Question
Hi there

I've recently inherited a peace lily, which doesn't seem to be doing too well.  It's leaves have turned pale yellow in the middle, and curl downwards.  New leaves that were growing have turned brown and withered.  I have recently moved it away from the window it was sitting in (because I thought it might be receiving too much sunlight).  I suspect I might have overwatered it when I first received it, but I did drain the saucer. Its last watering was around 6 days ago, and the soil still seems to be moist. There is also a flower growing - I hope this is a good sign?  

Mainly, I'm worried for it because of its appearance - are yellowing rather than green leaves, downward curling and brown tips a sign that it's not going to recover from the sunlight / water?

Thanks!

Answer
Kaylee,

Your peace lily can sit near an east or north window but no other windows. It will not do well if it is in too dark a location. If your hand will not make a shadow where it is now it is too dark, move it to a brighter location. Black leaves usually indicate too much water. Yellow leaves do frequently indicate too much sun. Moving it has probably solved th problem as long as you deidn't move it to too dark a location.

The flower growing is a good sign. As for watering, pick up some bamboo skewers that you would use for shish kabobs at the grocery store, the long ones. Insert one in the soil as far as it wil go, leave it for a few minutes, then pull it out. if it is wet more than 2 inches up do not water. If it is dry it is time to water immediately. After watering you can imediately put the skewer back in the soil and pull it out after about 5 days and start checking it daily until it is dry enough to need watered again. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene