Spathiphyllum Sensation variegata

Origin of Spathiphyllum Sensation variegata

The green cultivar Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’, patented as ‘Gorgusis No. 1’, was bred from ‘Fantastica’ × ‘Supreme’. The variegated plant is a cultivated selection of that cultivar.

Keeping Spathiphyllum Sensation variegata healthy

• Light: Give it bright filtered light to support healthy growth, but keep it out of hot direct sun. White and cream areas scorch sooner than green tissue.
• Water: Keep the mix evenly moist and let the upper layer begin to dry before watering again. Check deeper into a large pot because the centre can remain wet after the surface looks dry.
• Humidity: Moderate to high humidity helps reduce dry brown damage, especially on the pale parts of the leaves.
• Temperature: Maintain warm, steady indoor conditions and keep the plant away from cold draughts, cold glass and sudden temperature changes.
• Potting mix: Use a chunky, airy houseplant mix that holds some moisture while draining freely. Avoid dense mixes that stay wet for long periods around the roots.
• Feeding: Feed lightly about monthly while the plant is growing. Follow the fertiliser label; excess fertiliser can brown the leaf tips if salts build up.
• Repotting: Repot only when the roots have filled the current pot or the old mix has broken down. Increase pot size gradually and use a stable container as the leaves become larger.
• Flowering: Healthy mature plants may produce white spathes when they have enough indirect light and are growing steadily. Quieter periods between flowers are normal.
• Grooming: Remove only dead tissue. Leave healthy white areas in place because they are part of the variegation; each future leaf develops its own pattern.

Problems and solutions for Spathiphyllum Sensation variegata

• Pale sections turn brown first: Pale areas are more sensitive to direct sun, dry air, mineral salts and drought. Address the light, humidity, salt or watering problem before trimming only the tissue that is fully dead.
• New leaves are much smaller or growth stalls: Check light and root health before adding more fertiliser. Heavily variegated plants have less green tissue, so a dim position can slow them noticeably.
• The plant droops: Check the deeper root ball before watering. If it is dry, water thoroughly and drain the pot; if it is still wet, check root health and drainage. If roots are dark or soft, cut them away with clean, disinfected tools, discard the rotten tissue, then follow the root-rot guide.
• Several leaves yellow: A single old leaf is normal, but repeated yellowing can point to wet roots, poor light or root stress. Compare the pattern with the yellow-leaf guide.
• New foliage becomes scarred or distorted: Inspect the folds and undersides for thrips, mites and mealybugs. Isolate a confirmed infestation, clean away visible pests 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 wallisii ‘Sensation’ variegata 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.

How the name Spathiphyllum wallisii came about

Spathiphyllum arose from Greek spathē, meaning a blade or spathe, and phyllon, leaf. The species name wallisii honours the German plant collector Gustav Wallis.

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

Eduard August von Regel first described Spathiphyllum wallisii in 1877 in Gartenflora, volume 26, page 323.