Arum Family House Plants: A Guide to Aroids and More

The Arum family of house plants is a diverse and fascinating group, comprising over 100 genera and 3,000 species. They are commonly known as aroids.

Some of the most popular arum family house plants include the Philodendron, Peace Lily, and Calla Lily. These plants are known for their striking foliage and elegant flowers.

Arum family house plants are relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions. They can even tolerate low light, making them a great choice for rooms with limited natural light.

Many arum family house plants are also air-purifying, meaning they can help remove toxins from the air and improve indoor air quality.

Expand your knowledge: Do House Plants Improve Air Quality

Arum family house plants are a unique and fascinating group of plants. They're not as well-known as some other houseplants, but they're definitely worth learning about.

Arum plants are poisonous and may not be suitable for gardens with pets and children. This is something to keep in mind if you're considering bringing one into your home.

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Most arum plants are rhizome-producing, perennial plants that hail from the Mediterranean region. Some species can be found in Europe, western to central Asia, and in northern Africa.

Arum plants can range in height from nearly 8 inches to nearly 2 feet. This is a relatively compact size, making them a great option for smaller spaces.

The plants produce a modified leaf called a spathe that curves around the spadix, which is the source of the true flowers. The spathe can be a beautiful and striking feature of the plant.

Spathes may be violet, white, yellow, or brown and may even be sweetly or sharply scented. This can be a nice bonus, especially if you enjoy the fragrance of plants.

Aroids are a diverse group of plants that can thrive indoors with the right conditions.

Most aroids prefer bright, indirect light, but some species like the Swiss cheese plant can tolerate direct light for a few hours a day.

To keep your aroids happy, place them in a room with temperatures between 65 and 85F, as temperatures below 60F can cause damage to the leaves.

Some aroids, like calla lily, caladium, and skunk cabbage, prefer consistently moist soils, but indoor species do well when allowed to dry out slightly between watering.

You can fertilize your aroids with a light application once or twice during the growing season, which can help them stay healthy and strong.

Aroids also benefit from being slightly pot-bound, so you don't need to repot them every year into larger containers.

Most arum family house plants prefer moist, well-draining soil and warm temperatures of 60 degrees F. or higher.

For propagation, you can use leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, layers, or division, as these methods are fairly easy for most varieties. Planting by seed can be a bit tricky, so it's best to avoid it if possible.

Some arum family members, like Jack-in-the-pulpit, are hardy and can thrive in a variety of conditions. They can produce colonies and attractive white spathes with proper care.

On a similar theme: Dracaena Trifasciata Family

If you live in a cooler area, you can grow arum family members like Anthurium as houseplants. They're often grown in USDA zones 10 or higher.

The arum family includes several other common houseplants, such as arrowhead members and Lords and Ladies (or cuckoopint). These plants are often grown for their unique and attractive foliage.

Some arum family members, like Italian arum, have deeply veined leaves and a creamy, white spathe. They're a great choice for adding some visual interest to your home.

Here are some other plants that are sometimes grouped with the arum family, but aren't technically true arums: