Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Peace Lily Aging

I recently brought a Peace Lily to the office and received many positive comments from my coworkers about how its presence had improved the atmosphere. Within a couple weeks of buying it, however, the pearly-white flowers have turned almost completely green. I rather liked the striking whiteness of the lilies themselves. What can I do to restore the whiteness in the flowers? Thanks!

There is nothing one can do to restore the white color of the peace lily flower. It is natural for the flower to turn green as it ages. Once the flower turns green in color, it should be to cut off the plant. Otherwise, the flower may produce a seed pod which consumes the plants energy. Seeds may be used to start new plants from those plants which are true species, but it may be several years before they flower, so dividing the plants roots in the spring is the best means of propagating new plants.