Spathiphyllum 'Diamond'

Botanical History and Background

Spathiphyllum ‘Diamond’ is a cultivated variegated peace lily developed within modern Spathiphyllum breeding.

The wider genus Spathiphyllum comes from tropical America, where its species grow on humid forest floors, beside streams and in other sheltered habitats. Modern peace-lily breeding carries this wild ancestry into cultivation.

Care for clumping aroid roots and foliage

Feeding and propagation: Feed lightly to moderately during sustained growth. If a vigorous shoot remains entirely green and begins dominating the clump, it can be separated or removed while retaining balanced variegated crowns.

Light: Place Spathiphyllum ‘Diamond’ in brighter filtered light than a solid-green peace lily so its white-and-green foliage receives enough light for steady growth. For time to settle after delivery, retain the supplied pot and mix, keep conditions steady and postpone division or reversion pruning.

Roots and substrate: Keep an airy, moisture-retentive aroid mix evenly moist, allowing only the upper layer to begin drying before watering thoroughly. Empty all drainage water and inspect the deeper mix before responding to a drooping leaf.

Diagnosing Problems and Pests

White areas contain less chlorophyll and may brown before the green tissue, especially after a dry spell or abrupt sun. A wholly white shoot can also weaken because it cannot support itself well. Keep mixed green-and-white growth, protect pale sections from direct scorch and do not interpret every cream edge as disease.

When the whole plant wilts, check the root ball before watering again. If the mix has dried around pale firm roots, soak the pot completely and let it drain. Soft dark roots in a wet pot must be cut away before the remaining roots are given more air.

Repeated watering of a saturated wilted plant accelerates root loss. Brown tips can also reflect salts, hard water, uneven drying or damaged roots, so flush only when the pot drains properly.

Separate the plant, keep the leaves dry and disinfect tools if soaked-looking spots with yellow halos continue to enlarge. Thrips or mites often damage emerging rolls, leaving silver scars, black specks or fine pale speckling. Inspect directly before treatment and keep unaffected leaves, since healthy green tissue remains important to this variegated cultivar.

Spathiphyllum ‘Diamond’ 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.