit small, dew-like droplets. Following the female stage, the male phase begins, usually lasting 4 to 6 days. You can identify the male phase by the appearance of powdery pollen on the upper part of the spadix. Understanding these distinct maturation phases is crucial for successful manual pollination.
Manual Pollination Steps
Gather a small, soft-bristled paintbrush, a cotton swab, or tweezers to assist in pollen transfer. The process involves collecting pollen from a spadix in its male phase and transferring it to another spadix that is in its receptive female phase.
To collect pollen, gently tap or brush the upper part of a spadix that is producing visible, powdery pollen. This pollen can then be collected on your chosen tool. Immediately transfer this collected pollen to the receptive, often sticky, lower portion of a different spadix that is in its female phase. If pollen is not immediately available, it can be stored in a cool, dry environment, such as a refrigerator, for a short period. The window for successful pollination during the female receptive stage can be brief, sometimes lasting only one to two days.
Post-Pollination Care and Seed Production
After manually pollinating, signs of success typically become apparent over several weeks to months. If pollination is effective, the female part of the spadix will begin to swell and develop seed pods, a process that can take a few weeks. The spadix may also change color, often turning green as the plant directs energy towards seed development.
The seeds are ready for harvest when the spadix dries and turns brown or black, and the seed pods become firm. Carefully cut the entire spadix from the plant using clean scissors. The seeds are typically embedded within the spadix or small pods along its surface. Once harvested, the seeds can be gently removed and stored in a cool, dry place, such as a paper envelope, until you are ready to plant them.