Why Is My Peace Lily Drooping? 6 Common Causes of a Sad Spathiphyllum & How to Fix Them Fast
If you're wondering, "Why is my peace lily drooping?" it's time get to the root cause. Here are the top reasons why this happens and how you can solve them.
Laura Walters
Is your peace lily drooping suddenly? This common issue can send plant parents into a panic. Peace lilies are generally easy to grow and beautiful – that's why they're beloved by so many.
However, when a problem like wilting occurs, it's time to look back at some peace lily care basics to make sure your plant is getting what it needs. Many issues manifest first as drooping or wilting. If you see that your peace lily is drooping it is undoubtedly a cause for concern, but some instances may be more serious than others.
I'll walk you through the most common causes of a drooping peace lily and how to solve each one. Just follow these expert tips below and your plant will perk up and be blooming again in no time!
Article continues belowWhy Is My Peace Lily Drooping?
There are a few potential reasons why your peace lily is drooping. Houseplant problems like this typically fall into a handful of different categories: cultural issues, environmental problems, pests, and diseases.
I'll break down each of the most common causes, including problems in each of those categories, and give you some easy fixes to help perk up your plant.
1. You're Watering It Wrong
Improper watering is the leading cause of drooping peace lily leaves. Though it’s considered good practice to allow the container to dry slightly between waterings, excessively dry soils can cause your plant to wilt quickly.
The same can also be said for overwatering, in which oversaturated containers lead to a rapid decline in your plant’s health. If you think overwatering is the cause of your concerns, then hold off on watering until your peace lily has a chance to dry out. If it's extremely saturated, it may be time to repot your peace lily into fresh, dryer soil.
To prevent future wilting due to improper watering, invest in a moisture meter, like this one from Amazon, to make sure your peace lily is getting exactly the amount of water it needs.
2. It Has a Pest Infestation
The presence of pests only rarely results in wilting peace lily plants. However, this may occur when the infestation becomes severe. The most common indoor pests include mealybugs and scale.
You can help prevent losing your plant to these nuisance insects by routinely checking plants for changes in appearance and monitoring their foliage closely. Once pests have become established, use insecticidal soap, which you can get on Amazon, to clear your peace lilies of harmful insects.
3. It's Diseased
Root rot and stem rot are among the most frequent causes of wilting in peace lilies. Rot as well as other fungal infections are common peace lily diseases and are likely to occur with consistent overwatering or in soils that drain poorly.
Prevention is important since affected plants are unlikely to recover. When planting, always make certain that pots and containers drain well, allowing water to move freely. As a general rule, you should water peace lilies only when the surface of the soil has dried.
To check for root rot, remove your peace lily from its container and take a look at the roots. If they're dark and mushy, then they may be rotted. Use a sharp, clean pair of pruners, like these ones from Fiskars, to cut away any rotted roots. Then repot your peace lily in fresh soil and a clean pot to prevent further contamination.
4. It's Not Getting Enough Light
Peace lily plants are known for their ability to flourish in low-light conditions. However, inadequate light can lead to an overall loss of vigor. This includes a drooping or a wilted appearance.
Check to see if your houseplant is getting enough light by using a simple shadow test or a light meter, which you can get on Amazon.
Sudden changes in temperature or humidity can cause wilting as well. Since peace lily plants are quite tender, dips below approximately 60°F (15°C) may result in damage, causing plants to wilt.
5. It Needs More Nutrients
Fertilizing peace lilies regularly helps keep them looking their best. Though yellowing leaves is the first sign that there may be a nutrient deficiency within your plant's soil, drooping may also occur.
Use a balanced, liquid feed that has been specifically formulated for houseplants, like this Espoma indoor plant food from Amazon. Fertilizers should be used only according to the manufacturer’s labeled instructions. This helps to prevent overfeeding, which can often result in further damage to plants.
6. It's Root-Bound
Drooping peace lily flowers often happen when plants have become root-bound. Root-bound plants are likely to dry more quickly between waterings. They will often show roots that begin to emerge from the top or drainage holes of containers. To maintain the plant’s health when this happens, repotting will be necessary.
Before beginning the peace lily repotting process, water each plant well and allow it to rest for several hours to ensure it's well-hydrated. Then remove the plant from its container with the root ball intact.
Loosen and tease free any circling roots. Then replant peace lilies in pots that are at least one size larger and filled with a quality growing medium, like this Miracle-Gro potting mix for houseplants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Droopy Peace Lily Recover?
Drooping in peace lily plants is most commonly caused by cultural conditions. In these cases, the plants are likely to recover, provided that their conditions for growth have improved. Should you discover that your plants have wilted, look at factors like temperature, light, soil nutrient levels, and water to determine the cause and solve it.
When Is it Too Late to Save a Peace Lily?
In more serious instances of wilting, peace lily plants may be difficult to save. This is especially true of plants that have been affected by disease or large numbers of pests. Still, as a caring houseplant parent, you can attempt to preserve your favorite plants by quickly diagnosing the problem and determining the best course of treatment to move forward.
Are Certain Peace Lilies More Sensitive?
Though most varieties of peace lily behave similarly, you may find minor differences between types. Considering the varying characteristics of each cultivar is key in determining which will grow best in your own home. In general, mature plants are likely to be much more resilient. New plantings or those that are smaller require special attention throughout their period of establishment to prevent wilting.
