Question
QUESTION: Hi Darlene,

I recently purchased a 1.91 gal. Peace Lilly from from Lowes's.  It says on the sticker that it is from Costa Farms.  I have only had this plant a little over 2 months and I am noticing many brown, crumbly leaves.  There were several white flowers ready to bloom when I purchased it, but within a few weeks, they too turned brown.  I didn't have it placed in a sunny spot in my dining room.  I heard they require indirect sunlight.  Could it have been too dark?  How do I get it back to the way it was when I bought it?  I have had other peace lilies before and never had all these brown leaves.  Am I doing something wrong?  I have not added any fertilizer to this plant.  Thanks for your help!

Beth


ANSWER: Beth,

How often do you water this plant? How much light is it getting? Could your hand make a shadow where it was sitting? Let me know and I will tell you what you can do to help it. It can come back but it will take a little time. If you take the time to bring it back to health you will be a peace lilly expert.

Darlene
[email protected]

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I give it a good watering about once a week or when I notice the leaves drooping.  I thought it was getting enough light in my dining room.  But no, I do not see my hand shadow.  I previously had it in my livingroom close to the window where it could get light.  But the leaves started to turn brown around the edges and I thought it was getting too much light so I moved it to my dining room.  There are new leaves forming in the middle of the plant, but the rest of the plant looks pretty sad.  I am determined to bring it back to the beautiful plant it once was.  Do you think I need a bigger pot?

Answer
Beth,

It absolutely does NOT need a bigger pot, this plant likes to be somewhat rootbound. The brown edges are happening because you are overwatering it. Move it back to where it will get brighter light and let it dry out more between waterings. Pick it up before you water it to see how heavy it is. Do not water it unless it feels light weight. I suspect if you pick it up right now it will feel very heavy. The leaves are drooping because the excess water has caused some of the roots to rot so they are not soaking up water well and the plant gets droopy quickly. This plant needs dry periods between waterings so the roots can breath in carbon dioxide through the soil. If it is constantly moist or wet it doesn't get this and the roots rot. That is what has happened to your plant. You need to not water until the plant has been dry and felt light weight for at least 3 days. The leaves that are looking sad right now may die and you should cut them off but the young new leaves will be fine. Gradually they may be all that is left but they will continue to grow and fill the pot and the plant will come back. Just do not water until it has been dry and felt light weight for at least 3 days. In April start fertilizing with a water soluable fertilizer like Miracle Grow and give it 2 teaspoons of Epsom Salts sprinkled on top of the soil before you water it. That is magnesium sulfate and it will help the plant bloom sooner. By this time next year it will be beautiful again. Good luck.

Darlene