Caring for the indoor plant "Female Happiness" at home (+30 photos)

Many flower lovers have heard of a "magic" flower called "women's happiness." However, few know that this refers to the common spathiphyllum. It is believed to possess many mystical powers, and it is believed that with its help, unmarried women can quickly find their soulmate, married women can improve their relationship with their partner, and childless women can soon receive news of a new addition to the family.

Characteristics of the variety and species diversity with photos

Spathiphyllum is a heat-loving indoor plant. It has no stem; its oval-shaped leaves grow directly from the ground. The flower also emerges directly from the soil, on a long stalk, and resembles a small bundle.

The indoor plant spathiphyllum has several varieties, shown in the photo below, each with its own care requirements.

Wallis flower

This species, originally from Colombia, is most often grown at home. It's considered one of the most undemanding, making it a favorite among novice flower growers.

The plant is small, no more than 35-40 cm tall, with elongated oval leaves. It blooms profusely and for a long time. The elongated flower, up to 9 cm long, rises above the main mass of leaves. This variety is the basis for breeding.

Heliconia-leaved

This species is native to the Brazilian rainforest. It is a tall plant, reaching one meter in height. Its oval green leaves, up to 25 cm wide, are pointed at the tips.

The flower resembles a spadix wrapped in a white leaflet, which is approximately twice as tall as the spadix itself. Modern scientists believe that this is not a separate species, but a variety of the spoon-shaped flower.

Spoon-shaped

It is a luxurious shrub growing up to one meter tall. The leaves, like those of the heliconiaceae, are oval, elongated, pointed at the tips, and rather narrow in shape.

They grow on petioles up to 7 cm in height. The flower itself is a spadix wrapped in a white leaf—a spathe.

Abundantly flowering

A favorite indoor plant, native to Colombia. It blooms profusely and for a long time, as its name suggests. The green leaves are also oval-shaped, and the flower is wrapped in a white spathe. This variety is small, growing up to 25 cm in height.

Pleasant, or charming

It grows slowly, but blooms lavishly and continuously, from April to June. It is native to the tropical forests of the American continent.

The flower's spathe has a greenish tint and is shaped like a small flag, leading to its common nickname, "flagolista." The plant's leaves are dark green, rich in color, elongated, and reach approximately 30 centimeters in height.

Cannolistny

This variety gets its name from its resemblance to canna leaves. It's a species distinguished by its pleasant, intense aroma. The flowers are white, up to 23 cm tall, and almost twice the size of the spadix. The leaves are large, reaching 40 centimeters.

Rules for caring for flowers at home

Spathiphyllum is a houseplant native to tropical forests. Its origins largely determine its care and maintenance requirements for indoor use.

Temperature

This plant loves warmth. For successful growth, it requires temperatures of at least 18 degrees Celsius, and preferably even higher.

Direct sunlight is rather unfavorable for the plant. It requires diffused light, so placing it near a windowsill rather than on it is ideal, as this will provide sufficient light. If the pot is placed on a windowsill, shade the window during periods of strong sunlight.

Light

It doesn't require any special lighting conditions and thrives in both sun and shade. However, the plant's appearance can indicate a lack of sunlight—if the leaves become smaller and more elongated, it's time to move it to a brighter location.

Watering, fertilizing and spraying

Spathiphyllum requires watering year-round. During winter, water slightly less to prevent the roots from freezing. The rest of the year, water generously, ideally with settled water.

It also requires misting—as a tropical rainforest plant, it requires high humidity. If constant misting isn't possible, you can place the pot in a tray filled with damp moss or sand.

Maintaining a regular watering schedule without additional fertilization will not be enough. Ideally, purchase a special fertilizer for flowering plants, but a general-purpose fertilizer will suffice. During the warmer months, it's recommended to fertilize the soil once a week; in winter, the amount of fertilizer can be reduced.

Pests, diseases and their control

Typical pests for indoor flowers include:

1. Spider mites spin webs on the undersides of leaves, causing them to curl and turn yellow. To get rid of this pest, use a fungicide, remove the webs first, and then repot the plant.

   

2. Overwatering can lead to mealybugs. To combat this, gardeners recommend wiping the leaves with citrus juice.

   

3. Sooty mold may be visible on the outer surface of the leaves. Washing the leaves with soapy water is recommended for treatment.
4. If dark spots appear on the leaves, they are being attacked by aphids. To get rid of them, use a mixture of soap and kerosene.

In any case, you should always have a parasite control product in your home to start fighting the pests as soon as possible.

In addition to parasites, the appearance and condition of the flower are also greatly influenced by the conditions of maintenance and care:

• if the tips of the leaves dry out, the flower does not have enough moisture;
• If the leaves turn yellow and lose turgor, it is damaged by bright sunlight;
• the reduction and elongation of leaves is also a consequence of a lack of light;
• The absence of flowers for a long time is usually a consequence of several of the above reasons.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

Like any other houseplant, spathiphyllum needs to be repotted from time to time. This is best done in early spring, moving the plant to a larger pot. The soil should be a mixture of turf, peat, leaf mold, humus, and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:1:1. Adding charcoal to the soil is also a good idea.

When considering the size of the new growing container, it shouldn't be significantly larger than the rhizome. Otherwise, the spathiphyllum won't bloom quickly—all its energy will be spent on root growth, not new flowers. Propagation can be accomplished in several ways.

Cuttings

If you separate the leaf rosettes from a mature peace lily, these will become cuttings. If the cuttings have small roots, they can be planted directly in soil. If not, you need to grow roots first. Several options are suitable for this, including damp sand and water with activated charcoal added. Special substrates, such as peat or moss, can also be used.

If the temperature regime is maintained correctly, roots will form fairly quickly. After this, the cutting is planted in a pot, and further care follows general care principles.

By dividing the bush

Propagation by division is an excellent way to accelerate growth, as this method thins out the bushes, allowing the mature plant to grow faster. Division should be done in the spring, before the growing season begins.

Before the procedure, the plant should be watered generously. This will make the roots less brittle. After removing the bush from the soil, the rhizome should be thoroughly washed to remove any soil and dry or rotted parts.

The root cuttings should be sprinkled with crushed activated charcoal and left to dry. It's best to select cuttings that have a growing point and three leaves.

The cut off bushes are planted in individual small pots. The soil used is the same as for repotting an adult plant, mixing leaf mold, peat, sand, and humus. To improve drainage, you can add a little crushed brick. Alternatively, you can purchase ready-made soil, preferring a mix designed for growing Araceae.

Seeds

To propagate a flower from seeds, you can choose one of two options: buy ready-made seeds or grow them yourself. Ready-made seeds are sold in specialty stores. It's important to pay attention to the expiration date on the packaging when purchasing them, as in practice, only half of all seeds germinate after sowing.

To obtain seeds at home, the flower must be artificially pollinated. After pollination, the seeds should appear as green peas. These must be collected quickly and planted immediately, as they cannot be stored for long periods.

Sow the plant in a small, flat container, filling it with a mixture of peat and sand. Maintain a constant temperature of 24-25 degrees Celsius and water by misting. Cover the container with plastic wrap and ventilate it periodically. If you don't ventilate and oversaturate the soil, mold will grow under the plastic wrap and the seed will die.

History of flower cultivation and signs

The discovery of the plant dates back to the 19th century. It was then that the plant was first discovered by the German scientist Gustav Wallis. After arriving in Europe, it attracted the attention of breeders not only for its inflorescences but also for the characteristics of its leaves. This marked the beginning of extensive breeding work, resulting in the development of many varieties of this plant.

In its original form, spathiphyllum can be found in the countries of South America: Brazil, Colombia, mainly in marshy areas or on the banks of fresh water bodies.

Many signs and superstitions surround this now-popular houseplant. It is believed to bring happiness not only to single and unmarried people, but also to those with families and childless ones. Thanks to its magical powers, one can soon find a husband and get married, improve family relationships and resolve conflicts, and experience the joy of long-awaited motherhood.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Spathiphyllum is a relatively easy-to-care-for plant. But like any living organism, it requires attention and care. If you follow a few simple rules, it will decorate your home and perhaps even bring happiness to your love life.