If you’re like me, who loves having a lush backyard garden filled with vibrant, unique plants, then the Purple Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Purple’) is a must-have. This beautiful variation of the classic Peace Lily is not only eye-catching with its rich purple blooms but also quite easy to care for, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about growing and caring for Purple Peace Lilies, from planting tips to maintenance, so your garden can flourish beautifully.
What is a Purple Peace Lily?
The Purple Peace Lily is a stunning cultivar of the traditional Peace Lily, scientifically known as Spathiphyllum. Unlike the typical white flowers most are familiar with, this variety boasts striking purple flowers that add a splash of color to any garden or indoor space. Native to tropical regions of the Americas and Southeast Asia, the Peace Lily thrives in humid and shaded environments, making it an excellent choice for shaded backyard spots or indoor areas with indirect light.
What makes the Purple Peace Lily so special is its blend of aesthetic appeal and air-purifying properties. NASA’s Clean Air Study listed Peace Lilies among the top plants to improve indoor air quality by removing toxins like benzene and formaldehyde, which means you’re not only beautifying your space but also enhancing its air quality.
How to Plant Purple Peace Lily in Your Backyard Garden
Planting your Purple Peace Lily properly is the first step to a thriving plant. Choose a location in your backyard that offers bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and dull the purple flowers, so a shaded or partially shaded area is ideal. If you live in a hot climate, planting under a tree canopy or a porch roof is perfect.
The soil should be rich, well-draining, and slightly acidic with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5. You can improve your garden soil by mixing in organic compost or peat moss, which helps retain moisture without waterlogging the roots. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball of your plant to ensure enough space for growth. Gently remove the Purple Peace Lily from its nursery pot, tease out any circling roots, and place it into the hole before backfilling with soil.
Water the plant thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Adding a layer of mulch around the base helps maintain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Watering Needs: How Often and How Much?
Watering Purple Peace Lilies correctly can be a bit tricky because they like their soil to be consistently moist but not soggy. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering causes the leaves to droop and turn brown at the edges.
In my backyard, I water my Purple Peace Lily about once a week during the growing season (spring and summer), making sure the top inch of soil is dry before the next watering. During cooler months (fall and winter), the plant’s water needs decrease, so watering every 10-14 days usually suffices.
The best practice is to water deeply, allowing water to reach the root zone, and then let the soil drain thoroughly. Avoid letting your plant sit in standing water. If you’re growing your Purple Peace Lily in a pot, ensure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Light Requirements: Finding the Perfect Spot
Light plays a critical role in the health and flowering of Purple Peace Lilies. These plants prefer moderate to low indirect light. Too little light and your plant will grow slowly and produce fewer flowers; too much direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, can scorch the leaves and fade the flowers.
In my backyard, I place the Purple Peace Lily where it receives morning sun filtered through tree branches, then shaded for the rest of the day. Indoors, a north or east-facing window works best. If you notice the leaves turning yellow or the flowers are not developing, your plant may be getting too much or too little light, so adjust accordingly.
Soil and Fertilizer Tips for Vibrant Growth
To keep your Purple Peace Lily growing lush and healthy, the right soil and nutrients are crucial. As mentioned, a rich, well-draining soil mix is best. For container gardening, use a high-quality potting mix designed for tropical plants.
Fertilize your Purple Peace Lily every 6-8 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, such as a 20-20-20 NPK formula diluted to half strength. Over-fertilizing can cause leaf burn or salt buildup in the soil, so moderation is key.
I recommend stopping fertilizer application in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows. Using organic fertilizers like compost tea or fish emulsion can also promote healthy growth while being environmentally friendly.
Common Pests and How to Control Them
Although Purple Peace Lilies are relatively pest-resistant, they can occasionally attract common houseplant pests like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. These pests can cause leaf discoloration, webbing, or sticky residues.
To prevent infestations, regularly inspect your plants, especially the undersides of leaves. If you notice pests, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or rinse with a gentle stream of water. For larger infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, which are safe and effective natural options.
Good airflow around your plants also helps deter pests. Avoid overcrowding your garden and remove any dead or decaying leaves promptly to maintain plant health.
Pruning and Maintenance for Longevity
Pruning helps keep your Purple Peace Lily looking neat and encourages new blooms. Remove any yellow or brown leaves by cutting them at the base with clean, sharp scissors. Deadhead spent flowers by trimming the flower stalk near the base to redirect the plant’s energy towards new growth.
Regular cleaning of leaves by wiping with a damp cloth removes dust and helps the plant breathe better. In my backyard, I do this every few weeks to keep the leaves glossy and vibrant.
If your plant becomes root-bound (when roots circle around the pot), consider repotting every 2-3 years in a slightly larger container to provide room for growth.
Propagation: How to Multiply Your Purple Peace Lily
One of the best parts of growing Purple Peace Lilies is that they are easy to propagate. The most common method is division. During repotting, gently separate the root ball into sections, ensuring each section has healthy roots and at least one leaf cluster.
Plant each division into its own pot with fresh soil and water well. Keep them in a shaded area with moderate humidity to encourage establishment.
Propagation allows you to share these beautiful plants with friends or expand your own garden collection.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with the best care, you might encounter a few issues with your Purple Peace Lily. Yellowing leaves usually indicate overwatering or poor drainage, while brown leaf tips often signal underwatering or low humidity.
If flowers fail to bloom, check if your plant is receiving enough indirect light or if it’s time to fertilize. Leaf spots could be a sign of fungal infections, which can be treated by removing affected leaves and improving air circulation.
Regularly monitor your plant’s condition and adjust care as needed to keep your Purple Peace Lily thriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you take care of a purple Peace Lily?
To care for a purple Peace Lily, provide bright, indirect light, keep the soil moist but well-drained, and maintain moderate humidity. Fertilize every 6-8 weeks during growing season and remove dead leaves. Avoid direct sun to prevent leaf scorch and root rot from overwatering.
What is the spiritual meaning of a purple lily?
Purple lilies symbolize royalty, dignity, and spiritual wisdom. In many cultures, they represent transformation and renewal, making them a popular choice for ceremonies and meditations. The purple Peace Lily, specifically, is associated with peace, healing energy, and spiritual growth.
What is the rarest Peace Lily?
The rarest Peace Lily is considered the ‘Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum’ variety, known for its unusual, elongated leaves and smaller flowers. It is less common in cultivation compared to typical varieties like Spathiphyllum wallisii, making it prized by collectors and enthusiasts.
How to tell if Peace Lily is happy?
A happy Peace Lily has vibrant, glossy green leaves, upright growth, and frequent blooming with healthy white or purple flowers. The plant’s leaves should be firm and free from yellow or brown spots, indicating proper watering, light, and nutrient conditions.
Can peace lily survive without sunlight?
Peace Lilies can survive in low-light conditions but do not thrive without any sunlight. They need indirect light to grow and bloom well. Complete darkness or very dim spots will stunt growth and prevent flowering, so placing them near a window with filtered light is best.
Why I Love Growing Purple Peace Lilies in My Backyard
As a backyard gardener, Purple Peace Lilies bring a unique charm to my garden. Their vibrant purple flowers stand out among the greenery, creating a stunning focal point. They are low-maintenance and tolerate shady spots where many other plants struggle to thrive.
Beyond aesthetics, knowing they help clean the air and improve my outdoor space’s environment makes me appreciate them even more. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced gardener, I highly recommend adding Purple Peace Lilies to your garden for beauty, ease of care, and a touch of tropical elegance.
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References
- NASA Clean Air Study: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930073077
- University of Florida IFAS Extension on Peace Lilies: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/peace-lily.html
- Missouri Botanical Garden: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276907
- The Spruce: https://www.thespruce.com/growing-peace-lilies-1902735
