Question
My mom received a Peace Lily after the death of her brother.  The Lilly lost it's blooms shortly after she received it. The large leaves started to turn brown and she cut the stems and took them out.
Now the leaves have brown spots on them and the leaves are small. It is near an east window and just past the door.  Can you please help us save this plant as she will be hurt more if we lose it.  
Thank you.

Answer
Brenda,

She is overwatering it. Peace lillies like to be totally dry and very light weight before you water them again. In the summer I do not water mine more often than once every 7-10 days. In winter every 2-3 weeks, sometimes even 4.

All plants need alternating periods of wet then dry so roots can breath carbon dioxide through the soil. When you water plants you need to water them enough so all the soil in the pot gets moist so some roots are not left dry. Even when the surface of the soil feels dry in the root zone there may still be way too much moisture. You can dig down a few inches with your finger and see what I am saying or you can buy a moisture meter with a soil probe that will tell you when it is dry in the root zone. In most areas they cost about $10-15.00.

Now about peace lillies in particular. They like to be root bound and will produce more blooms if they are rootbound. If you want them to be healthy in your big pot then buy 2-3 plants to fill up the pot immediately. They will then use up the moisture and the roots will be able to breathe.It helps when repotting if you ad extra perlite to the soil mix so it drains well and never leave it sit with water in the drain tray. If it is too large to pour off use a turkey baster and suction it off. I never water my peace lilly more often than once a week during the summer with a fan blowing on it and during the winter when it is semi-dormant I only water every 2-3 weeks. These plants really like to dry out between waterings. Fertilize once a month according to the monthly package directions or weekly at 1/4 the monthly rate. Use a bloom building fertilizer with a higher middle #. As for sun, peace lillies love bright light but do not like the sun actually shining on their leaves, they burn easily. They are originally from the floor of the jungle in the tropics, the sun is bright and hot but little of it filters through to the peace lillies leaves. It is also humid in the jungle. A peace lilly will benefit from other plants sitting around it. If you set your plants in groups it raises the humidity in the air in that area. I hope these suggestions help.If you have more questions write again. Good luck.

Darlene