The Healthy Houseplant
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • HOUSEPLANTS
    • ANTHURIUMS
    • BIRD OF PARADISE
    • CALATHEAS
    • DRACAENAS
    • DUMB CANES
    • FIDDLE LEAF FIG
    • MONEY TREES
    • MONSTERA ADANSONII
    • MONSTERA DELICIOSA
    • PEACE LILIES
    • PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES
    • POTHOS
    • PRAYER PLANTS
    • RUBBER TREES
    • SNAKE PLANTS
    • ZZ PLANTS
  • RECOMMENDATIONS
    • HUMIDIFIERS
    • GROW LIGHTS
    • LECA
    • GIFT IDEAS
  • eBooks
    • MONSTERA DELICIOSA
    • PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES
    • ZZ PLANTS
  • Why Your Monstera Deliciosa Is Crying, Sweating and Dripping Water
  • Monsteras & Aerial Roots: What Are They & What Should You Do With Them?
  • Training Monstera Deliciosa: How to Make Them Climb
  • Why, When & How to Prune Your Monstera Deliciosa
  • How to Save a ZZ Plant From Root Rot: A Step By Step Guide
Subscribe
The Healthy Houseplant
The Healthy Houseplant
  • House Plants
    • ANTHURIUMS
      • ANTHURIUM CARE
      • ANTHURIUM HELP
      • ANTHURIUM PROPAGATION
      • ANTHURIUM TIPS
    • BIRD OF PARADISE
      • BOP CARE
      • BOP HELP
      • BOP PROPAGATION
      • BOP TIPS
    • CALATHEAS
      • CALATHEA CARE
      • CALATHEA HELP
      • CALATHEA PROPAGATION
      • CALATHEA TIPS
    • DRACAENAS
      • DRACAENA CARE
      • DRACAENA HELP
      • DRACAENA PROPAGATION
      • DRACAENA TIPS
    • DUMB CANES
      • DUMB CANE CARE
      • DUMB CANE HELP
      • DUMB CANE PROPAGATION
      • DUMB CANE TIPS
    • FIDDLE LEAF FIG
      • FLF CARE
      • FLF HELP
      • FLF PROPAGATION
      • FLF TIPS
    • MONEY TREES
      • MONEY TREE CARE
      • MONEY TREE HELP
      • MONEY TREE PROPAGATION
      • MONEY TREE TIPS
    • MONSTERA ADANSONII
      • MONSTERA ADANSONII CARE
      • MONSTERA ADANSONII HELP
      • MONSTERA ADANSONII PROPAGATION
      • MONSTERA ADANSONII TIPS
    • MONSTERA DELICIOSA
      • MONSTERA DELICIOSA CARE
      • MONSTERA DELICIOSA HELP
      • MONSTERA DELICIOSA PROPAGATION
      • MONSTERA DELICIOSA TIPS
    • PEACE LILIES
      • PEACE LILY CARE
      • PEACE LILY HELP
      • PEACE LILY PROPAGATION
      • PEACE LILY TIPS
    • PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES
      • PILEA CARE
      • PILEA HELP
      • PILEA PROPAGATION
      • PILEA TIPS
    • POTHOS
      • POTHOS CARE
      • POTHOS HELP
      • POTHOS PROPAGATION
      • POTHOS TIPS
    • PRAYER PLANTS
      • PRAYER PLANT CARE
      • PRAYER PLANT HELP
      • PRAYER PLANT PROPAGATION
      • PRAYER PLANT TIPS
    • RUBBER TREES
      • RUBBER TREE CARE
      • RUBBER TREE HELP
      • RUBBER TREE PROPAGATION
      • RUBBER TREE TIPS
    • SNAKE PLANTS
      • SNAKE PLANT CARE
      • SNAKE PLANT HELP
      • SNAKE PLANT PROPAGATION
      • SNAKE PLANT TIPS
    • ZZ PLANTS
      • ZZ CARE
      • ZZ HELP
      • ZZ PROPAGATION
      • ZZ TIPS
  • About
  • RECOMMENDATIONS
    • GIFT IDEAS
    • GROW LIGHTS
    • LECA
    • HUMIDIFIERS
    • TERRARIUMS
    • LIVE PLANTS
  • eBooks
    • MONSTERA DELICIOSA
    • PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES
    • ZZ PLANTS
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUMS

Is An Anthurium a Peace Lily? What Are The Differences Between the Two?

  • Fred Naumann
  • 6 minute read
Total
3
Shares
1
0
2

The striking blooms of Anthuriums and Peace Lilies are very similar in structure, with a bumpy central spike rising from the base of a single large petal, and both plants thrive in very similar growing conditions. Are they different species? Or is Anthurium a lesser-known type of Peace Lily?

Anthurium and Peace Lily are different plants, though they are closely related in evolutionary terms. Both are aroids – members of the Araceae family, which includes many popular houseplants. “Peace Lily” is the common name of the genus Spathiphyllum, while Anthuriums form a distinct genus of their own.

You can spot some of the differences by inspecting the foliage and flowers. Anthurium leaves are more heart-shaped, and the colorful portion of the bloom tends to lay flatter, while the bright white spathe of a Peace Lily typically curves up like the hood of a cobra. Despite these cosmetic differences, however, these plants have near-identical care requirements.


What Is a Peace Lily?

Despite the name, a Peace Lily isn’t what botanists would call a true lily. That distinction is reserved for members of the Liliaceae family, which includes classic species like the Madonna Lily and the Tiger Lily.

The blooms of a Peace Lily bear a passing resemblance to the white flowers that appear in grocery stores during the Easter season, but their anatomy is wildly different.

The large white “petal” of a Peace Lily is actually a specialized leaf called a spathe – hence the Latin name for its genus, Spathiphyllum. The actual flowers are the small nubs covering the spike (called a spadix) that grows up in front of the spathe.

In essence, each bloom on a Peace Lily is cupping a whole bouquet of miniature flowers! The combined structure is called an inflorescence.

This setup – a large, bright spathe displaying a small, cylindrical spadix – is characteristic of the Araceae family of flowering plants. Members of this family are often called aroids, and there are over three thousand of them. Anthuriums are in this group as well, and so are many other well-loved houseplants, including Philodendrons, Monsteras, Arrowhead Vines, Pothos, and ZZ Plants.


Anthurium and Peace Lily – Similarities

Don’t feel too bad if you assumed a Peace Lily was just a species of Anthurium with white flowers. These two types of plants are similar in many ways, and they occupy neighboring branches on the aroid family tree. We’ll look at a few – though by no means all – of the things they have in common.

Behavior

The inflorescences produced by these two species don’t just look similar – they also behave in much the same way, appearing first as slender, tightly folded spears and opening wide as they mature.

Peace Lilies and Flamingo Flowers also remain in bloom for longer than most houseplants, typically around two months, and can produce blooms year-round in the right conditions.

Both Anthurium and Spathiphyllum sometimes live as epiphytes. That means they can climb up other plants and forgo the soil entirely, getting all the water and nutrition they need from rain, vapor, and falling scraps of vegetation. They accomplish this by producing aerial roots, which help them cling to nearby objects and absorb moisture from the air.

Growing Conditions

Anthuriums and Peace Lilies both prefer indirect or filtered light in large quantities. Keep them in well-lit rooms but away from windows because the direct sun can cause color fading and sunburns.

Both plants prefer a similar temperature range – between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit – and both like humid air. This makes them popular choices for adding a touch of greenery to a bathroom.

The similarities between Peace Lilies and Anthuriums extend below the surface. These plants thrive in the same type of potting mix: a loose, well-draining blend of coarse ingredients. These plants have roots that require lots of oxygen, and they’ll fare poorly in a soggy, dense medium.

Defenses

One other similarity to remember: both Peace Lilies and Anthuriums are mildly toxic. Like many aroids, they produce calcium oxalate crystals in their leaves and sap. This chemical can irritate the skin, and if swallowed, it leads to nausea, difficulty swallowing, and a burning sensation in the mouth.

This won’t be an issue as long as you use gloves when trimming the plant and don’t try to eat it. But those with pets or small children should keep these plants well out of nibbling range.

Fortunately, if one of your less cautious family members has eaten an Anthurium or Peace Lily leaf, they shouldn’t suffer any serious or lasting harm. The sap isn’t deadly to humans or animals, just very unpleasant.


Anthurium and Peace Lily – Differences

We could probably list another ten paragraphs of similarities between Anthuriums and Peace Lilies, but you’re probably more interested in how to tell them apart.

Flowers

Distinguishing these plants is relatively simple when they’re flowering. The spathes of a Peace Lily in full bloom are always white, while those of Anthuriums can display vivid shades of red, purple, or pink. That’s one reason they’re often known as Flamingo Flowers.

Unlike Peace Lilies, Anthurium spathes have a waxy texture and a bright sheen. And Peace Lily spathes don’t typically lay at right angles to the spadix, which is common in Anthuriums. Instead, Spathiphyllum cradles its array of tiny florets within a curved, upright spathe.

Foliage

The leaves of a Spathiphyllum are usually narrower and more ovoid than those of a Flamingo Flower. Anthurium leaves can vary dramatically between species, but most are vaguely heart-shaped, with two large curves sweeping back from the junction with the petiole.

Peace Lilies also have a bit of a reputation as drama queens – they often slump and droop noticeably when they’re thirsty, as though they’re trying to tug at your heartstrings. Anthuriums aren’t prone to these theatrics.

A word of caution, though. Some inexperienced growers assume you should just wait until a Peace Lily wilts before watering it, but if you make a habit of this, you may stress and damage your plant. It’s usually better to test the soil periodically, watering when the top inch or so has become dry. 

This is the same watering practice we recommend for Anthuriums; take a look at the advice in this article, which will serve you well when caring for a Peace Lily too.

Propagation

Many aroid houseplants are fairly hardy and can be multiplied from stem cuttings. Anthuriums are a prime example – even a small section of their main stalks can transform into healthy plants when rooted in the right growing medium.  Unfortunately, you can’t do this with Peace Lilies, which lack the tough, woody stem of a Flamingo Flower.

However, both species do sprout distinct clusters of stalks that can form new clones if you divide them from the main root ball. In some ways, this method is easier than propagation from cuttings. You often won’t need any tools at all – simply uproot the plant, tug it apart by hand, and repot each section.

For more information on taking Anthurium cuttings, read this article. And click here if you want to learn how to divide an Anthurium for propagation.

Habitat

If you ever find yourself searching for a Peace Lily in the tropical rainforests that many aroid plants call home, don’t look up. You’re more likely to encounter a Spathiphyllum growing by the side of a bog or a stream than high in a tree. These plants can climb high if they need to, but it’s not their preferred lifestyle.

By contrast, Anthuriums often seek the high ground. Only a few species grow in the watery environments preferred by Peace Lilies. Don’t take that as carte blanche to overwater your Spathiphyllum, though. A pot is a very different environment than a marshy jungle, and there’s definitely such a thing as too much water for your Peace Lily.


Final Thoughts

Anthurium and Spathiphyllum aren’t the same, but many of their differences are obvious only to botanists. When it comes to indoor growing, their requirements are almost identical – bright, indirect sunlight, a loose, airy potting mix, and a humid atmosphere.

Both plants make gorgeous additions to almost any home. So if you really want to learn what makes them unique, why not get one of each and see for yourself?

Total
3
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 2
Fred Naumann

I'm a freelance writer and editor living and working in Chicago. I create web content, marketing copy, weird fiction, and sketch comedy. Ever since I was a little kid working in the garden with my mother and grandmother, I've loved helping green things grow.

You May Also Like
View Post
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUM PROPAGATION
  • ANTHURIUMS

Can Anthuriums Grow from Cuttings? Yes! Here Are the Step by Step Instructions

  • Fred Naumann
View Post
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUMS

What Types of Soil and Containers are Best for Anthurium Houseplants?

  • Fred Naumann
View Post
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUM DIAGNOSE & TREATMENT
  • ANTHURIUM TIPS
  • ANTHURIUMS

How to Keep Your Anthurium Flowers Red And Not White, Green, or Brown

  • Fred Naumann
View Post
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUM DIAGNOSE & TREATMENT
  • ANTHURIUMS

Leggy Anthurium? Here’s How to Fix It!

  • Fred Naumann
View Post
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUM DIAGNOSE & TREATMENT
  • ANTHURIUMS

Is My Anthurium Dying? The Most Common Issues Affecting Anthuriums

  • Fred Naumann
View Post
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUM DIAGNOSE & TREATMENT
  • ANTHURIUMS

Discolored Anthurium Leaves: 8 Common Causes of Yellow and Brown Leaves

  • Fred Naumann
View Post
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUM DIAGNOSE & TREATMENT
  • ANTHURIUMS

What’s Eating Your Anthurium? The Most Common Pests Feasting on Anthuriums

  • Fred Naumann
View Post
  • ANTHURIUM CARE
  • ANTHURIUM DIAGNOSE & TREATMENT
  • ANTHURIUMS

What to Do About Droopy Anthuriums and How to Prevent Future Problems

  • Fred Naumann
Recent Posts
  • 11 Possible Reasons Your Pothos is Losing Leaves
  • Marble Queen Pothos Care: What Your Variegated Plant Needs to Thrive
  • Croton Lighting 101: All You Need to Know for Healthy Crotons

The Sill creative banners

The Healthy Houseplant is reader-supported. We are a member of several affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to external sites. When you make purchases through links on our site, we earn a small commission.

  • What Should You Name Your Monstera Deliciosa? 50+ Names to Get You Started

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Input your search keywords and press Enter.