The Added Benefit Of Keeping A Peace Lily Plant In Your Bathroom

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.) are a timeless favorite. Resilient as it is beautiful, this plant is a wonderful option for beginners and seasoned plant owners alike, and it has more to offer than its beauty. Peace lilies come with an array of additional benefits. Not only are they considered a calming houseplant that makes your space feel fresh, but they're also said to effectively purify the air. This capability makes them an excellent plant to keep in the bathroom.

This group of tropical evergreen plants is not actually a true lily — they belong to the Arum family. There are over 60 different species of peace lilies, and they can range anywhere from 1 to 6 feet tall and wide. While leaf shape and color vary from variety to variety, peace lilies generally feature lush foliage growing from a central rosette and, of course, iconic white blooms. They use their broad leaves to filter the air around them. As peace lilies filter the air, they effectively remove toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. From there, the toxins are sent into the soil and broken down by microbes.

All kinds of smells and chemicals can linger in the enclosed, moist space of a bathroom. Keeping a peace lily in this room can help to purify the air. NASA itself even found that the peace lily, among other low-maintenance houseplants, can aid in removing pollutants from the air. When you place a peace lily in your bathroom, it works as a mini air filtration system, combating musty smells and even the presence of mold. If you want the best air filtration results possible, be sure to keep the top soil exposed.

Caring for your peace lily is a breeze. While some houseplants don't do well in a bathroom, it's actually the perfect room for peace lilies. The humid, warm air and dappled light mimic its natural environment. Just be sure your window provides bright, indirect light — they can't survive without at least some sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not overly saturated. You'll be able to tell if your plant needs more water if it seems to "faint". Don't panic if you see this, as it will perk right back up after watering. Keep in mind that peace lilies can be sensitive to certain compounds in tap water, so you might want to opt for filtered or distilled water instead. You should also regularly wipe down the leaves to remove dust for optimal photosynthesis. With these simple care tips, you should have a thriving peace lily poised to keep your bathroom air fresh!