Spathiphyllum 'Alana'

Background of Spathiphyllum 'Alana'

‘Alana’ is a Dutch peace-lily cultivar grown by Kwekerij De Groot.

Caring for Spathiphyllum 'Alana' indoors

• Light: Give it medium to bright indirect light. It tolerates partial shade, but good filtered light supports stronger growth and repeat flowering. Keep it out of harsh direct sun.
• Water: Keep the root ball evenly moist, allowing the surface to begin drying before watering again. Water thoroughly when needed and let excess drain completely.
• Humidity: Average indoor humidity is usually fine. If the leaf tips repeatedly turn brown in heated or air-conditioned rooms, move it away from the airflow and raise humidity around the plant.
• Temperature: Keep it in warm, stable indoor conditions and protect it from cold draughts, cold window glass and sudden temperature changes.
• Potting mix: Use a houseplant mix that holds some moisture but stays airy and drains well. Avoid dense compost that stays wet for long periods.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser about monthly while new leaves or flower stalks are growing, following the product label.
• Repotting: Repot when roots densely fill the container or the old mix has broken down, moving up one pot size at a time.
• Flowering: ‘Alana’ can flower repeatedly when it has enough indirect light and is making healthy new growth. Remove finished spathes; flowering naturally comes and goes.
• Grooming: Cut fully yellow leaves and spent flower stalks close to the base with clean scissors, and wipe dust from the glossy foliage when needed.

Common problems with Spathiphyllum 'Alana'

• The whole plant droops: Check the root ball before watering. If the mix is dry, water thoroughly and let the pot drain; if it is still wet, do not add more water and check drainage and root condition instead.
• Leaf tips turn brown: Repeated drying, dry heated air and mineral or fertiliser salts can all mark the tips. Water more consistently, move the plant away from drying airflow and flush the mix with low-mineral water if deposits are building up.
• Several leaves turn yellow: One old outer leaf may turn yellow naturally, but if several leaves keep turning yellow while the mix stays wet, check the drainage and roots. Compare the pattern with the yellow-leaf guide.
• Roots turn dark or soft: Cut away rotten roots with clean, disinfected tools, discard the damaged material and repot into fresh airy mix. The root-rot guide covers the recovery steps.
• New leaves or flowers become scarred or distorted: Inspect the crown, new growth and leaf undersides for thrips, mites or mealybugs. Isolate a confirmed infestation, remove visible pests and repeat a treatment labelled for the identified pest at the interval stated on the label. If the pest is uncertain, send clear photos to Foliage Factory before treating.

Spathiphyllum ‘Alana’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

What does the name Spathiphyllum mean?

Spathiphyllum arose from Greek spathē, meaning a blade or spathe, and phyllon, leaf.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Spathiphyllum in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 22.