Club Benefits
The peace lily is a favorite houseplant, and for a good reason. Apart from its stunning leaves and elegant flowers, peace lilies have many benefits in the home. This multifaceted houseplant boosts humidity, acts as a mini air purifier and can reduce airborne mold spores. With so many benefits, it’s worth having one in every room.
For this reason, it’s worth taking care of your peace lily to ensure it stays in good health, so if you spot that your peace lily is drooping, it’s time to take action. I called on houseplant experts to find out what to do if you notice your peace lily is drooping and looking forlorn.
Claire Bishop, senior plant buyer at Dobbies, says, “Spathiphyllums, or peace lilies, are a popular choice thanks to their beautiful appearance and how low maintenance they are.” And adds, “They flourish in low light and are generally easy to care for, requiring water only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.”
However, if you notice that the plant’s leaves start to droop, it’s a sign that they need attention to bring them back to full health.
1. Your peace is thirsty
“If you notice your plant’s leaves starting to droop, it’s telling you that it needs a drink, and you can give it a mist throughout the warmer months to keep it hydrated,” advises Bishop. You can also check the soil to see if it is dry.
“Poke your finger gently into the soil to detect the water retention in the soil. If the dirt is dry, it's time to water your peace lily,” says Paula Ramirez, founder of Gardino Nursery and plant expert at Palmstreet. And she adds, “If the soil is also very dry and the plant feels light when you pick it up, a thorough watering should help.”
However, if the soil feels moist, she advises refraining from watering your peace lily for a day or two to avoid overwatering.
2. Overwatering roots
A drooping peace lily is also a sign that the plant has been overwatered. In this instance, Ramirez suggests waiting until the soil has dried out before watering again to avoid root rot.
“Make sure to place this beautiful plant in a bright location and create a regular watering routine going forward to prevent overwatered roots in the future,” and she recommends, “For optimal living conditions, water your peace lily once or twice a week during the warmer months, when it is thriving.”
However, she warns that sometimes adjusting the water schedule won’t work if your plant’s roots are rotten. If this is the case, she says, “Make sure to repot it in a new container with fresh potting soil and place the lily in a glass of water to reroot for one last effort!”
3. Low humidity
There’s a simple fix that will encourage your peace lily to thrive again. They love humidity, and Ramirez suggests misting the plants' leaves regularly. “You can also place a tray of water near the plant, or simply add a humidifier into the room,” she adds.
Alternatively, Bishop says changing its location may be all it needs, “A light-filled bathroom is a perfect spot for most peace lilies as they’ll thrive in the humidity.”
4. Low light
“Peace lilies love a bright, sunshine day!” says Ramirez. However, you do need to strike the right balance. “If they receive too much direct sunlight or are placed in a dark corner, their leaves can droop.”
To fix this issue, she suggests placing your peace lily in a room near a lightly shaded window with curtains, and adds that a kitchen or bathroom is perfect, as they are often humid too.
5. Poor soil
If your peace lily has the wrong soil or is simply overwatered, simply replace the soil! “Peace lilies thrive in a soil mix that has both drainage and water-retention properties,” advises Ramrez, “It should contain peat moss, lime, perlite, and sand, as they do great in partially sandy soils.” She suggests that if you buy a universal indoor plant potting mix, you can always add some extra sand to avoid waterlogging.
You may also find that your peace lily has outgrown its pot and that its roots have become restricted, meaning that it can’t take up sufficient nutrients and water, causing it to droop. If this is the case, repotting your plant to a larger pot will help revive your peace lily.
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