Question
I was given a large indoor plant.  I has large glossy green leaves and a few white "flowers" that look like leaves.  The "flowers" have a white knobby stem sticking UP in front of them...they look like a corn cob (sort of).  I don't know what this plant is, what light to keep it in, and how much to feed/water it.  Please help me...it's beautiful and my thumb is NOT green!

Answer
Debra,

Your plant is a peace lilly. The latin name is    SPATHIPHYLLUM. During the last 20 years, Spathiphyllum has gained enormous popularity in the tropical foliage industry. Its popularity is warranted since Spathiphyllum produce large, long lasting, showy white flowers, are relatively easy to grow commercially and are very durable and easy to care for plants for the consumer. Spathiphyllum successfully bridges the gap between foliage and flowering pot plants since it is an excellent flowering plant with tough, beautiful foliage. Spathiphyllum is a member of the Araceae family whose relatives include Aglaonema, Anthurium, Dieffenbachia and Philodendron.

They love lots of bright light but do not want to be in the sun all day.  Mine sits about 6' from a large southfacing window with no drapes or blinds. The roots need alternating periods of moist and dry so the roots can breath in carbon dioxide thru the soil. In this way they are one of the plants that NASA found cleans the air in your home of harmful chemicals. Water it well so all the soil is moist but do not leave water sitting in the drainage tray under the plant. Remove excess water with a turkey baster. Do not have it in a pot without a drainage hole and tray.

Then allow it to dry out until it has been very dry for a few days bfore watering again.  Mine gets water every 10 days to 2 weeks.  

These plants are happiest rootbound and will produce the most flowers that way. Do not repot until it appears the plant is threatening to break it's pot or until you remove the plant from the pot and find nothing but roots. Then only move it to a pot with a 2 inch larger diameter than the old pot.

Fertilize once a month but not at all in December, January or February. Resume fertilizer in March. A water soluable fertilizer similar to Miracle Grow is fine.

If you have more questions please write again.
Good luck.

Darlene