The peace lily is an excellent houseplant option, whether you’re searching for a low-maintenance plant for your office or want to add some greenery to your house. Due to their ability to flourish indoors in the typical home, peace lilies are a common houseplant, but they can also be grown outdoors. Their ability to thrive in low light is another great benefit of this plant. Additionally, these plants are more than just pretty to look at! Peace lilies can infuse your home with tranquility, as they are representations of peace and purity.
In this guide, we’ll discover more about the peace lily plant’s deep meanings and symbolism. We’ll also share some fascinating facts about this plant as well.
The Meaning Behind Peace Lily Plants
The peace lily is one of the most well-liked houseplants in America. Since ancient times, they have served as a symbol of peace, and today you may frequently find them at funerals or in hospital wards to help promote quiet and tranquility. The plant is commonly referred to as the “lily of the valley” or “the hand-holding flower” because of its complex leaves, which resemble hands grasping upward. The name of this flower has both its symbolic significance and meaning behind it. Pax, which means “peace” in Latin, is where the peace lily’s name comes from.
The genus spathiphyllum, which contains about 40 species of flowering plants in the araceae family, is where the peace lily belongs. Both spath and peace lilies are typical names for these plants. Although all peace lilies have comparable symbolism, florists and houseplant collectors prefer to utilize the spathiphyllum cochlearispathum and spathiphyllum wallisii species.
There isn’t just one meaning behind peace lily plants. This plant is actually rich in symbolism and has many different meanings from various cultures. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Tranquility
Nearly everywhere throughout the world, people associate the peace lily with tranquility and serenity. The peace lily plant has adopted this meaning for itself since white is frequently seen as a symbol of peace. Its white flower is reminiscent of the white flags flown all across the world as a sign of truce.
Sending peace lilies to the person with whom you wish to resolve a long-standing disagreement is a wonderful method to accomplish it. Sending this plant has a strong probability of initiating a brand-new friendship.
Purity and Cleanliness
The peace lily is recognized as a plant that helps to cleanse the air by removing impurities. Although peace lilies only have a minor impact on the quality of the air outside, they do improve the air quality within your home. They can process oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide.
Innocence
White has long been seen to represent virginity and purity. As a result, white peace lily flowers are also a representation of purity and innocence. A symbol of virginity and virtue in Christianity, the peace lily is commonly associated with the purity of the Virgin Mary. It also has to do with how well-connected and emotionally intelligent women are.
This blossom is frequently used to symbolize the purity and goodness of those who have passed away. It can also be presented as a gift to people who have just given birth since it represents the child’s innocence. Overall, using this flower to depict someone who is sincere at heart is a terrific idea.
If someone appears in your dream with a peace lily, it may be a clear indication that you see them as a kind, innocent person with only the best of intentions for you. This positive dream can be a sign that you subconsciously have faith in this individual.
Beauty and Youth
Peace lilies are considered to be beautiful. With their delicate white blossoms and bright green leaves, these unique tropical plants are just breathtaking. The beauty of this plant has inspired writers to use it as a metaphor for the seductiveness of their romantic passions. A peace lily is a wonderful way to let someone know you find them fascinating and how precious they are to you.
Prosperity
As mentioned earlier, the peace lily plant is known for having large cup-like spathes and rich green leaves. With the right amount of care indoors or outdoors, it can bloom all year round and maintain its rich color and appearance. This is why it is frequently linked to success and riches. Searching for the best approach to wish a loved one a long and happy life? Peace lilies are a wonderful choice!
Sympathy and Empathy
Peace lilies have historically been used to convey sympathy because they offer the impression that you are wishing someone well and peace. You’ve undoubtedly seen peace lilies given as a sign of condolence to the family of a deceased individual. They serve as both a delicate means of expressing sympathy to those who have lost a loved one as well as a living tribute to the deceased. One of the most popular flower options to send as a condolence gift to someone who has recently lost a loved one are peace lilies.
Hope and Ambition
This lovely flower is frequently regarded as a symbol of hope. This has to do with the fact that it represents peace. According to Feng Shui, the peace lily soothes and harmonizes a space’s energy while boosting feelings of optimism and harmony. The perennial growth of the plant is another symbol of hope. The peace lily serves as evidence that there are many amazing and pleasant things in life to look forward to.
Peace lilies are a nice gift for someone who has just given birth to a child since these plants serve as a loving reminder of the baby’s future and offer the parents hope for the future success of their child. Giving this flower to someone you care about will convey a similar message of inspiration and optimism. Even if it might seem like everything is bad right now, things might improve.
A dream with peace lilies might be a subliminal message from your mind to not give up and to keep trying if you’re going through difficult circumstances, such as a rough patch in your marriage or challenges in your profession. In this same vein, many people think that putting peace lilies in vases throughout the house can help you stay motivated and upbeat.
Spiritual and Mental Healing
Healing and finding the right psychological balance in order to lead a more peaceful and harmonious life are two more prominent meanings associated with peace lilies. All year long, peace lilies continue to grow and bloom. The fact that this flower can bloom all year illustrates how adaptable it is. This amazing quality of the peace lily plant has long been associated in many religions with the curative abilities of God.
They make a wonderful gift for someone who is recovering from an illness as a marker of their advancement. Alternatively, you may use this plant to comfort a loved one that things will soon get better if they are currently going through challenges or problems in life. It’s noteworthy to note that several houseplants have been shown to speed up hospital patients’ recovery times and lessen their bodily and mental discomfort.
Longevity
Peace lilies are perennials from the tropics. A perennial plant is one that survives for more than two years. This implies that if you give your peace lily plants adequate care, they can live for many years and continue to blossom. In reality, this plant may endure for more than ten years in ideal circumstances, with some specimens living as long as 20 years. This perennial plant’s characteristic has led to its use as a symbol of endurance. Giving a peace lily the next time you want to wish someone a long and healthy life could be a terrific option.
Rebirth
As was previously noted in this guide, peace lilies bloom continuously and endure for many years. Additionally, because they continue to grow throughout the year, many have come to equate these plants with Jesus Christ’s resurrection. In other words, a peace lily plant represents the regeneration of the soul and spiritual separation from Earthly life.
Peace Lily Symbolism
The peace lily has quite a bit of spiritual and religious symbolism. Due to its capacity to bring harmony and calm into a room, the peace lily is a well-liked plant in Feng Shui. It is even more significant since it may aid in air purification. Although a peace lily may help calm any space, offices, and bedrooms are where it is most frequently found. The southwest corner of the room is an excellent area to put the peace lily, which symbolizes marriage and partnerships. We can’t promise anything, but if you want to improve harmony in your house, there’s no harm in putting a peace lily in the southwest corner of your living room.
The peace lily also has some Christian symbolism. There aren’t many allusions to the peace lily in Victorian literature because it had just reached Europe in the late 1800s. The peace lily does, however, occasionally have a role in Christianity. Some see the plant as a representation of Christ’s ascension from the dead. As a result, it is occasionally displayed in flower arrangements during Easter. Others believe that the peace lily represents the purity and innocence of the Virgin Mary.
Facts About the Peace Lily
In addition to their rich history, symbolism, and many meanings, there are many additional interesting facts about peace lilies as well.
Peace lily plants are not only visually beautiful and symbolic but also good for your health. They are well known for clearing the air around them. They eliminate airborne contaminants that are dangerous, such as benzene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and ammonia.
Plants that grow peace lilies are relatively low maintenance and do not need much attention. They only require a shaded area and plenty of water. It has no issues with overwatering. Your peace lily will survive even if you neglect to water it since it is incredibly hardy.
Because their spathe resembles a ship’s sails, peace lily plants are also known as “white sails.” In addition, many individuals believe that these white spathes are flowers. However, the small blossoms of the peace lily, which are situated on the pointed spadix, are the truth.
Plants of the peace lily should not be kept in environments below 60 degrees F since they are susceptible to cold temperatures. In addition, some people may develop allergies to the plant’s pollen, and some varieties may be toxic to pets.
There is no denying that a peace lily is a beautiful addition to your home, whether you keep one there for decorative purposes merely or to symbolize a virtue you hold dear. And to top it off, it’s not even that demanding to care for! Peace lilies are a great first plant for anybody wanting to learn how to take care of plants at home.
Want to learn even more about this amazing plant? Check out our complete guide to peace lilies here.
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