When it comes to indoor plants, two of the most popular choices that often spark conversation are the peace lily and the Chinese evergreen. Both of these plants add elegance, greenery, and character to home or office spaces. But for someone new to plant care, it can be challenging to decide between the two or even distinguish one from the other. This guide will help you better understand how to differentiate between a peace lily and Chinese evergreen flower, along with their care requirements, benefits, and aesthetic differences.
Introduction to Peace Lily and Chinese Evergreen
What Is a Peace Lily?
The peace lily, scientifically known as Spathiphyllum, is a flowering plant celebrated for its pure white blooms and lush green foliage. Originating from tropical areas of the Americas and Southeast Asia, the peace lily thrives in shaded environments, making it ideal for indoor spaces. Its distinctive white flowers are technically a spathe, a modified leaf that encloses the plant’s small, modest flowers.
Peace lilies are well-known for their elegance and low-maintenance nature. They’re widely recommended for beginners due to their adaptability to low light and forgiving nature when it comes to irregular watering.
What Is a Chinese Evergreen?
The Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) is another favorite among houseplant lovers. Native to Southeast Asia and subtropical areas, this plant boasts glossy, variegated leaves that come in shades of green, silver, and sometimes red or pink, depending on the variety. Although it doesn’t flower as conspicuously as the peace lily, the Chinese evergreen is highly prized for its foliage and its hardiness, able to thrive in low-light, humid conditions.
A Chinese evergreen is perfect for those who want a splash of color in their indoor plant collection without dealing with demanding maintenance or unfavorable growing conditions.
How to Differentiate Between Peace Lily and Chinese Evergreen Flowers
1. Appearance of the Flowers
The most striking way to differentiate between a peace lily and Chinese evergreen flower lies in their appearance.
- Peace Lily Flowers: The flowers of the peace lily are visually striking yet simple. They feature a white or ivory-colored spathe surrounding a slender spadix in the center. The spathe resembles a petal but serves as a protective bract for the tiny flowers on the spadix.
- Chinese Evergreen Flowers: Chinese evergreen plants produce flowers that are less remarkable. Their blooms also have a spathe-and-spadix structure, but these flowers tend to be smaller, more subdued, and greenish-white in color. Unlike the peace lily, Chinese evergreen flowers don’t stand out and are often overlooked in favor of their variegated foliage.
2. Frequency of Blooming
The peace lily is more consistent when it comes to flowering indoors. With proper care, it’s common to see peace lilies blooming multiple times a year. However, the Chinese evergreen rarely flowers indoors; even when it does, the flowers are short-lived and much less noticeable.
3. Purpose of the Flowers
While peace lily flowers are often regarded as the crowning jewel of the plant and add a touch of elegance to their overall look, the Chinese evergreen’s flowers are secondary to its vibrant and diverse foliage. If you are searching for a plant primarily for its flowers, the peace lily is the obvious choice.
Foliage Comparison
1. Leaf Shape and Texture
- Peace Lily: The leaves of a peace lily are long, slender, and slightly glossy. They have a fine texture with a prominent midrib running through the center.
- Chinese Evergreen: Chinese evergreen leaves are broader, more rounded, and waxy. They also feature distinctive patterns depending on the variety, ranging from speckles to stripes and bold variegation.
2. Color Variations
Peace lily foliage is generally a deep and uniform green. On the other hand, Chinese evergreen plants are known for their stunning leaf variegation. Some varieties showcase silver streaks, spots, or even pink and red accents, offering a much more diverse appearance compared to the peace lily.
Care Requirements
1. Light Preferences
Both the peace lily and the Chinese evergreen can thrive in low-light conditions, making them excellent choices for indoor environments. That said:
- Peace Lily: Prefers indirect light and may even tolerate shaded corners. However, extended periods in very low light will hinder its ability to bloom.
- Chinese Evergreen: More adaptable to varying light conditions, including artificial light. Some variegated varieties do better under medium light to maintain their vibrant patterns.
2. Watering Needs
While both plants don’t require frequent watering, there are slight differences you should note:
- Peace Lily: Requires consistently moist soil but cannot tolerate sitting in waterlogged conditions. It’s known to droop dramatically when thirsty but revives quickly after watering.
- Chinese Evergreen: More drought-tolerant than the peace lily. It prefers the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, making it a plant for those who may not water on a strict schedule.
3. Temperature and Humidity
- Peace Lily: Thrives in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. It loves high humidity and benefits from occasional misting if kept in a dry room.
- Chinese Evergreen: Adaptable to similar temperatures, ideally between 65°F and 80°F. While it also enjoys humidity, it’s somewhat more tolerant of drier conditions compared to the peace lily.
Benefits and Functions
1. Air Purification
Both plants are known to naturally purify the air, making them valuable additions to indoor spaces:
- Peace Lily: An excellent air purifier that’s effective at removing harmful toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. It is often recommended by NASA studies on air quality improvement.
- Chinese Evergreen: Also praised for its air-purifying abilities, though not as highly ranked as the peace lily. It still contributes to improving indoor air quality by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen.
2. Aesthetic Appeal
If you’re looking for clean, elegant aesthetics and stunning flowers, the peace lily is a better choice. For bold foliage enthusiasts, the Chinese evergreen shines as a versatile, colorful option.
3. Toxicity
It’s important to note that both plants are toxic to pets and humans if ingested. This is due to calcium oxalate crystals present in their leaves. If you have cats, dogs, or young children, take care to place these plants out of reach.
Which One Should You Choose?
Your choice between the peace lily and Chinese evergreen depends on your preferences, lifestyle, and home environment. Here are some quick decision-making tips:
- If you love flowers and want a plant that blooms often, choose the peace lily.
- If you adore colorful foliage and don’t mind a plant that rarely flowers, go with the Chinese evergreen.
- If you’re new to plant care and want a forgiving, low-maintenance plant, either option works—though the Chinese evergreen may forgive watering mistakes more leniently.
- For households with limited sunlight, both plants perform well, but the Chinese evergreen’s adaptation to low light edges out the peace lily in versatility.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how to differentiate between a peace lily and Chinese evergreen flower goes beyond just identifying their blooms. It involves recognizing their unique characteristics, care requirements, and what they bring to your indoor space. While the peace lily stands out for its graceful flowers and air-purifying qualities, the Chinese evergreen wins hearts with its vibrant and diverse foliage.
Ultimately, both plants are outstanding additions to any home or office, combining beauty with ease of care. Whether you choose one or decide on both, you’re sure to enjoy the natural charm they add to your interior decor.
