With our gardening limited to indoors during the next few months, let's take a look at some of the best houseplants around. Peace lilies are up first in this series, as they're so easy to care for, they have additional health benefits, as well as beautiful flowers. Here's a little bit about them:
- Appearance: Peace lilies have glossy, dark green leaves and elegant white flowers that are actually spathes, which are modified leaves that protect the actual flowers. The flowers themselves are the white cone on the "inside" of this white leaf. Peace lilies can grow up to three feet tall in height.
- Care: Peace lilies are very forgiving plants. They prefer medium to low light, so they're perfect for homes that lack a lot of natural light. They also like moist soil, but not soggy soil. Let the top inch of soil dry before watering again. Peace lilies will let you know when they're thirsty by drooping their leaves, so you can use that as a visual guide for when to water.
- Benefits: Peace lilies are not only beautiful, but they're also good for your health. They're known for their air-purifying qualities, and they can help to remove toxins from the air. They're also said to promote peace and tranquility, hence their name.
- Toxicity: Peace lilies are poisonous if ingested, so keep them out of reach of children and pets.
- Symbolism: Peace lilies are often given as gifts because they symbolize peace, purity, and good luck.
- Fun facts: Peace lilies are native to the rainforests of South America, being introduced to Europe in the 1820s.