Pest unfortunately is a part of growing plants… everyone handles the problem differently. I prefer to use a basic safe, natural solutions to handle the pest problem! However, homeowners have few safe choices that work…

Neem Oil a Safe, Natural Option!

Neem oil comes from the pressed seed of the Azadiracta indica Juss tree… let’s call it the neem tree for short. It’s used as an: antispectic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antifungal and been used for medicinal purposes and pest control for thousands of years.

Is It Safe?

Neem products are consumed by humans and used in medication. If fact, there are no EPA restrictions in place for neem oil.

Growers using neem oil in their “pest control” program like the safety and the control this natural solution provides. Nurseries are finding neem oil is effective as a insecticide, miticide and fungicide. Schultz now has 3-1 Garden Safe product made from the oil… I picked up a bottle at Home Depot. Insects prefer to die… than feed on plants treated with neem.

It has shown success in fighting plant fungus and also root rot. When I spray plant I completely spray the plant and potting media.

Neem looks like a SAFE, NATURAL solution for homeowners with any type of houseplant pest problems. Give it a try!

The term "Sick Building Syndrome" is defined as an "acute incidence of indoor air pollution that can occur in closed or poorly ventilated offices and residences". Many energy efficient homes meet that definition.

Numerous studies conducted by the EPA and other orgainizations have found measurable levels in modern homes over 107 known cancer causing agents. The switch to energy efficient living and working environments and no longer opening the windows keeps us in contact with these VOC’s (volitile organic compounds).

The methods and products used in modern homes and offices today contain amounts of known cancer causing chemicals. In extreme cases, buildings get labeled as "Sick Buildings" when they hold these high levels of contaminants. Exposure can result in a many symptoms of sickness exhibited by the people who frequently use them. 

The effects of contact to these cancer causing VOC’s in low doses over a long time period is unknown. Will this exposure result in increased incidences of cancer?

NASA research suggest indoor house and office plants may reduce substantially the amount of exposure to common VOC’s you experience in your daily routine. The NASA research and a growing amount of supporting research point toward the benefits of live plants to help improve indoor air quality in modern home and office buildings.

The chemical Trichloroethylene or (TCE) for example is used in paints, printing inks, adhesives, lacquers and varnishes. The National Cancer Institute reported in 1975, an unusually high incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas in mice given TCE by gastric intubation. The chemical TCE is now considered a potent liver carcinogen.

Look around your home or office; new desk, carpets and other items can help in making you "sick". Plants may prove to be one of the answers to assist you in feeling better.

The peace lily comes is roughly 3 sizes – small, medium & large. Each have their own unique place as an indoor house plant. Spathiphyllum ‘Annette’ ^TM is one peace lily selection that meets the “small” criteria.

“Annette”™ could be described as a “petite type” with dark green and exceptionally shiny foliage. It is right at home in a small 4 to 6 inch pot making it a excellent choice for small areas. Keep it away from high light!

The Peace lily is a indoor house plant with ‘Mojo’ – but what is Mojo? According to the American Hertiage dictionary “mojo” is something with – A magic charm or spell. When it comes to house plants the Peace lilly or Spathiphyllum when in full bloom carries much as much charm as any indoor plant.

This variety of peace lily called ‘Mojo’ comes from AgriStart. Complete with rich dark green leaves looking like satin.You can see the flowers stand straight up with blooms balanced about the foliage.

One plus is that ‘Mojo’ is a real eye-catcher in small 6 & 8″ pots making a great addition to any home or apartment.

The popular “Peace Lily” is know for a variety of things:

• Lots of White Flowers
• Removing Toxins Indoors
• Dark Green Leaves
• Plants to fit a wide range of sizes
• Popular around the World
• Easy Care

White or cream colored stems has never been one of the items on the list – until Now!

Spathiphyllum “White Lightning” is one peace lily from Agri-Starts that features all of the above qualities but also shows off the “white leg” stems.

The Peace Lily is only one of the many varieties of house plants to choose for use indoors to liven up a room. One disturbing area is… you may never see some of these houseplants. Simply because the local nursery or garden center doesn’t want to try something new or they just may not know about it.

Here’s another Spathiphyllum to consider. I know I can hear you already…. Another Spathiphyllum… isn’t a spath, is a spath, is a spath. To some extent you’re correct.

Peace Lily care and pest control is basically the same and they all fall into the plant category of top air cleaning houseplants. Plus, all of them have green leaves except for the occasional variegation and white flowers.

As new plants are introduced they are being bred more specifically for certain characteristics or market needs. Spathiphyllum ‘Figaro’ fills the need for a flowering, dark green, large leaf variety in 10-14 inch pots currently not available today, on top of all that it’s durable.

It’s a Dutch Hybrid developed by K.P. Holland. Since Figaro’s release in Europe during 1998, it has carved out a significant niche in the “Florist quality” Spathiphyllum Market.

Grown primarily in 8 and 10 inch pots for use by Interiorscapers and for Flower Shop sales across Europe. This award-winning selection received the award for the BEST FLOWERING PLANT at the Dutch Horti-Fair in 1999.

This peace lily has made the trip across the Atlantic and can be found in select or more upscale garden centers.

As you can see from the picture this peace lily – Spathiphyllum ‘Allison’ shows off a pot full of well shaped dark green leaves and highlights the white sail blooms. More and more Peace Lillies are being developed for use as table top plants.

I’ve often found that large plants take up way to much room. By combining a nice decorative pot or container it’s easy to multiply the “show off” potential. Pest do show up on Spathiphyllum but control is easy, plus they double as a natural air cleaner…

One of the biggest reasons the peace lily is so popular and widely used is because they can be used in lower light levels. Fluorescent lights can provide enough light and intensity to produce beautiful houseplants as direct morning sun can.

Use caution when pacing the Spathiphyllum where it will receive direct western expoure. Hot, afternoon sun does have a tendency burn those lush green leaves, and not burn turn theme to a lighter green with a yellowish cast. Filtered afternoon sun is fine.

The popular Spathiphyllum or as most people know it the “peace lily” is used and thought of primarily as a indoor houseplant. But the Spathiphyllum can also make a great ground cover in tropical landscape designs.

Don’t expect the peace lily to bloom as profusely in the landscape but the snow-white spadix add a nice pop to the deep green background of foliage and add some interest to the groundcover planting. If you plan on using Spaths as a ground cover the plants will need somewhat shady conditions planted in a rich soil that holds some moisture… but does not stay wet!

The best selection would be the dwarf varieties which reach a height of about 2 feet and a spread of 12 – 18 inches. The larger spathiphyllum varieties could also be used in the landscape as stand alone specimens.

Controlling pests in the landscape can be a problem, if possible I always opt for a natural pest solution.

The Peace lily one of the most popular air cleaning houseplants grown today and is a member of the Araceae family. The family includes many other great indoor plants and toxic removing plants such as Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen), Anthurium (Flamingo flower), Caladium (use outdoors), Dieffenbachia (dumb cane), Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant), Golden Pothos and Philodendron.

During the early 70’s only two varieties or hybrids of the Peace lilly was grown, Spathiphyllum ‘Clevelandii’ and the hybrid Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’. However, since the 1970’s the selection, production, and popularity of Spathiphyllum has exploded. Spathiphyllum is relatively easy to grow in the nursery in a can be grown in a wide range of pot sizes and plant size.

Most produce showy white flowers sitting above its dark green foliage. In fact, the Peace lily has actually moved from being used and known as a foliage plant which had some flowers to a plant now known and grown for flowers. Although Spathiphyllum is grown in pot sizes from 3” -17” inches, the 6”-10” are the most popular for growers and homeowners. Spathiphyllum is grown not only the the United States but around the world.

Showy White Flowers!

Through in-house breeding programs and tissue culture laboratories new varieties are being introduced regularly. Tissue culture allows new varieties to come to market quicker in larger quantities. New cultivars may serve niche markets and/or be produced for specific growing area or better pest resistance.

Whatever the reason there seems to be and endless supply of new “peace lilies” which are hardier, hold more flowers and “besting” older varieties. The simple fact remains that the Spathiphyllum is a great indoor plant, cleans the air indoors and holds up very well indoors while providing tropical beauty for a long period time.