1. Plant Family Overview: Spathiphyllum
Commonly known as the peace lily, Spathiphyllum are a staple in office design due to their lush foliage and elegant white flowers.
It is also famous for being a "drama queen" when it gets thirsty, it will collapse dramatically only to revive completely within hours of watering.
This visible signal makes it easier to manage than many other plants.
Appearance: Glossy, dark green lance-shaped leaves. They produce distinctive white "flowers" (spathes) that rise above the foliage.
Common Varieties: Spathiphyllum wallisii (Standard desktop variety), Spathiphyllum 'Sensation' (Giant floor-standing variety with massive leaves).
Office Characteristics: One of the best air-purifying plants available. It is highly shade-tolerant, making it perfect for areas away from windows.
Key Sensitivities: Direct Sunlight (leaves burn black rapidly) and Cold Drafts. It is also sensitive to chemicals in tap water (fluoride/chlorine), which can cause brown leaf tips.
2. Ideal Conditions
Light: Low to Moderate indirect light.
Target: 2 to 4 metres from a window, or under fluorescent office lighting.
Tolerance: High shade tolerance. Strictly avoid direct midday sun; it will scorch the leaves black.
Temperature: Standard office climate.
Ideal: 18°C – 24°C.
Limit: Never below 16°C. Cold drafts from doors or AC vents will turn leaves black/yellow.
Humidity: High humidity preferred (50–60%).
Note: In dry offices, leaf tips will inevitably turn brown.
Water Quality: Tepid (room temperature) water. If possible, let tap water sit in an open container overnight to allow chlorine to evaporate.
Potting Mix: (soil plants) Peat-free, moisture-retentive but well-draining soil.
Feeding: Moderate feeder. Needs energy to produce flowers.
3. Weekly / Fortnightly Maintenance Checklist
Perform these tasks on a consistent day (e.g. every Wednesday).
Watering Check (Soil Plants): (The "Droop Test")
The Peace Lily tells you when it needs water.
Check: Look at the leaves.
- Upright & Perky? DO NOT WATER.
- Slightly drooping/soft? Water immediately.
- Collapsed flat? Water heavily immediately.
Quantity: When watering, do so generously until the soil is saturated.
Note: Spathiphyllum soil should remain lightly moist, not bone dry.
HydroCare Plants: Leave for 7-10 days on minimum before topping up, never go above optimum on the water level indicator.
Cleaning:
Dusting: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth or dust gloves. Dust blocks light, which stops the plant from flowering.
Pollen: The white flowers drop white powdery pollen. Wipe this off leaves (and surrounding desks) to keep the area clean.
Positioning & Environment:
Draft Check: Ensure the plant is not in a cold corridor or directly under an AC vent.
Sun Check: Verify that seasonal sun angles aren't hitting the leaves directly.
Quick Health Scan:
Scan for Spent Flowers: If a white flower has turned green or brown, it will not turn white again. It is dying naturally.
Scan for Pests: Look for white "cotton" (Mealybugs) in the crevices where stems meet.
4. Monthly / Bi-Monthly Tasks
Fertilising (Feed):
When: Spring and Summer.
What: Soil Plants; General-purpose liquid houseplant food. HydroCare Plants; Hydroponic liquid plant food.
Frequency: Once every 6 weeks. This encourages re-blooming.
Grooming:
Trim off brown crispy leaf tips using sharp scissors. Cut at an angle to mimic the natural leaf shape.
Pruning (Deadheading):
Remove old, brown/green flowers.
How: Follow the flower stem all the way down to the base of the plant (near the soil) and cut it off. Do not leave headless stalks sticking up.
5. Seasonal Adjustments
Spring / Summer (Active Growth)
Watering: High demand. These plants drink a lot when it's warm. Check twice a week if the office is hot.
Flowering: This is when you should see white blooms. If no flowers appear, the plant may need slightly more light (but not sun).
Autumn / Winter (Dormancy)
Watering: Reduce. The plant slows down. Wait for the soil to dry out slightly more than in summer.
Humidity: Central heating dries the air, causing brown tips. Misting the leaves can help or ensure the plant isn't next to a radiator.
6. What NOT to Do
Don't put a Peace Lily on a sunny windowsill. It is a shade plant.
Don't use ice-cold tap water. It shocks the roots.
Don't leave a flower to rot on the plant. Once it browns, cut it off to save the plant energy.
Don't ignore a drooping plant. If left collapsed for too long, the leaves will turn crispy and die.
Don't over-fertilise trying to force flowers. This will burn the leaf tips brown.
7. Red Flags & Early Warning Signs
Use this troubleshooting guide to catch and treat issues.
Total Collapse (Flat leaves)
Severe Thirst
Water heavily. It should perk up in 2 hours.
Brown leaf tips
Dry air or Chemical water
Mist leaves. Use filtered water if possible.
Yellowing leaves (General)
Overwatering / Root Rot
Check soil. If wet, stop watering.
Green flowers
Low light / Old age
Normal aging. Cut them off.
Black patches on leaves
Cold Draft or Sunburn
Check temperature and window position.
Plant stays wilted after water
Root Rot
Replace.