Variegated Sensation Peace Lily

Variegated Sensation Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum 'Sensation Variegated') is the biggest peace lily you can buy, reaching about 1.3m tall and 1.2m across with leaves the length of your forearm. Each one is streaked and splashed with cream, so the plant reads as a feature even when it is not in flower. It is a floor plant for a shaded corner, not a desk plant.

Why you'll love it

• Scale you cannot get from other indoor plants. At 1.3m by 1.2m one plant fills the space beside a sofa that would otherwise need three smaller pots.
• Cream variegation on every leaf. The marbling is irregular and no two leaves match, which is what separates it from the plain green Sensation.
• It tells you when it is thirsty. The leaves droop noticeably before any harm is done, then lift within hours of watering.
• White flowers through the warm months. Tall white spathes stand clear of the foliage and last for weeks indoors.

Where it works best

Indoors, anywhere in the country. Inside a home or office your climate stops mattering, which is the practical answer for a plant this frost tender. Give it a bright spot out of direct sun.

Pots and containers. A pot 400mm or wider suits a mature plant. It tolerates wet feet better than most indoor plants, but still needs a drainage hole.

Shaded balconies and courtyards. Outdoors it works in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, in full shade with shelter from wind. Cold southern gardens should keep it inside over winter.

Growing Variegated Sensation Peace Lily in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light. Direct sun scorches the pale sections of the leaves first, and deep shade costs you flowers and variegation. It is frost tender and unhappy below about 12 degrees.

Soil. A quality indoor potting mix with added perlite or coarse bark. It likes moisture retention, so avoid free draining cactus blends.

Water and feed. Water when the top 3cm of mix feels dry, roughly weekly in summer and fortnightly in winter. It is humidity tolerant and prefers it, so a bathroom or a grouped position suits it in dry inland air. Liquid fertiliser at half strength monthly through spring and summer keeps the leaves large.

Grooming and safety. Remove finished flower stems at the base and wipe the leaves so they can use the available light. Peace lilies contain calcium oxalates and are toxic to cats and dogs, so place this one where a chewing pet cannot reach it.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 140mm, 180mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm and 400mm pots, with the smaller sizes sold in packs. The 140mm and 200mm packs suit an office fitout or a run of matching pots. A single 300mm or 400mm plant is the one to buy for full size in the room straight away.

Peace lilies often arrive with drooping leaves after a few days in a box. Water once on arrival and they usually lift within a day. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The watering and light mistakes that kill indoor plants
• Browse indoor plants that flower
• Compare other variegated foliage plants
• Indoor plant tips for beginners

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. The leaves and sap contain calcium oxalates, which cause drooling, mouth irritation and vomiting if chewed. Keep it on a stand or in a room your pets do not use.

Why is the variegation fading?

Almost always too little light. Move it closer to a window, keeping it out of direct sun, and new leaves will come through with better contrast.

Why are the leaf tips browning?

Usually dry air, or salts building up in the mix. Flush the pot through with water every couple of months and keep it clear of air conditioning outlets.