Question
Hi Will,

I am hoping you can help me with my peace lily problem:

I have had my peace lily for about 13 years now and it grew well for most of those years and had grown so well that I split it a few times into plants that I gave to family. Now, I have one plant with three stalks in a pot and lately it has started to thin out and produce less leaves. The leaves keep coming, buy they are a bit wimpy looking now. I knew something was wrong, so I took a look at the root system, only to find that one of the stalks has one very long, but very thin root and no other roots. The other two stalks (which may be two parts of the same plant) appear to have a much thicker, but still possibly singular root extending straight down into the pot. I dug into the soil but was not able to get to the wispy root ends as quickly as with the first stalk, so I decided to leave it alone until I am sure what I should do.

I am thinking that I need to cut the sides non-producing sides and bottom of the first one for sure, and maybe the others, depending on what I see when I take them completely out of the pot. I read somewhere that spring is the best time to do this, but I don't think it will last until spring without some intervention.

I am also thinking the lighting conditions in my home may be a problem. The plant has been all over the country with me, but now I live in a condo with an inside-facing window, so there is no real sunlight coming in here. I know they like indirect light, but I doubt my energy saving bulbs are bright enough to give my plant the kind of light she needs to flourish, so I am thinking of taking her to a friend's house until I move.

Please give me your opinion on pruning the root, as well as any helpful instructions you may have. What do you think about doing this now, since it is not spring? How do I prune the roots without totally killing my plant? Do you think the better lighted venue would do her some good?

Thank you,
Lora

Answer
Hi Lora,

Thanks for the detailed information.

The roots that you described are extremely sparse. A healthy peace lily will have many thick roots and many more fine root hairs growing off of those. It is the fine roots and root hairs that do  most of the work. It appears that your plant's roots are so spare as to be almost non-functional at this point.

Why did this happen? Inadequate light and keeping the soil too moist are the most common reasons, although 13 years is quite old for a peace lily. Very bright fluorescent lights left on for 8+ hours per day will provide adequate light. Incandescent bulbs are of very little value to a plant.

Peace lilies are tropical and can be pruned or repotted at any time of year. Root pruning in this case is not called for.

Although I believe your plant cannot be saved, if you want to try, I suggest the following. Take it out of its pot and remove most of the soil, but do not wash the roots. Put the plant back into the SMALLEST pot that the roots and barely enough soil to cover them will fit into. The small pot and limited soil will help the roots dry out a little more frequently and may prevent further root rot. You will also have to move it to a location where it gets good bright indirect natural sunlight, such as a north windowsill.

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

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC