How to grow spathiphyllum at home?

Spathiphyllum is a plant with beautiful leaves and original flowers. The unpretentious flower is popular among experienced and novice florists. If you are looking for a plant that will bloom almost all year round, then this is spathiphyllum. Caring for it at home is simple, does not require special skills. It is enough to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of cultivation.

Description and general information

Spathiphyllum, or Spathiphyllum (Latin Spathiphyllum) belongs to the Aroid family. The natural growing environment is a tropical climate. Distributed in East Asia and America. About 40 species are known. As a houseplant, spathiphyllum is distinguished by a variety of varieties and colors. Evergreen herbaceous perennial, average height up to 30 cm. There are tall and dwarf varieties.

The plant does not have a stem, a bunch of leaves grows directly from the ground. Leaves are dark green, oblong-lanceolate. Spathfullum flowers look original - ears on long peduncles of cream or pale pink color. The flower is surrounded by a white veil, which gradually turns green. The shape of the coverlet is compared to a flag waving in the wind. For this, the people often call him a flag-leaf.

Inexperienced amateur flower growers sometimes face a lack of flowering. Achieve it with enhanced care, compliance with all growing rules. Blooms from spring to mid-summer. Sometimes it blooms again in autumn.

Interesting! All types of spathiphyllum are popularly known under the name "female happiness". It is believed to banish loneliness from home. It helps single girls find a betrothed, family girls - to establish relationships with a second half, childless - to have children.

Varieties of spathiphyllum

Houses are trying to grow the most unpretentious varieties of spathiphyllum. Many naturally occurring plant species are adapted for growing in apartments, improved by breeders. Here are some popular varieties.

• Wallis Spathiphyllum. Served as the basis for the creation of most modern varieties. The bush reaches 45 cm, the inflorescence is up to 10 cm. It is considered the most unpretentious of all existing species.
• Spathiphyllum Domino. Differs in high decorativeness not only of flowers, but also of leaves. They are neat, oblong in shape, with a sharp tip. The variety got its name because of its unusual color - randomly scattered light strokes and stripes on a dark green background. The advantage of the variety is long flowering.
• Spathiphyllum Chopin. A small bush no more than 40 cm tall. The leaves are neat, oblong, the veins are pronounced. The variety was bred by breeders. Differs in an unobtrusive, but pleasant aroma.
• Spathiphyllum Sensation. Tall hybrid. With good care, it reaches a height of one and a half meters. The inflorescences are large, expressive.
• Spathiphyllum Strauss. An interesting undersized variety no more than 30 cm in height. The leaves are elongated, leathery, dark green.
• Spathiphyllum is abundantly flowering.A popular variety with a long flowering period. The inflorescences are medium in size, the leaves are oval, darkening as they mature. The peduncle is long.

Spathiphyllum care

It is easy to organize spathiphyllum care at home. The plant does not require care, it easily tolerates temporary inconveniences. But for active growth and friendly flowering, it is recommended to adhere to the basic rules.

• Location and lighting. Loves bright light, grows well in partial shade. It is not recommended to put in a place that is too dark. The leaves from this become small, not so expressive. Grows best on the north window. In the south, they must shade from the direct sun. Afraid of drafts.
• Temperature. Prefers an average room temperature of about 22-23 ° C. It can grow at lower temperatures up to 16 ° C. With a further decrease, growth stops, the plant begins to hurt.
• Watering spathiphyllum. During growth and flowering, watered abundantly. In autumn and winter, it is rare and moderate. Use warm water with a temperature of 18-23 ° C. Avoid stagnation of moisture at the bottom of the pot - the root system suffers from excess moisture.
• Humidity. High humidity is the only prerequisite for successful flower cultivation. In warm weather, the plant is sprayed twice a day. Additionally, they put the pot in a container with expanded clay or pebbles, pour a little water into it.
• The soil for spathiphyllum is made up of peat, humus, sod and leafy earth. Add sand, crushed sphagnum, hydrogel granules. Sod should prevail in a properly prepared mixture. It is taken twice as much as the rest of the components.
• Top dressing. Fertilizers are applied twice a month for the entire period of flowering and active growth. In winter, the frequency of fertilizing is reduced to once a month. The plant loves organic matter. Gratefully responds to the introduction of a solution of poultry droppings. Reacts well to watering with preparations for flowering plants.
• Spathiphyllum transplant. It is recommended to replant annually by transshipment, trying not to damage the root system. Adult plants do not need to be disturbed by a transplant for 2 years. For quick adaptation to the new pot, the first time after transplantation, enhanced care is organized.

Advice! The pot for spathiphyllum is not chosen very spacious. With an excess of space, the plant directs efforts to build foliage. Flowering becomes scarce or stops altogether.

Reproduction methods

Propagated by dividing the bush, seeds and apical cuttings. Sowing with seeds is used in rare cases - to grow a new variety. There is no need to use cuttings. The plant produces many babies.

When children appear, the bush is divided into several parts. They make sure that roots and a growth point remain on each. In the absence of roots, the young plant is planted in wet sand for rooting. Small pots are used - about 9 cm.

Important! Sometimes the plant does not bloom for a long time. Why doesn't spathiphyllum bloom? Perhaps the plant is too young - flowers appear when it reaches maturity. The first flowering begins when the root system completely fills the pot. In adult plants, the lack of flowering is associated with low temperatures, insufficient moisture, and poor soil.

Diseases, pests and growing difficulties

The flower is rarely sick, but it can be affected by pests. It is recommended to systematically examine the flower to detect insects.

• The leaves turn yellow. The main reason is the lack of moisture in the soil and air. It is recommended to rinse the flower from time to time under a warm shower.
• The tips of the leaves dry out. Low air humidity. Use additional artificial air humidification in all possible ways. Spraying does not always solve the problem.
• Leaves turn black. Possible reasons are a lack of phosphorus, nitrogen, or a violation of the irrigation regime. Fertilizers are applied and soil moisture is monitored.

Of the pests, aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites are often found. All of them lead to the death of the plant. If insects are found, the plant is bathed under a warm shower, treated with insecticides.

It is an ideal plant for beginner growers. It successfully combines decorativeness, beautiful flowering and unpretentious care.

It is not easy to create a green world in an apartment so that plants will delight you with a healthy look, the beauty of flowers. Unlucky for those without south-facing windows, the upper balcony is shaded. A find for such flower lovers will be the spathiphyllum shown in the photo, and caring for it at home is simple. A flower that does not require special conditions will become a resident of a window facing north, or it will perfectly settle in the shade of other plants.

Features of a female flower

The name of the flower spathiphyllum comes from two Greek words, and is translated as a flower and a veil, is a description of a flower consisting of many inflorescences, collected in "corn" and framing a white sail.

The plant belongs to the aroid family. This flower has large, hard leaves emerging from the ground. The plant comes from the tropics of Colombia, but is found in many tropical regions. In culture, breeders have created many hybrids that differ in size, color of leaves and flowers. The bedspread can be white, cream, green. The ear comes in all shades up to red.

Most often, there are two types of spathiphyllums, from which selection is carried out:

• spathiphyllum abundantly flowering;
• Wallis spathiphyllum.

The house plant, the inhabitant of the windowsill, can be the compact Wallis flower. It has smaller leaves, and its height does not exceed 40 cm, which is very convenient in an indoor flower garden. Spacious rooms will be decorated with a profusely flowering bush. The care for them is the same, but the peduncles are different, 12 cm for Wallis and twice as long for his big brother.

Spathiphyllum purifies the air in the home by absorbing phenolic emissions from furniture. It collects benzene compounds and saturates the air with ozone. The increased ozone content creates the atmosphere of the mountains. The presence of 4-5 plants increases the content of oxygen ions tenfold.

How to care for spathiphyllum at home?

Have you bought a plant from a flower shop, brought it home and are waiting for it to show off? No, the soil is nourished enough to last for the sale. And until spathiphyllum has not adapted to the new conditions, it is better to transplant it immediately so as not to create double stress.

We will begin to reveal the secrets of the success of home care for spathiphyllum by preparing the soil and transplanting or rooting a new plant:

1. The nutrient mixture is made up of equal parts of leaf humus, peat, dung and sand. Add chips from ceramic pots or tiles and chopped birch charcoal to the substrate.
2. The container should be 2-3 cm larger than the previous one in diameter. It should be noted that the plant needs to be transplanted annually, and each time the capacity increases. The drainage hole is covered with a convex shard; expanded clay balls or pebbles are poured on top.
3. Spathiphyllum is propagated by disassembling a nest from leafy thickets into separate fragments during transplantation after soaking a clod of earth. When planting, you should not deepen the neck, there will be no flowering. Do not take a spacious pot, the roots should be cramped. Compact the earth and water it well.
4. It is not scary if the leaves of a new plant dry out a little at the edges, the plant needs to adapt.

Choosing a place for a new resident is easy. Spathiphyllum usually develops well in summer and blooms in a warm room on the north window. However, in winter, when other plants have a dormant period, this flower needs a lot of light and can be exposed to the south window.You can place the flower on other windows, but remember that direct sunlight will not only burn the leaves, but also create conditions for the disease of the root system.

An indispensable condition for the decorativeness of a flower is its need for bathing. No wonder the second name of the spathiphyllum is the female flower. He loves a shower, if not, irrigation of the leaves with a spray bottle will do. Likes to bask in the shade, in the warmth, but not in the sultry air.

A female flower in magic is considered sacred and is assigned to assist in getting pregnant, bearing and giving birth to a healthy baby.

The plant loves watering, but the roots can rot from overflow. Therefore, experienced flower growers are waiting for the flower itself to ask for a drink, drooping and drooping leaves. This temporary drought will not harm the plant. However, in winter, watering is reduced, and the plant is not satisfied with the shower, only spraying, and even then infrequently.

How to care for a female spathiphyllum flower so that it delights with its flowering? You need to feed the flower regularly during the growth of the green mass and flowering. To do this, use liquid fertilizers, dilute in the recommended dose, watered only on a damp earth coma. In winter, the plant is not fertilized.

Plants absolutely cannot stand the stream of fresh air with the ominous name draft. Therefore, they put them away from the vents, balcony door. For prolonged flowering, it is necessary to cut out the old arrows at the very base in order to enable the next peduncle to be released. The duration of flowering depends on a simple but obligatory care.

The secret to the success of home care for spathiphyllum is to provide the plant with the necessary conditions and prevent diseases and pests.

Of the pests, the spider mite is dangerous, which is found with difficulty on the leaves, by the presence of a cobweb on the back and a pale plate with light dots from punctures. Another common pest is the shield aphid, determined by the presence of dark spots on the leaves. You can use both folk remedies and special preparations for the fight.

Drying leaves will become a sign of overflow, lack or excess of fertilizing, and other improper conditions of keeping. The reasons need to be found by the method of elimination. As a last resort, disassemble the flower and transplant the most healthy shoot according to all the rules, but only first hold it in soft water so that roots appear.

You can not take an indoor flower out into the fresh air in the summer. The plant will not be happy with climate change and can get sick.

How to care for spathiphyllum - video

It is not always possible to admire some special flowers at home. Either the windows face the north side, then the loggia from above shades the light. In such cases, unpretentious plants should be settled in the apartment. Such indoor crops include spathiphyllum, "female happiness" - as it is often called. Due to its interesting appearance and elegance, spathiphyllum is increasingly chosen for decorating home interiors.

About the plant

Translated from Greek, the name of the flower comes from 2 words and means a flower with a veil. Indeed, the plant has an unusual shape, presented in the form of an inflorescence - an ear framed by a blanket of white, green or cream tones.

The ear itself has a varied color, up to a red hue. It is a stemless plant with a short rhizome and tough leaves emanating from the ground. Typical for tropical areas. It belongs to the order of aroid plants, once brought from tropical Colombia.

According to legend, a house with spathiphyllum is not threatened by female loneliness and, in general, the signs associated with this flower are mostly positive. It is believed that the flower has magical properties:

• unmarried girls meet their betrothed;
• peace and harmony reign between spouses;
• in families where there were no children, a priceless gift appears - a child.

Outwardly, spathiphyllum is an ordinary flower. It becomes extraordinary thanks to caring, loving hands that are able to work miracles, prompting the plant to bloom. Flowers are formed as the fulfillment of a secret desire.

Where to put "female happiness"?

The plant does not like bright sunlight that burns its leaves. For a flower, partial shade of the northern side of the apartment or artificial diffused light is better. Insufficient light can lead to elongation and darkening of the flower. Excess - to the fading of the foliage.

How to care for a plant at home?

During the period of development and flowering, the plant needs good watering, however, the horse system does not tolerate excess moisture. It is necessary to observe moderation in watering. It is advisable to carry it out when the topsoil dries up. In winter, watering is reduced, preventing the soil from completely drying out. The flower loves high humidity. In summer, spathiphyllum should be often sprayed, and in winter it is better to put a pot with a plant on a pallet with expanded clay or wet pebbles. October - January the flower is at rest.

Plant feeding is carried out weekly during the autumn - spring period, in winter after 3 weeks. Use a universal fertilizer or for flowering plants. The plant is fed after watering according to the instructions on the fertilizer package. If the plant is poorly fed or not done at all, the spathiphyllum will not bloom or will slow down the flowering process.

What kind of soil does spathiphyllum need?

In nature, the flower grows in soil consisting of rotten branches, compost, fallen leaves, charcoal. At home, a similar substrate can be made from peat, garden soil, perlite, orchid soil, which includes charcoal, gravel, bark, in the proportion: 3: 2: 2: 3.

You can use the land of a different composition. The main thing is that it must be fertile and loose. If the soil is heavy, water stagnation is possible in the roots, which will lead to rotting of the root system. Against rot, drainage is also provided in a pot with a plant.

Flower transplant

Plants under 5 years of age are transplanted annually, then transplant is carried out only when the root system is visible from the outside of the drainage holes. The flower is placed in a pot, small in volume and depth. This is due to the fact that in a large container, the earth will begin to sour, without waiting for the root system of the plant to grow in it. The transplant capacity needs to be selected a little more than the previous one.

With a flower height of up to 40 cm and a pot diameter of about 20 cm, the transplant can be omitted, and sometimes only the top layer of soil in the pot can be refreshed. Before transplanting, spathiphyllum is watered. If you need to get a beautiful plant with large leaves, then the side shoots are removed, since a lot of the flower itself is spent on them. A drainage layer of about 2 cm is poured into the prepared container, then a few centimeters of fresh soil is added.

Spathiphyllum is planted along with a clod of earth on the roots, filling all the available voids in the container around it. If planting is done in wet soil, then there is no need to water the plant heavily after that. For better adaptation, the plant is not watered for 3 to 4 days, only sprayed.

Reproduction of spathiphyllum

The flower is propagated by dividing the bush in the spring. To do this, from the main plant, carefully, so as not to damage, the lateral shoots are separated from the roots. They are planted in separate containers with earth. Flower propagation by seeds is quite difficult.

There is no guarantee that the desired variety will grow as a result. The germination of the seeds obtained is poor, moreover, it quickly disappears. They are sown in a mixture of sand and peat immediately after collection. Crops are covered with foil. The soil under crops should not be soggy, but slightly damp.

From the above, you can see that spathiphyllum belongs to unassuming plants. A piece of human soul and warmth will help him show himself in all its glory and please others with his uniqueness. "Women's happiness" must definitely settle in the house!

Spathiphyllum in the photo

Spathiphyllum - a beautiful indoor flower that is grown by many growers. It gained its popularity due to its unpretentiousness and easy care. The plant is ideal for offices and shaded rooms. In addition, it cleans the indoor air.

Many people believe that this tropical flower is endowed with magical powers. Among the people, it has another name - "female happiness". Legend has it that he helps single girls to attract a good husband to the house, married ones - to find harmony in family relationships, to women who dream of children, he will give the joy of motherhood. In order for a plant to delight with its flowering and give happiness, it must be properly looked after.

Spathiphyllum care at home

Lighting

The lower tier of tropical forests is the natural habitat for the growth of spathiphyllum. It is a shade-tolerant plant. He has no special requirements for lighting. He prefers bright, diffused light. The northern windows are more suitable for him, they will protect him from the burning rays of the sun. In addition, there he will receive the optimal amount of light. In insufficient light, the houseplant will not bloom, the leaves will stretch out and become smaller. Do not forget to keep spathiphyllum away from drafts.

Temperature

The tropical flower adapts perfectly to room temperature. Both in winter and in summer, it is kept at a temperature 15-32 ºC... A cold sill can be dangerous for him. To prevent the plant from freezing in winter, a foam circle is placed under the pot with the plant. At low indoor temperatures, spathiphyllum will have problems with flowering.

Humidity

It is very important to keep the flower at constant moisture. It does not tolerate dry air. In order for the plant to feel comfortable, it must be constantly sprayed. Spraying is reduced only in winter. In the spring and summer, spathiphyllum is sprayed twice a day. If it is in the office, it is better to put it in a pallet with damp pebbles or expanded clay to maintain moisture. Particularly attentive to the plant should be treated during a hot summer.

Watering

Spathiphyllum is a moisture-loving plant. The soil in the pot must be constantly moist. It can only be watered with water at room temperature. The water should be soft, settled or rainwater. Water should not remain in the pan; it must be poured out.

Top dressing

In order for the spathiphyllum to bloom regularly, they are regularly fed with mineral fertilizers for flowering plants. During flowering, fertilizers are applied twice a month. During the dormant period, the plant must be fed once a month. Spathiphyllum will also benefit from organic fertilizers.

Transfer

Spathiphyllum should be transplanted after purchase. After 2-3 weeks, the flower is transferred or transplanted into a larger pot. He loves moisture very much, so he must be watered after appearing in the house, if the top layer of the earth has dried up.

Spathiphyllum gets great pleasure from the transplant. Young specimens are transplanted every year. Plants that have reached the age of five need replanting when the roots have filled the drainage holes. Each time, a slightly larger pot is selected for the flower. It is very important to follow the transplant technique. Loose, fertile soil is suitable for the plant. The optimal composition of the soil substrate for a plant includes leaf and sod land, peat, sand. The main requirement for the earthen composition is that it should not be heavy. Otherwise, the water will stagnate in the roots. Do not forget about good drainage in the pot so that the roots do not rot.To prevent the soil from drying out, you can add sphagnum moss to it.

Reproduction

There are several ways of reproduction of spathiphyllum - vegetative and seed. The most common method is dividing the bush when transplanting in the spring. A new flower can also be obtained by germinating seeds. However, they have a low germination rate. This method is time consuming and difficult. If done correctly, young spathiphyllum will bloom in 7-8 months.

Spathiphyllum maintenance problems

Spathiphyllum does not bloom

There are several reasons for this. Flowering problems are usually associated with low temperatures and insufficient humidity. Spathiphyllum will not bloom if it is not fed with mineral and organic fertilizers. In addition, old spathiphyllums rarely bloom.

Leaves turn black

Blackness on the leaves indicates the death of the root system. Most often, this problem is associated with improper watering. Leaves can turn black both when underfilling and when overflowing. Black leaves can also appear with a lack of phosphorus and nitrogen. Remember not to spray the plant in a cold room. To save the flower's life, it should be removed from the pot and new roots removed, and then transplanted into a container with a new earthen substrate.

Leaves turned yellow

Dried and yellowed leaf tips indicate underfilling. To fix this problem, the plant needs to have a weekly bath. This procedure will help to cope not only with yellowness on the leaves, but also protect the flower from pests. If you haven't watered the plant for a long time, you can save it. But you should not immediately pour water on the flower. After soaking dry soil, the amount of water is gradually increased. Spathiphyllum can fade even with insufficient moisture. In this case, spraying and wiping the leaves will help. The plant can be placed in a pallet with damp expanded clay. Also, yellowness can appear if the flower is attacked by pests.

Pests

The main pest for spathiphyllum is spider mites and aphids. To get rid of them, the plant should be wiped with a soapy solution with nicotine sulfate. Only when treating against parasites should the earthen cover be covered with a film, the liquid should not get into the soil. If you regularly wash and wipe the leaves of the plant with a damp sponge, you can forget about pests forever.