Peace lily can remove formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, and ammonia from the air. It also has a high transpiration rate and produces beautiful white flowers.

Studies by NASA have found peace lilies to remove notable amounts of benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene (an industrial solvent) from the air. The plant captures these nasty molecules in its leaf pores and sends them to its roots, where microbes change them into less harmful compounds.

• Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the root ball of your peace lily. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix, such as peat-free multi-purpose or house plant compost.
• Place the peace lily in the pot and gently press the soil around the roots. Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain out. Place the pot in a location that receives indirect sunlight, such as near a window or under a fluorescent light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves of the plant.
• Water your peace lily regularly, but not too much. The soil should be moist, but not soggy. You can also watch for signs of wilting or drooping, which indicate that the plant needs water.
• Mist your peace lily with a spray bottle of dechlorinated water several times a week to increase the humidity around the plant. Peace lilies are native to tropical rainforests, so they prefer high humidity levels.

Toxicity

Although it is called a "lily", the peace lily is not a true lily from the family Liliaceae. True lilies are highly toxic (poisonous) to cats and dogs, but the peace lily, spathiphyllum is only mildly toxic to humans and other animals when ingested. Like many Araceae it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause skin irritation, a burning sensation in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and nausea, but it does not contain the toxins found in true lilies, which could cause acute kidney failure in cats and some other animals.