Question
I have a smallish spath, about 8-12" tall in a plastic pot around 7". It sits maybe 6' from a east window. There's a white fungus growing around the plant in the soil.  The same fungus is also visible through the water holes around the bottom of the pot.  The plant itself looks okay, some brown leaf edges which it gets pretty often. Is it beyond saving?

Answer
Hi Cynthia,

If the white stuff is hard and crusty , then it is mineral deposits that have built up in the soil. In that case, scrape it off and use distilled or filtered water to water your peace lily.

If the white stuff is soft and squishy, then it is a type of fungus mold. If it is showing up at the bottom of the pot, then that tells me you probably repotted the plant and used a soil that was contaminated with fungus spores. In that case, you should remove the soil that you added to the bottom of the pot and around the sides and on top. Your peace lily probably did not need to be repotted anyway, so just put it back into its original pot without adding any new soil.

If you did not repot and add soil, then the problem is more complex. It means the fungus roots have spread throughout the rootball. If so, then you will have to purchase a chemical fungicide and use it to drench the soil.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
           
Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC