Question
hi,

i got a peace lily a few months ago and after i had it about a month, all of a sudden the leaves started to turn yellow and wilt.  at first i didnt worry about it but when they started turning yellow overnight i didnt know what to do.  i noticed that there were some of these fruitfly looking things around my house and i thought that they were possibly attacking my plant so i bought some insect soap and sprayed it down.  the yellowing seems to have slowed, but there are still many leaves dying.  it was even sprouting up some new baby leaves, and those are starting to die.  i have noticed that some of the few larger leaves that are left have brown spots with yellow around them, and i assume they will eventually die too.  i have noticed that since it was sprayed, when the leaves turn yellow, usually the base of the leaf, next to the stem, turns yellow first, and it looks like yellow stripes in the veins of the leaves, and then the leaf eventually turns completely yellow.  

it was one of the larger varieties of peace lilies, and it is still in the original container that i got it in, and it sits next to a window, but recieves no direct sunlight.  i used to water it about once a week, never let it get droopy, and i thought that i was possibly watering it too much, but now im starting to think that is not the case.  

please help!  i got this at my grandfathers funeral and i am frantically trying to keep it alive!!!

thanks, lori

Answer
Hi Lori,

If peace lily leaves wilt when the soil is moist, then it is because of root disease, usually root rot. The presence of fungus gnats is a further indication that the roots are rotting. And when new leaves are affected, as well, then the roots are definitely in trouble.

Without seeing a photo of the plant, I cannot determine whether there is a chance to salvage your peace lily. All you can do is to let the soil dry out until the healthy leaves start to wilt before adding any water. In the interim, trim off any discolored leaves as they will never recover. Look for signs of new growth that comes in healthy and stays that way. That is an indication that your plant is recovering.  

Good luck and 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

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.