Question
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Followup To 'Spathiphyllum'
Question - Not sure they are lacking water, I have at times over watered, as some tips are brown. Will they ever stand up or should I give them more light ?


my giant spaphiphilium has leaves that are bending over, how do I get them to stand upright ?
Not sure how to spell it !
Answer -
Hi Barbara;
 
Do you mean that the leaves are bending from the stems like they are top heavy? (yes)

Spaths like a lot of water!  They will droop when they are thirsty.  They will come back when watered, but don't allow the plant to get that dry too often.  
A good hint, every other watering, put a bit of epsom salts into the water.  This will help retain some of the moisture in the soil and also help keep soil gnats from appearing.  
Please let me know if this is the plant you are talking about and if I can help you any further.
Good luck Barbara!
Leslie

Answer
Hi Barbara
Well, it is possible to overwater a spath.  How long have you had your plant?  
Overwatering can cause 'root rot'.  This is where there is more water than what the plant requires, so it sits in the roots and after awhile, they begin to rot. This will also cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown.  
There is also a disease that affects spaths called 'Cylindrocladium root rot'.  This will occur mainly in the summer months and will make the plant look wilted.  In my opinion, most people will water the plant even more when seeing the wilted leaves, thinking the plant is not getting enough water.  One of the causes of this disease is the plant sitting directly in a saucer with contaminated water. If possible, the plant should be somehow elevated from the saucer, such as an upside down smaller saucer in the larger saucer, then the plant sitting on the smaller saucer.  That way, the plant in not directly in the run off water.  
One thing you can try is removing the plant from the pot and setting it on a stack of newspapers to absorb the excess water.  Check the roots for any rot, the rotted roots will look reddish brown.  You can try to treat the plant with a product to control fungus.  Check with your local nursery to see what they suggest.
Again, good luck and let me know how it goes.    Spathiphyllums are one of my most favorite plants!
Leslie