Einblatt Pflege: All information at a glance

A little story for the cover sheet

The one-leaf, also called peace lily, sheath leaf or leaf flag, stands for the plant genus Spathiphyllum and belongs to the aroid family. It is native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela and carries more than 50 different species.

It only found its way to Europe around 1870 and is now used here as a popular houseplant.

The unusual name Spathiphyllum (spat=spoon, phyl=leaf) comes from the Greek. He describes nothing other than the spoon-like shape of the bract. The leaflet has also found a place in the symbolism and stands for the white flag that accepts the international armistice.

The look: up high

All single leaf species have one thing in common: they have a white bract that protrudes between the lush green leaves. These usually have a lanceolate shape. The white bract should not be confused with the actual flower, which sits on the narrow spadix in the middle of the bract.

Die richtige Einblatt Pflege

The right single leaf care: location, watering, propagation etc.

The single leaf care is the prerequisite for a beautifully growing bract. Therefore you will learn in the course of the article how the care works properly.

Blank Location: No direct sunlight

In its original habitat, the single-leaf Spathiphyllum grows in the shade of tall trees, protecting itself from direct sunlight. You should therefore also make sure that you place the plant in your home in a bright to partly shaded location, without direct sunlight. A room temperature of 15-23 °C is recommended.

The plant also grows particularly well in humid rooms, such as the bathroom. The nice thing about it: According to studies, the single leaf is one of the air-purifying plants.

Tip: Especially during flowering, the single leaf does not tolerate direct sunlight, otherwise leaf edge damage can occur.

One leaf soil: The right pH value protects the plant

The choice of the right substrate is also very important for single-leaf care. Potting soil that is slightly acidic, i.e. has a pH value between 5.0 and 6.0, is best suited. It is therefore important that you always pay attention to the pH value when buying soil. Because if it's not in that range, your one-leaf can't develop healthily.

In addition to the weakly acidic property, the substrate should be well permeable to water and have an admixture of clayey field soil or quartz sand. If you are motivated, you can also mix up your own substrate. It's easy.

You only need five parts of peat substrate (humus substrate), two parts of field soil with clay and one part of quartz sand. In this way, your single leaf is optimally protected against plant pests and diseases, as it can develop a high level of resistance on its own.

Water the one leaf: the plant likes moisture

The right single leaf care means not only the choice of substrate, but also the regular water supply. In any case, you should avoid prolonged drought or waterlogging for your plant, as in the worst case it can die.

When the top layer of soil has dried slightly, it's time for the next watering. In winter you can water the plant a little less, but in summer you should make sure that it always gets enough water.This is the only way to guarantee healthy growth with a bract that grows in height

Tip: The single leaf is used to high humidity, so you can spray the leaves with soft water from time to time.

Fertilize the single leaf: This is how you conjure up an elegant bract

For a beautifully developed flower, the single leaf should be supplied with liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growth phase (April to September). As a result, the plant receives sufficient nutrients and can regularly develop its enchanting bract with the flower from June to September. In winter it is sufficient if you fertilize it every eight weeks, as it does not need as many nutrients here. In addition to chemical fertilizers, coffee grounds are perfect for your one-leaf.

Cut a leaf: Avoid contact with the sap

The cutting of the one-leaf care is basically very easy, since a pruning is not necessary. Nevertheless, you should carefully cut off the dried and withered flower shoots with a pair of sharp scissors. When cutting, however, you should always make sure that you avoid contact with the plant sap, as this can quickly lead to redness and swelling. Therefore, to be on the safe side, always wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.

Tip: If you cut off the parts of the plant directly above the ground, it looks visually nicer and the single leaf shines with new freshness.

Repot one leaf: regularity is good for the plant

Regular repotting is essential for optimal single-leaf care. This should be done at intervals of one to two years at most, since the plant then needs a larger container and new soil to ensure its nutrient supply. As with almost all (house) plants, spring is ideal for repotting. For this, the old (spent) soil should be thoroughly removed from the roots and the dead roots should be cut off.

Tip: You can tell whether you have repotted your single leaf well by the fact that it takes root well in the new pot and can continue to grow.

Die richtige Einblattpflege

Propagating single-leaf: Form your own single-leaf family

If you plant your single leaf in a new pot in spring, you can simply divide the (mother) plant into two pieces (daughter plants). Always be careful with the roots as they are very delicate. The prerequisite for a well-growing daughter plant is the presence of at least three leaves. If you have planted them in their own planters, they should not be fertilized for the next three months.

Is the single leaf poisonous?

As beautiful as the easy-care single leaf is, it unfortunately belongs to the arum family of plants and is therefore poisonous to dogs and cats, just like us humans. Just coming into contact with the plant sap can lead to unpleasant skin irritation. There is also a warning against consumption, as the parts of the plant can lead to gastrointestinal complaints, swelling of the mucous membranes and vomiting.

Das Einblatt ist leider giftig für Mensch und Tier

Leaflet care: All important information at a glance

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