The Details
• Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ (commonly sold as Spathiphyllum wallisii ‘Sensation’)
• Common Name: Madonna Lily ‘Sensation’, Giant Peace Lily
• Pot Size: 250mm Nursery Pot
• Plant Type: Tropical Evergreen Perennial / Indoor Foliage Plant
Light
Madonna Lily ‘Sensation’ is a fantastic option for indoor spaces where bright, direct sunlight isn't always available.
It thrives in bright, indirect light, which encourages strong, healthy growth, beautifully coloured foliage and the development of those impressive oversized leaves.
A position near an east-facing window or a little back from a bright north-facing window is ideal, particularly where the plant receives plenty of filtered natural light throughout the day.
One of the wonderful qualities of ‘Sensation’ is its ability to tolerate medium and lower-light conditions. Although growth may slow and flowering becomes less likely in dimmer positions, the plant can still maintain its beautiful foliage provided there is sufficient natural light.
Avoid prolonged exposure to harsh direct sunlight, especially during Melbourne's warmer months. Strong afternoon sun can scorch the leaves, causing pale patches, brown markings or crispy edges.
If you're moving your plant into a brighter position, introduce the additional light gradually to allow the foliage to adjust.
For the best balance of lush growth, deep green colouring and healthy new leaves, bright, indirect light is the sweet spot.
Watering
Unlike many indoor plants that prefer to dry out significantly between waterings, Madonna Lily ‘Sensation’ enjoys a more consistent supply of moisture.
Allow the upper few centimetres of potting mix to dry slightly before watering thoroughly, ensuring any excess water can drain freely from the bottom of the nursery pot.
The goal is to maintain lightly moist soil without allowing the roots to sit in constantly saturated conditions.
During spring and summer, when temperatures are warmer and the plant is actively growing, watering will generally be required more frequently.
In autumn and winter, reduce watering as growth slows and moisture takes longer to evaporate from the potting mix.
Peace Lilies are well known for their ability to communicate when they're thirsty, and ‘Sensation’ is no exception. When the soil becomes too dry, the leaves may begin to droop noticeably.
Although the foliage will often recover after watering, repeatedly allowing the plant to wilt severely can place unnecessary stress on the roots and leaves.
It's best to check the soil regularly rather than relying on drooping as your watering reminder.
Overwatering can be equally problematic. Constantly wet soil reduces oxygen around the roots and may eventually lead to root rot, yellowing leaves and declining growth.
Always ensure your pot has adequate drainage, and avoid leaving excess water sitting in a decorative cover pot or saucer.
Feeding
With its impressive foliage and substantial growth potential, Madonna Lily ‘Sensation’ appreciates regular, balanced feeding to maintain its lush appearance.
During spring and summer, apply a quality liquid fertiliser formulated for indoor plants approximately every 2–4 weeks, following the manufacturer's dilution recommendations.
This helps support healthy root development, strong stems and the production of those magnificent new leaves.
During autumn and winter, reduce the strength and frequency of feeding to match the plant's slower growth.
If your ‘Sensation’ continues producing new foliage throughout the cooler months in a warm, well-lit indoor environment, occasional light feeding can still be beneficial.
Avoid excessive fertiliser applications, as nutrient build-up may damage the roots and contribute to brown leaf tips.
Growing
Madonna Lily ‘Sensation’ is a large-growing tropical evergreen belonging to the Araceae family, making it a relative of other popular indoor plants such as Philodendrons, Monsteras and Anthuriums.
Unlike climbing aroids, ‘Sensation’ develops a naturally upright, clumping growth habit, producing large leaves on sturdy stems that emerge from the base of the plant.
As it matures, the foliage becomes increasingly impressive, with individual leaves developing pronounced ribbing and a beautiful, sculptural appearance.
Under favourable conditions, mature specimens can reach approximately 1–1.5 metres in height and spread, sometimes larger in particularly suitable environments.
Its broad leaves naturally extend outwards, so allow plenty of room around the plant for the foliage to develop without being constantly brushed against furniture or walls.
Although primarily grown for its spectacular leaves, ‘Sensation’ can also produce the characteristic Peace Lily flowers: a creamy-white spathe surrounding a central spadix. Flowering is generally less frequent than in smaller Peace Lily varieties and is more likely when the plant receives sufficient indirect light.
For healthy growth, use a quality, well-aerated potting mix that retains some moisture while allowing excess water to drain efficiently.
Our Minty Greenhouse Core Indoor Mix is a suitable choice, providing a balance of moisture retention and aeration for the roots.
Madonna Lily ‘Sensation’ prefers warm, relatively stable indoor temperatures and should be protected from cold draughts, heating vents and sudden temperature changes.
It also appreciates moderate to higher humidity, although it generally adapts well to typical household conditions.
If your home becomes particularly dry, especially during winter when heating is running, a humidifier can help maintain healthier foliage and reduce the likelihood of crispy leaf edges.
Occasionally wipe the large leaves with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and keep them looking their best. Clean foliage also allows the plant to absorb light more efficiently.
As your plant grows, repot only when necessary, ideally during the warmer months. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the existing root ball to avoid leaving excessive wet soil around the roots.
With consistent care, this beautiful tropical giant can become a magnificent, long-lasting feature in your home.
Pet Friendly?
No. Madonna Lily ‘Sensation’ is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Like other Peace Lilies, it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation and discomfort when chewed.
Possible symptoms include excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.
Although Peace Lilies are not true lilies and do not cause the same type of kidney toxicity associated with Lilium species in cats, they should still be kept away from curious pets.
We recommend displaying this plant somewhere your pets cannot access or chew the foliage.
If you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the plant, contact your veterinarian for advice.
Good to Know
Madonna Lily ‘Sensation’ is a particularly impressive member of the Peace Lily family, prized more for its magnificent foliage than its flowers.
While traditional Peace Lilies are often recognised for their white blooms and relatively compact growth, ‘Sensation’ takes things to another level with its oversized, deeply textured leaves and substantial mature size.
The beautiful ribbing across each leaf is a natural characteristic of this variety and becomes especially striking as the foliage matures.
New leaves often emerge in a lighter shade of green before gradually deepening to the rich, glossy emerald colour of the older foliage.
Occasional yellowing of older leaves is a normal part of the plant's growth cycle, particularly as it directs energy towards producing new foliage. These leaves can be carefully removed once they begin to decline.
Brown leaf tips can develop for several reasons, including inconsistent watering, dry air, fertiliser build-up or sensitivity to minerals in tap water. Maintaining consistent growing conditions is generally the best way to minimise these issues.
The plant pictured is a beautiful, established specimen with an impressive spread of large, dark green leaves, prominent ribbing and healthy new growth emerging from its centre. Its generous 250mm nursery pot makes it a fantastic ready-to-style statement plant for larger indoor spaces.
• We photograph as many of our plants as possible; however, some listings may occasionally use supplier images.
• As plants are living things, every plant is unique and natural variations in size, colour and fullness should be expected.
• The plant you receive may not be the exact one pictured, but we'll always hand-pick a beautiful, healthy plant we'd happily display in our own home.
