10 Practical Solutions for Peace Lilies

Peace lilies are tropical plants that thrive on humidity. Yet, they don't like a lot of moisture in their soil. Overwatering is overwhelmingly the most common care-taking mistake. If your plant continues to look distressed after you water it several times, it may be dead or dying.

Unearth your plant. If the roots are mushy, then root rot has overtaken and it can't be saved. If you do have some roots left, gently clean off the dead portions and replant the peace lily in fresh, dry soil. Use a sterile, well-draining pot only slightly larger than the root ball. Mix a fungicide into the soil before planting.

Yellowing leaves aren't an uncommon malady in peace lilies. The problem is that this one symptom can have many causes. Overwatering is one, and so is underwatering. Nutrient deficiency may also be a factor, or the leaves may simply be dying as part of the peace lily's natural life cycle.

Look back on what you've been doing the past few weeks. Depending on the situations, repot the plant, add water, or incorporate fertilizer. Ideally, make just one change at a time so you can narrow down the problem.

The main cause of leaf tips turning brown is over-fertilization. Too much fertilizer can burn the plant, and your peace lily is telling you this by displaying brown tips. Cut back on the chemicals for a while, and perhaps repot your plant.

Fluoride, chlorine, and hard water are other reasons for leaf tips turning brown. Again, this has to do with an overabundance of chemicals. It's best to use distilled or rain water on your plants.

Black leaves are even more complex than yellowing foliage. Follow the same protocol for yellow leaves, since any of the same afflictions could be at play. In addition, blackening may be caused by cold exposure or too much light. Make sure your plant is in a warm area with indirect light.

When your peace lily doesn't look sickly but its leaves are drooping, this is often a sign of underwatering. If the soil seems dry and you've inadvertently neglected your flower for some time, slowly give it something to drink. Within a few hours, you should see the greenery begin to perk up.

Peace lilies typically have dark green leaves. Though with dozens of varieties out there, some are variegated with hues of silver, white, green, and cream. Certain types may have light green or white foliage. Occasionally, leaves can even transform over time. However, if the texture as well as the color changes, there is likely a problem.

Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites are common peace lily enemies. If white blotches, dust, or fuzz develop, there's a good chance you have an insect infestation. Wiping the leaves off or using insecticide can help, but if the colony is large, you may want to get rid of the plant to avoid contaminating other houseplants.

A peace lily's bracts, or flowers, may sometimes begin green. Once they mature, they turn white. When they're ready to die off, they might turn green again. If your bracts are consistently green, though, this is a classic sign of too much light. Move your plant to an area with less intense, more indirect sunlight.

Some peace lilies regularly flower. Others have a certain timeframe for sprouting bracts. If you've had your plant for a while and you've yet to see any buds, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.

A lot of peace lilies can survive in shade or low-light areas, but they won't produce flowers. As pretty as the foliage is, relocating your plant to a place with higher amounts of indirect light should spur bracts to bloom. Adding a bit of fertilizer can't hurt, either. And if your peace lily hasn't been transplanted in a couple years, consider upgrading its home.

The natural plant cycle entails flowers blooming and dying off. You should expect this with your peace lily. If your bracts seems to be dropping at a high rate though, this could be more than simple growth ebb and flow.

Flowers require a lot more nutrients than foliage, so if your plant gets stressed — ultimately if it's worried it may die — it may try to prolong its life by ditching the flowers. Peace lilies prefer stagnation, so moving or transplanting them could take a readjustment period. Let your plant focus on getting acclimated to its new environment for a few weeks, then it should be okay.

Lack of proper fertilization will cause stunted growth in peace lilies. They don't require an exceptional amount of soil additives, but every so often, they need an extra bit of food. Using a fertilizer containing magnesium sulfate works well. Even diluting Epsom salts in water should get your peace lily back on track.