Spathiphyllum 'Sensation'

The breeding origin of Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’

James Georgusis bred Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ from a cross between ‘Fantastica’ and ‘Supreme’. Its parent genus consists of wet-tropical American aroids associated with shaded forest ground and watercourses.

Care for clumping aroid roots and foliage

Leaf care: Wipe dust gently from the deeply ribbed blades so the leaf surface remains clear. A mature clump can be divided into rooted crowns, although recovery is slower than for compact peace lilies.

Watering and root care: The broad crown can use water quickly in warm active growth, but a cool, shaded, oversized pot dries slowly. Use a substantial container and a structured aroid mix that holds moisture while remaining oxygenated throughout its depth.

Light: Set Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ where light is bright but indirect with room for its broad leaves to receive light and air.

Recognising Symptoms and Causes

The surface of a large ‘Sensation’ pot may feel dry while the lower roots are still wet. If the crown droops or several leaves yellow together, check the full depth of the root ball. Firm roots in evenly dry mix need a complete watering. Soft roots or crown tissue surrounded by wet mix should be removed before the surviving plant goes into a looser mix.

Very long leaning leaf stalks and smaller new leaves often mean this large cultivar needs more filtered light. Faster loss of old foliage can also follow crowding. Extra fertiliser will not correct either problem. Look across the broad leaves for pinprick fading or webbing from mites. Scale is easier to recognise by its fixed covers along the blades and leaf-stalk bases.

Set Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ apart from nearby plants when wet-looking spots enlarge or merge across a leaf. Brown tips can come from water quality, accumulated salts or damaged roots, so find the likely cause before flushing the pot. Huge leaves, relatively few flowers and the occasional loss of an old outer leaf are normal. Collapse across the whole crown is not.

Spathiphyllum 'Sensation' is not safe for people or pets to chew

• This plant is toxic to humans, cats and dogs if ingested.
• Leaves and stems contain needle-like, insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing can cause immediate burning mouth pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian after pet exposure or a medical professional after human exposure, especially if swelling or breathing trouble occurs.

Where does the name Spathiphyllum come from?

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.