Festive month with the Spathiphyllum
The festive month of December is full of coziness and light, but also dry air due to heating systems. That's why the air-purifying Plant of the Month December is the Spathiphyllum, also known as the Peace Lily. This elegant houseplant is not only beautiful to look at but also contributes to a healthier living environment. In this article, we dive deeper into its origins, air-purifying qualities, care tips, and more about the versatile Spathiphyllum.
Origin and significance
The Spathiphyllum is native to the tropical rainforests of South and Central America but is also found in parts of Southeast Asia. In these shady and humid environments, the plant grows near water sources, benefitting from constant humidity and a sheltered environment. These conditions have made the plant robust and relatively easy to maintain.
The Spathiphyllum symbolizes peace, tranquility, and harmony, thanks in part to its ornate, white flowers, which is why it is also known as the Peace Lily. This symbolism makes the December Plant of the Month a popular gift for special occasions, such as weddings or birthdays. In addition, the Spathiphyllum has a second nickname: Spoon Plant. This nickname can be traced back to the shape of the flower.
Air-purifying qualities
The Spathiphyllum is best known for its powerful air-purifying properties. Research by Fytagoras Science and NASA, among others, shows that this plant can effectively remove pollutants from the air, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. This makes the Spoon Plant an excellent choice for offices, bedrooms, and living rooms where air quality is often less than optimal. In addition, the plant increases humidity, which can provide relief from dry skin, irritated eyes, and respiratory problems, especially in the winter months.
The Spathiphyllum was Air So Pure's first product group and is also our best-known, air-purifying plant. The combination of its beautiful white flowers and its air-purifying properties makes the Spathiphyllum the perfect Plant of the Month December !
Growers of the Spathiphyllum
The Air Purifying Plant of the Month December is grown by five of our members , each with their own strengths and specialties.
- Bestplant: Since 1994, Bestplant has been the absolute specialist in growing large Spathiphyllum plants, with pot sizes between 17 and 27cm.
- Concorde Plants: Since 2023, Concorde Plants has been growing several varieties of high-quality Spathiphyllum in pot size 13cm.
- KP Holland: Within Air So Pure, KP Holland works on the breeding, propagation, production, and sales of the Spathiphyllum Pearl Cupido in compact pot sizes 7, 9, and 15cm.
- Van der Voort Potplanten: Within Air So Pure, Van der Voort works on breeding, growing, producing and selling the Spathiphyllum in pot sizes 6.5, 9, 10.5, 12, 13, 17 and 23cm.
- Westland Plant: Family-owned Westland Plant grows the high-quality Spathiphyllum in pot sizes 14 and 17cm.
Different species of Spathiphyllum
There are more than 40 varieties of Spathiphyllum, each with its charm. In the Air So Pure assortment, you will find a total of 14 different pot sizes and 17 different varieties. So there is always a suitable variety for your environment, from small varieties of 22 cm to large eye-catchers of 160 centimeters high! Some popular varieties of the Plant of the Month December are:
- Spathiphyllum ‘Cupido’: An elegant hybrid often praised for its long flowering time.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’: A large variety with wider leaves, ideal for larger spaces.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Sweet Chico’: A compact variety with an abundance of flowers, perfect for smaller living spaces.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Torelli’: A full plant with lots of flowers.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Sweet Isabella’: An exclusive variety with thick, dark green leaves.
- Spathiphyllum ‘Vivaldi’: Voluminous plants with lots of flowers.
In addition to the above species, Air So Pure also offers the Spathiphyllum Sweet Lauretta, Spathiphyllum Silvana, Spathiphyllum Sweet Sebastiano, Spathiphyllum Sweet Ricardo, Spathiphyllum Chopin, Spathiphyllum Rondo, Spathiphyllum Bellini, Spathiphyllum Strauss and the Spathiphyllum Sweet Silvo.
Care tips for a healthy Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
The Spathiphyllum, or Air So Pure Plant of the Month December, is a very simple plant, and with proper care, you can enjoy it for months.
- Light: Place the plant in an area with indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves, while too little light inhibits flowering.
- Watering: Keep the soil slightly moist, but not soggy. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. Because the Spathiphyllum also survives in swamps in the wild, the plant can handle "wet feet" quite well but try not to make a habit of this. Forgot to water once? No problem! If the Spathiphyllum is thirsty, it will let you know by drooping its leaves. With a new splash of water in no time the Spathiphyllum will look beautiful again.
- Humidity: Since the Spathiphyllum naturally comes from humid areas, it appreciates high humidity. Spray the leaves regularly with water to prevent dehydration.
- Nutrition: In summer, give the plant a small amount of plant food once a month. During summer, the Peace Lily is most active and therefore needs some extra help during this time.
- Pruning: Remove yellow or brown leaves and flowers to keep the plant healthy and encourage new growth. Trim the flower as low as possible near the roots.
Is the Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) poisonous?
Although the Spathiphyllum is a wonderful addition to your home decor, it may be nice to know that the plant is poisonous to pets and humans if ingested. The leaves and flowers contain certain dust, which can cause irritation of the mouth, throat, and stomach. Therefore, place the plant out of the reach of children and pets, then you can still enjoy this beautiful plant every day!
Why is the Spathiphyllum Plant of the Month in December?
The Spathiphyllum is not only a decorative gem but also actively contributes to a healthier living environment. Whether you want to improve air quality, add a green-and-white accent to your interior or are simply looking for a low-maintenance plant, the Spathiphyllum is an excellent choice.
Bring a piece of tropical rainforest to your environment and enjoy the benefits of this air-purifying hero. Place it on your desk, in the bedroom, or next to the couch, and experience for yourself why the Spathiphyllum is the Air Purifying Plant of the Month for December.
Enjoy nature indoors too and experience the benefits of air-purifying plants, such as increased creativity, productivity, and concentration! Check our store locator for all participating stores with the Spathiphyllum and score your Air Purifying Plant of the Month in December now!