Choose your own types and varieties of spathiphyllum based on photos and descriptions
For the first time spathiphyllum was discovered and described by the German botanist-enthusiast Gustav Wallis back in the 19th century. The plants that attracted the scientist's attention are still common in Colombia and other countries in the region. Many spathiphyllums can be seen along the swampy shores of water bodies, in the undergrowth of tropical rainforests.
The plant that came to the USA and Europe attracted the attention of flower growers. As an indoor culture, Spathiphyllum has become well known throughout the world. But breeding work on the development of new varieties and hybrids began relatively recently, only in the middle of the 60s of the last century.
- dwarf and impressive in size;
- with leaves of various shapes and colors;
- with a pleasant smell;
- able to bloom for a long time and almost constantly, has caused a serious increase in interest in culture.
Today, amateur flower growers have dozens of varieties of spathiphyllum at their disposal, photos of which allow them to tirelessly marvel at the diversity of nature.
Features and photos of the spathiphyllum flower
Spathiphyllum, like many plants living in the tropical and subtropical zone, does not shed foliage all year round, remaining green and attractive. The leaves of the plant are rather large, elongated-lanceolate, with depressed veins and a glossy surface.
Since spathiphyllum has practically no stem, or it is very shortened and spreads along the ground, the leaves rise directly from the ground. And during the flowering period, graceful peduncles with white bracts surrounding a white or yellowish cob rise above the plants. Contrary to popular belief, the photo is not a spathiphyllum flower, but its inflorescence. But small flowers collected on the cob have no petals or visual appeal.
Therefore, in the course of evolution, the plant acquired a white, and then a greenish bracts. It is like a flag, attracting the attention of insects. To date, botanists know more than four dozen species of spathiphyllum. Only a few varieties are used as indoor crops and for landscaping. Plants belonging to the species Spathiphyllum Floribundum and Wallisii become the most common inhabitants of window sills.
Spathiphyllum abundantly flowering
The light green leaves of Spathiphyllum Floribundum are quite dense, with a well-visible central vein and a thin petiole up to 10 cm long.
The leaf itself reaches a length of 20 cm, and the young foliage is brighter and lighter than the mature one. Peduncles can rise 15–20 cm above the leaves. The perianth is white, medium-sized compared to other species, only 4–8 cm long and no more than 3 cm wide. A distinctive feature of the species is its long-term year-round flowering.
Spathiphyllum is pleasant
If we compare Spathiphyllum pleasant or Spathiphyllum Blandum with the previous representative of the genus, the difference in the shape and structure of the leaves is immediately noticeable. This large spathiphyllum, which grows in the wild in Suriname, has oblong elliptical leaves with clearly visible depressed veins. The length of one leaf reaches 30 cm. The petiole is of the same size and is attached to the underground creeping stem of the plant.
Greenish, up to 20 cm long bracts and cob inflorescences are located at the top of a short peduncle. Flowers appear regularly, and with proper care, the plant blooms constantly.
Spathiphyllum cannoli
Spathiphyllum Cannifolium has the densest and narrowest of all related species, with leaves up to 40 cm long.
The front side of the bracts is white, and the "wrong side" has a pronounced green tint. This large, attractive plant measures 10–22 cm in length. This is twice the size of a white or yellowish cob. The peculiarities of the species are that the inflorescences have a pronounced aroma, and the ear itself is not tuberous, but smooth. In nature, plants of this species can be found in the tropical forests of South America, as well as in Trinidad.
Spaliphyllum spoon-shaped
Another interesting species of spathiphyllum has been discovered in Brazil. This is Spathiphyllum Cochlearispathum - a plant that grows up to one meter in height and stands out with thin shiny elliptical leaves. With a width of 12–15 cm, the length of one rich green leaf reaches 30–40 cm. The petioles are also very long and can grow up to 70 cm.
The species got its name thanks to the white blanket that retains its concave shape, which becomes a dense green as the ear ripens.
Wallis Spathiphyllum
This type of spathiphyllum, named after its discoverer and devotee of culture G. Wallis, is the most unpretentious and therefore the most common today. The wild Wallis spathiphyllum or Spathiphyllum Wallisii became the basis for the selection work actively carried out in the world and presented to amateurs indoor plants a lot of the most interesting and popular varieties.
Plants of the species are small. Most of them reach a height of only 30–40 cm, which is an indisputable advantage at home. Unlike the species already described, the Colombian native produces elongated, pointed leaves up to 24 cm in length. The petioles are flexible, long, bend over time, and the leaves bend on them.
The inflorescences of this species do not exceed 3-5 cm in length, and the white or greenish covers covering them become completely green as the ear develops. The spathiphyllum flower ear that opens is almost white or creamy, and then also turns green. This species is characterized by seasonal flowering - from spring to autumn.
Over the years, the work of breeders has borne good fruit, and at present, flower growers are well familiar not only with the species found in the wild, but also with spectacular varieties and hybrids of spathiphyllum.
A number of varieties, including hybrid plants, can be found today in flower shops. The large spathiphyllum Mauna Loa is known all over the world, named after the volcano in Hawaii. The Sensation variety is also very decorative, and photos of Domino's spathiphyllum invariably attract attention, thanks to the unusual variegated foliage of the plant.
Spathiphyllum Mauna Loa
A beautiful plant with a wide white elliptical bracts, gracefully concave and covering a cream-colored ear. Bright green pointed leaves are held on petioles of 10 cm long petioles and grow from a shortened, sometimes underground stem. Not long, up to 5 cm, the ears are located on high 25-cm peduncles.
The homeland of this spectacular plant is Colombia, from where the first samples of Wallis's spathiphyllum were taken out in due time. The flowering of Mauna Loa is long-lasting or almost constant, the inflorescences can be cut off, in this form they remain fresh for up to a month.
Spathiphyllum Chopin
One of the most popular and useful varieties of Chopin's spathiphyllum, Spathiphyllum Chopin, is a versatile, unpretentious plant for decorating residential interiors and landscaping offices and public buildings. The plant does an excellent job of absorbing harmful substances in the air. At the same time, the bush is very small and barely reaches a height of 35–40 cm.
This variety of spathiphyllum has rich green shiny leaves with depressed veins and pointed ends. The perianth is elongated, white, with a green tip and veins.
In addition, a delicate aroma spreads from the plant in the morning, which undoubtedly adds to the culture of attractiveness in the eyes of flower growers.
Photo of spathiphyllum Domino
Only one photo of Domino's spathiphyllum necessarily arouses enthusiastic responses and interest of indoor plant lovers. Spathiphyllum Domino is a rare plant with bright variegated foliage with numerous white streaks and spots.
At the same time, the plant is very compact and does not exceed 35 cm in height. Like all similar varieties, the variegated variety feels great on sufficiently lighted windows. In direct light, it can lose its attractiveness and begin to wither. Therefore, Domino needs a shading screen, good watering and no drafts. In the morning, the plant pampers the owner with a scent that decreases in intensity at midday.
Spathiphyllum Picasso
Dutch breeders on the basis of Wallis' spathiphyllum have obtained an even more interesting variegated variety than Domino. His white color occupies entire sectors of the leaf plate. Spathiphyllum Picasso is a godsend for flower growers who do not have the opportunity to painstakingly care for plants and who love unusual cultures.
The plant, like all spathiphyllums, is unpretentious and demanding only on lighting, which should be bright, but not scalding. A feature of this variety is the variegated color of not only foliage, but also graceful, with a pointed tip of the perianth.
Spathiphyllum Cupido
The Dutch kennel Cupido specializes in domestic varieties of spathiphyllum. Eri this plants have become well known in the world. Wallis' compact spathiphyllums, grown by specialists from the Netherlands, have earned the name Cupido spathiphyllum.
Plants with bright green leaves and gracefully curved inflorescence bedspreads will decorate any interior. In leaving, they will show themselves as non-capricious and docile pets.
Spathiphyllum Alana
The height of Alan's spathiphyllum is about 50 cm. The newly growing leaves practically do not bend, like in other plants of the Wallis species, but remain almost vertical.
Leaves are glossy, dense, saturated green. The bract is wide, effectively pointed, with a noticeable green vein on the back.
Spathiphyllum Sensation
This hybrid of spathiphyllum can be safely attributed to the most decorative and spectacular. Spathiphyllum bushes Sensation can reach a height of one and a half meters. This makes it one of the largest indoor varieties in existence.
The plant has large attractive leaves with a dark, glossy color and a length of 40 to 80 cm. Large inflorescences of Spathiphyllum Sensation also greatly benefit in comparison with other similar varieties. Only appearing above the foliage, the perianths are white in color. Then they gradually turn green and merge against the general background. The ear is large, smoother than that of other plants. At the same time, the spathiphyllum flower, as in the photo, persists for a very long time.
Among other tall varieties of spathiphyllum, it should be noted Svit Silvio of hybrid origin with graceful inflorescences and lush bushes up to 75 cm high. Against the background of this large variety, Strauss Spathiphyllum plants of 30 cm in height look especially miniature.
Spathiphyllum red
Sometimes you can hear that nurseries offer spathiphyllums with red or pink bracts. However, before succumbing to a tempting offer and rushing to acquire a rare flower, it is worth understanding the classification.
The white blanket can only be colored under the influence of chemicals artificially introduced from the peduncle. Under natural conditions, the bracts can only turn green.
And yet, there are plants that are closely related to spathiphyllum and have a colored perianth. These are anthuriums well known to flower growers.Thanks to breeders, depending on the variety, they are able to please the owner with scarlet, burgundy, pink and almost white bedspreads of inflorescences.
Spathiphyllum and anthurium have a lot of common morphological features. Therefore, in the West, a common name is used for plants - peace lily.
By the way, if spathiphyllum is considered a talisman female happinessthen anthurium - the embodiment of male well-being and strength. Although red spathiphyllum has not yet been obtained, these plants can make a good pair and complement each other on the windowsill.