Question
I HAVE A BIG PEACE LILLY FROM MY BROTHER'S FUNERAL. IT IS 1 1/2 YRS OLD. HAS BEEN DOING FINE. I WATERED IT,  AS WAS TOLD. I HAD PUT MIRACLE GRO FERTILIZER ON ONCE BEFORE, AND ALL WAS FINE.

4 WEEKS AGO, I AGAIN PUT MIRICAL GRO FERTILIZER ON IT, AND THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED IT WAS DROOPING.  I WAITED A FEW DAYS, AND WATERED AGAIN.   EVERY DAY IT LOOKS WORSE.

VERY DROOPY, AS IF IT HAD NOT BEEN WATERED IN WEEKS.  IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS DYING.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IS WRONG? COULD I HAVE KILLED IT WITH THE FERTILIZER? COULD I HAVE MADE IT UP TOO STRONG?  I HAD 3 BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS THIS SUMMER, SO I THOUGHT ALL WAS OKAY.

ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

MEREDITH


Answer
Meredith,

You have overwatered it causing the roots to begin to rot and not be able to take up water. Remove the drain tray and set it in the bathtub to drain as quickly as possible. This plant should not  be watered until it is bone dry and feels light weight when picked up or tipped. It should absolutely never be in a pot without a drain hole. At this point without seeing it I can't tell you whether it will recuperate or it is too late. Allow it to totally dry out and give it time. It may regrow roots but it will take time. I recently did the same thing to my small peace lilly and was afraid I had killed it but I noticed yesterday that down below the droopy dead leaves it is sending up tiny new green leaves so it will survive but it will take time to fully regrow.  

The fertilizer did not cause the problem, to much water did. More plants are killed by too much water than by too little. Never give a droopy plant water without picking it up. If it is light weight it needs water, if it is heavy it does not, it has gotten too much.

Good luck,
Darlene