Spathiphyllum 'Sweet Sebastiano'

Breeding and selection history of Spathiphyllum 'Sweet Sebastiano'

Petrus Olsthoorn bred ‘Sweet Sebastiano’ in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, from ‘00185-9’ × ‘00057-3’ and selected it in 2004.

Indoor care for Spathiphyllum 'Sweet Sebastiano'

• Water: A very large pot can stay wet deep inside even when the surface looks dry. Check moisture well below the surface and water thoroughly only when the upper part of the root ball has begun to dry, then let all excess water drain.
• Light: Position it in bright to medium indirect light with enough room around the leaves. Avoid direct sun through hot glass, which can mark the large leaves.
• Humidity: Moderate to high humidity helps the large leaves stay in good condition. Hot, dry airflow can brown the exposed tips and edges.
• Temperature: Keep this large cultivar in warm, stable indoor conditions and away from cold draughts or sudden temperature changes.
• Potting mix: Use a chunky, airy mix that holds moisture and stays loose around the roots. In a deep container, chunky material helps keep air around the roots because the lower layer dries slowly.
• Feeding: Feed monthly while new leaves are growing, following the fertiliser label for the dose.
• Repotting: Repot only when the roots genuinely fill the container or the old mix has broken down. Use a stable pot one size larger and avoid burying the base of the leaf stalks.
• Flowering: Large white spathes develop best on a well-lit plant that is making healthy new leaves. The number of flowers naturally varies over time.
• Grooming: Cut spent flower stalks and fully yellow leaves at the base with clean scissors.

Common problems with Spathiphyllum 'Sweet Sebastiano'

• The whole plant wilts: Check the mix deeper in the root ball. If it is dry, water thoroughly and let excess drain; if the lower mix is still wet, do not add more water and inspect drainage and root health.
• Several lower leaves turn yellow: Check moisture throughout the pot, not only at the top. If the root ball stays wet for days, improve drainage and use the yellow-leaf guide to compare other patterns.
• Leaf tips turn brown across many leaves: Large plants lose a lot of water through their leaves. Water more consistently, move the plant away from hot dry airflow and check for fertiliser or hard-water salt build-up.
• Roots soften and the plant becomes loose in the pot: Remove rotten tissue with clean, disinfected tools, discard it and repot into fresh airy mix in a clean container. Follow the root-rot guide if the plant has started to collapse.
• Young leaves emerge scarred: Check closely for thrips and mites. Isolate the plant if pests are confirmed and repeat a treatment labelled for the identified pest at the interval stated on the label. If you are not sure which pest is present, send clear photos to Foliage Factory before treating.

Spathiphyllum ‘Sweet Sebastiano’ 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.

Spathiphyllum: where the name comes 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.