The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is an immensely popular houseplant, beloved for its undemanding nature and willingness to grow even in low-light situations. The plant’s popular name derives from the delicate flowers that soar above the leaves like white flags. Even when not blooming, the peace lily’s gently arching foliage still evokes a sense of tranquility.
Peace lilies are a part of the philodendron family, and are sometimes called “spaths,” a shortening of their Latin name. These plants feature shiny, lance-shaped leaves of dark green and occasionally send up unusual flowers. The most noticeable part of the bloom is the white spathe or bract. Inside the spathe is a white or pale yellow spadix, which is the true flower. Most varieties grow between 1 and 3 feet in height and width.
Peace lily thrive in shade or partial shade, as they grow on woodland floors with just dappled sun feeding their need for light. Perfect for filling a dimly lit spot in your home, the peace lily’s bright-green leaves and pure white flower brightens any corner. Of the types of peace lilies that thrive indoors, they are available in sizes ranging from dwarf to giant.
Plant Profile
| Common Name | Peace lily, spath lily |
| Botanical Name | Spathiphyllum spp. |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type | Flowering tropical plant |
| Mature Size | 1–3 ft. tall; up to 6 feet tall outdoors |
| Sun Exposure | Partial shade |
| Soil Type | Moist but well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | White or yellow |
| Hardiness Zones | 11–12, USA |
| Native Area | Central America, Asia |
| Toxicity | Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to humans |
Types of Peace Lily
Peace lilies have been hybridized to produce many different varieties, including cultivars that range from 1 to 6 feet tall and grow as clumps between 1 and 5 feet wide. Varieties of peace lily include:
- Piccolino Peace Lily
- Sensation Peace Lily
- Patricia Peace Lily
- Sonia Peace Lily
- Little Angel Peace Lily
- White Stripe Peace Lily
- Domino Peace Lily
- Jetty Peace Lily
- Mauna Loa Supreme Peace Lily
- Peace Lily Clevelandii
- Peace Lily Power Petite
- Peace Lily Picasso
- Allison Peace Lily
- Peace Lily Bongo Bongo
- Peace Lily Figaro
- Peace Lily Sebastiano
- Peace Lily kochii
- Peace Lily wallisii
- Cupido Peace Lily
- Chopin Peace Lily
Domino Peace Lily
Domino’ has shiny, ruffled, dark green leaves speckled with white streaks. The variegated foliage adds interest along with the prolific flowers. It will get 30 inches tall and wide.
Piccolino Peace Lily
The Piccolino peace lily is a dwarf variety, and it has dark green leaves with pure white blooms.
Sensational Peace Lily
Sensation’ is the largest of all commercially produced peace lilies as it will mature at 6 feet tall and wide. The foliage is dark green with a tough, ribbed texture, making it an attractive plant when it is not in bloom. The large, well-shaped flowers are produced intermittently.
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Patricia Peace Lily
Patricia is a compact variety that features rich green leaves and white flowers.
Allison Peace Lily
This is a hybrid that has flowers that resemble calla lilies. Allison is a compact peace lily that will be around 24 inches in height. It has medium-sized, dark green leaves and a profuse flowering habit.
Sonia Peace Lily
Sonia stands out from other peace lilies because of its small stature and adorable white flowers.
Picasso Peace Lily
The Picasso Peace Lily is an extremely rare and sought after variety of peace lily. It has highly prized variegation, that appear like “paint strokes”, which sets this one apart from all other varieties of spathiphyllum.
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White Striped Peace Lily
This compact variety has green leaves with a matte finish and a white stripe running up the center.
Starlight Peace Lily
Starlight’ has striking, shiny, tough, dark green foliage. It has a dwarf, compact growth habit and will mature at the height of 12 to 18 inches.
Jetty Peace Lily
Jetty’ is a fast growing, variety of Spathiphyllum with loads of white blooms.Jetty’ has lush, glossy green foliage with long-lasting white flowers. Its height ranges from 19 to 24 inches.
Mauna Loa’ Peace Lily
Mauna Loa Supreme’ is one of the medium-sized peace lilies. This plant will grow to a height of about 2 to 3 feet. Its 9-inch long and 5-inch wide, glossy, lance-shaped leaves are produced on 10- to 12-inch stalks. The flower stem can be 15 to 20 inches long, and the flowers are up to 4 inches wide.
Bongo Bongo Peace Lily
This is a larger variety, and it has large leaves that are ten to twelve inches long.This vigorous and easy to grow Spathiphyllum has foliage with improved basal branching which gives the plant a fuller appearance. The naturally glossy, lush dark green leaves have well-defined deep veins adding to the overall symmetrical beauty of the plant.
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Little Angle Peace Lily
Little Angel’ is a dwarf variety and a frequent bloomer which makes this spathiphyllum perfect for tables and countertops. It has a compact growth and can be repotted and divided into several new plants. The flowers can be easily spotted as they grow atop the leaves looking like an arranged bouquet.
Wallisii Peace Lily
Wallisii’ is a small, compact, and vigorous peace lily that reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches. It has delicate, 3-inch blooms with 8 to 10 inch long, rippled leaves.
Peace Lily Clevelandii
This variety has leaves that are longer than others, and they can reach lengths of as much as 18 inches. It grows up to three feet tall.
Power Petite Peace Lily
The smallest of the Peace Lily variety, growing to around 15-20cm high, it impresses with fine rich green foliage and beautiful white flowers. The Power Petite offers up all the great features of a Peace Lily packaged into a compact size. Perfect for that small space where a burst of colour is required.
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Figaro Peace Lily
Figaro peace lily is a Dutch hybrid that’s tolerant to chilling. The spathes are pure white, the foliage is deep green, and it loves indirect light. A striking plant when used in mass display, it blooms in spring with long-lasting flower stalks that hover gracefully over the foliage.
Sebastiano Peace Lily
The Peace Lily Sebastiano is characterized with gorgeous tall growth habit and large emerald green foliage with distinct ribbing on the leaves. A true statement in its own right. Perfect for those dull corners or even a well-lit spot, where this elegant beauty will produce many white blooms.
Peace Lily Kochii
Peace lily kochii is medium variety with large, shiny, ribbed, dark green leaves that are shaped like lances.The white spathe (flowers) are are similar in shape to the Arum lily. From the center of the spathe a creamy white spike is produced on which are borne tiny flowers. When grown outdoors it can grow to 2m in height but as a houseplant it just reached approximately 0.5m.