Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - December 03, 2010

From: Floral Park, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Care for non-native Spathiphyllum from Floral Park, NY
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have a medium to large size friendship lily indoor plant that was once magnificent when first purchased it. I lost plenty of lush green leaves to brown spots. The health has improved( I moved location, cut back all damaged parts, and I recently re-planted in a larger pot and added new soil. The leaves are always droopy as if the water is not getting through the roots properly. Is there anything else I can do to get this plant perky again. I have a much smaller version of this plant and the leaves droop when dry and perk right up after watering. The larger plant does not respond that way. Thanks for your input

ANSWER:

Spathiphyllum, Peace Lily or Friendship Lily, is a tropical house plant, originating in Malaysia and the Phillipines. As such, it falls out of our area of expertise, which is the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the areas in which the plant is being grown. This article on Spathiphyllum can give you some valuable information on the lighting, feeding and insect pests for this plant; hopefully, you will find the answer to your question there.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Division of impatiens grown in a pot
December 08, 2007 - I have an impatient and it is growing out of the pot. I was wondering if it were possible to divide it somehow and have two medium size plants.
view the full question and answer

Secretions of fluid from crepe myrtles
June 09, 2008 - On my crepe myrtle tree I have dozens of 1/2-inch-long narrow bugs that seem to secrete tiny drops of fluid. They appear on the branches of the tree. Are these harmful to the tree? Do I need to do ...
view the full question and answer

What variations of non-native Lavender will grow in Montgomery County TX
June 18, 2011 - I live in East Montgomery County, Texas. What varieties of Lavender grow best in my area? I had some success with Providence variety and Spanish variety. I would like to grow more varieties if possi...
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native Ligustrum in Granbury TX
November 30, 2009 - Hi, I am hoping you can tell me why my Ligustrum is dropping leaves? At purchase I was told they are evergreen. We are using them for a privacy hedge and would like to prevent any more leaf drop. The...
view the full question and answer

Pruning non-native peach in Austin, TX.
June 18, 2015 - I planted two five gallon Texas Star peach trees last February but didn't have the nerve to prune them back to knee height. After having been convinced that this is a good thing to do, I'd like to k...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.