Sensation Peace Lily

Sensation Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum 'Sensation') is the largest peace lily grown, and the one to choose when a room needs a plant with presence rather than another pot on a shelf. It reaches about 1.5m tall and 1.2m across, with broad, deeply ribbed leaves that arch out to fill a corner, in light most indoor plants would sulk in.

Why you'll love it

• It fills a corner properly. At 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide it does the job a floor standing plant is meant to do, without a stake or a frame.
• It handles low light. A south facing room, an office away from a window or a shaded lounge all work, though flowering is lighter the darker it gets.
• The leaves are the point. Broad, glossy, heavily ribbed foliage up to 60cm long, with white flower spathes rising above it through the warmer months.
• It tells you when it is thirsty. The leaves droop visibly before any damage is done, then recover within hours of a water. That makes it forgiving for a first indoor plant.

Where it works best

Indoors, anywhere in the country. This is an indoor plant first. Inside, your climate stops mattering, which counts for a plant this frost tender.

Pots and containers. A decorative pot 400mm or wider with a drainage hole stops a plant this size going top heavy. Keep it out of a sealed cachepot that holds standing water.

Sheltered outdoor rooms. In tropical and subtropical gardens it works in deep shade on a covered patio, where the humidity suits it.

Growing Sensation Peace Lily in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light gives the best growth and the most flowers. Low light is tolerated but slows it down. Keep it out of direct sun through glass, which scorches the broad leaves. Outdoor use is limited to tropical and subtropical gardens in deep shade.

Soil. A quality indoor potting mix that holds moisture without staying sodden, in a pot with a drainage hole. Repot every two to three years in spring, dividing the clump if you want more plants.

Water and feed. Water when the top few centimetres of mix feel dry, soaking it thoroughly and tipping out the saucer. Roughly weekly in summer and every ten to fourteen days in winter. Feed a half strength liquid fertiliser monthly in spring and summer.

Pruning. Cut spent flower stems and yellowed leaves right back at the base rather than trimming partway. Wipe the leaves every month or two, because dust on a leaf this broad blocks light.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in six sizes: 140mm in packs of ten, 180mm and 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, then 300mm and 400mm as single plants. The smaller packs are young plants well short of full size, and this is a slow grower. The 300mm and 400mm pots already read as a floor plant.

Broad soft leaves are the one weak point in transit, so expect creasing and a droop on arrival. Water it, put it somewhere bright and indirect, and give it a fortnight. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• Compare plants for low light rooms
• See more indoor plants that flower

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Peace lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting if a pet chews the leaves. It is rarely serious, but keep this plant out of reach if your pet chews foliage.

Why are the leaf tips going brown?

Usually the water rather than the plant. Peace lilies are sensitive to chlorine, fluoride and salt build up, so let tap water stand overnight and flush the pot every few months.

Why has mine stopped flowering?

Not enough light is the most common reason. Move it closer to a window with bright indirect light and feed through spring and summer. Sensation is also slower to flower than the smaller varieties.