Gracious peace lily helps filter toxins

Not only does the peace lily show its beauty all year round, but it also has health benefits,...
Not only does the peace lily show its beauty all year round, but it also has health benefits, such as absorbing excess moisture from the air or filtering toxins. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
At the height of summer, Dunedin Botanic Garden is full of extravagant and showy plants with vibrant and alluring blooms to admire.However, there are members of one genus of tropical plants in the Winter Garden that show their beauty all year round; Spathiphyllum, the humble, but elegant, peace lily. Species of this genus occur in South America and parts of Asia and all form gracious plants with long green leaves and tall white bracts.

They are popular indoor plants all around the world because of their easy care, health benefits, symbolism and of course, beauty.

The peace lily’s symbolism goes beyond that as a ‘‘bringer of peace’’ with its white flower representing a white flag of truce. The peace lily is also a symbol of positive energy and peace in Fengshui, innocence and purity in Christianity, sympathy and empathy as well as longevity. Did you know that the peace lily is also one of Nasa’s top-10 recommended air-cleaning plants? It is great to have one in the home as it is able to absorb excess moisture in the air, reduce mould spores and is reported to filter toxins such as acetone and ammonia.

You can view cultivars of the peace lily in the East Wing of the Winter Garden, including Spathiphyllum commutatum a spectacular species with its giant foliage and flowers. Take some time to be amazed how tall the lance-shaped flowers stand proudly over the smaller plants below and enjoy the surroundings as you take in the beauty of this elegant plant.

 

Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden.

For further information contact Ben Xie