Is the Peace Lily Toxic? Know the Facts Before You Grow One
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a perennial evergreen herbaceous foliage plant of the Araceae family, genus Spathiphyllum, native to Colombia, growing in tropical rainforests, and highly valued for its ornamental qualities. Whether the peace lily is toxic is a question that troubles many people, so let's take a look together at whether the peace lily is toxic!
Is the peace lily toxic?
The peace lily is toxic. The surface of the peace lily is non-toxic; the toxin exists only in its sap. After skin contact, there is a burning sensation and redness and swelling, though it will gradually heal. In everyday care, as long as you do not come into contact with its sap, there is no problem. If ingested by mistake, the mouth will feel burning and painful, then swell and blister, the voice will become hoarse and strained, and swallowing will be difficult. Most symptoms will lessen over time until they disappear. If you want to relieve the pain, you can choose cool liquids, pain relief pills, or foods such as licorice and flaxseed.
What benefits does the peace lily have
1. The peace lily can filter benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air, which is of great help to human health, especially for newly renovated homes.
2. The peace lily can suppress the waste gases exhaled by the human body, prevent the nasal mucosa from drying out, and greatly reduce the likelihood of illness. Its help to people's health can be said to be direct and also very great, which is also an important reason why many people choose to grow it.
How to grow the peace lily
1. Watering: The peace lily has a relatively high demand for water, and the potting soil must be kept moist at all times, but overwatering must also be avoided. Once watered too much, a large amount of water accumulates in the pot, which easily causes root rot and yellowing and wilting of the plant. Another point to note is that in summer and during drought, water should often be sprayed on the leaves and the ground to increase air humidity, which is beneficial to its growth.
2. Light: The peace lily is relatively shade-tolerant, so it is suitable for growing in a semi-shaded environment. Direct sunlight must be avoided. According to experiments, about 60% scattered light is enough to meet the growth needs of the peace lily, so it can be grown year-round indoors in a spot with bright scattered light. If it is placed under strong light, the leaves will turn yellow and may even be directly sunburned.
3. Temperature: The peace lily likes high temperatures and is especially afraid of cold. The most suitable growing temperature is 20-28°C. Once winter comes, it must be brought indoors. The lowest temperature it can withstand is 10°C, so attention must be paid in winter. Relatively speaking, growing conditions in the north are too poor. If the peace lily is placed at low temperatures for a long time, it will cause root rot, leaf drop or scorching and yellowing, and in severe cases even death.
4. Potting soil: Potting soil is the foundation of cultivation. During the growing period, the peace lily should be kept moist in the pot, but water accumulation in the pot should be avoided. Long-term water accumulation in the potting soil will cause root rot and yellowing and wilting of the plant. If this happens, take it out of the pot, then dry it, and put it back again.
5. Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases are a common problem for home-grown plants, and they can be avoided as long as care is proper.
Note: Because the peace lily is toxic, it is not recommended to grow peace lilies in homes with babies. If a child accidentally eats a peace lily, you can give brown sugar water boiled with ginger slices to drink orally, or hold ginger slices in the mouth. If the situation is more serious, you can go to a local hospital for treatment.