Peace lilies are low maintenance, beautiful and look wonderful in our homes. If you’ve got one you’re probably very proud of how it.
But when your peace lilies usually green leaves start turning yellow it can be worrying. But don’t get too worried – most of the time yellow leaves can be fixed.
So if you’re trying to figure out why your peace lily leaves are turning yellow and how to fix them then the following reasons and solutions will help you get the bottom of it.
1. Overwatering: The #1 Culprit
Overwatering is the most common reason peace lily leaves turn yellow. If their roots have to sit in wet soil they won’t be able to absorb oxygen properly and this can result in root rot. This, in turn, shows up as yellow leaves.
Signs of Overwatering
- Yellow leaves that begin at the base of the plant.
- Mushy, dark roots (if you check).
- A nasty smell coming from the soil.
How to Fix It
- Let the soil dry out before you water your leave peace lily again.
- If there is root rot then repot your peace lily in fresh soil.
- Wait to water until the top of the soil is dry.
- The pot your peace lily is in must have enough drained holes. If not move it to one that does.
Pro Tip:
When in doubt, err on the side of underwatering. Peace lilies will recover from the soil being too dry much quicker then they would do if their roots were soggy.
2. Underwatering
Underwatering can also be what’s causing your peace lilies yellow leaves. Without enough water the roots will become dehydrated and won’t be able to give the plant the nutrients and water it needs. And this will cause the leaves to turn yellow and possibly get brown tips too.
Signs of Underwatering
- Dry leaf edges that will feel crispy.
- Drooping leaves (that sometimes perk up after you’ve watered the plant).
How to Fix It
- Water your peace lily thoroughly. Make sure water gets to the entire ball of roots.
- Stick to a schedule whereby you’re watering regularly. Something like once a week will probably be enough although it will depend on the weather and environment.
- Don’t let the soil dry out completely between each time you water.
3. Wrong Lighting
Peace lilies like bright, indirect light. If they get too much sun then it can burn the leaves. But if they do t get enough light then they won’t photosynthesize properly which can also cause yellow leaves.
Signs of Lighting Problems
- Yellow leaves alongside brown tips (from too much light).
- Slow growth and pale leaves (from a lack of light).
How to Fix It
- Move your peace lily to somewhere that gets bright indirect light. A north or east facing window is usually perfect.
- If you can’t give your peace lily enough natural light then you can use a grow light to supplement it.
- Don’t put your peace lily near hot, sunny windows where direct sunlight will be hitting it for hours.
4. Low Humidity
Peace lilies are from the rainforest and so they’re naturally used to higher levels of humidity. We grow them indoors and often the conditions are much drier than they would like and this can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Signs of Low Humidity
- Yellow leaves that begin at the edges.
- Brown tips.
How to Increase Humidity
- Use a humidifier (the simplest way).
- Put the pot on a tray that’s fills with pebbles and water (but the pot shouldn’t be sitting directly in water).
- Use other plants to increase the humidity. So group if you have more then just your one peace lily keep them all together.
- Mist your peace lily regularly, especially during the seasons when it’s dry.
5. Temperature Stress
Peace lilies don’t like the temperature changing too much. A lot of hot air or cold drafts can stress them and lead to yellow leaves.
How to Maintain Ideal Temperatures
- Keep the temperature around your peace lily stable. The best temperature would be between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C).
- Don’t put it near windows or doors that are being opened regularly and so letting the cold air in.
- If you have to then provide some protection or shield your peace lily from any direct hot or cold air vents.
6. Nutrient Deficiencies
If your peace lily isn’t getting enough nutrients the older leaves can start to turn yellow and any newer growth won’t move on from being green.
Common Nutrient Deficiencies
| Nutrient | Signs of Deficiency |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen | Yellowing of older leaves, poor growth. |
| Iron | Yellowing between the veins of the leaf (interveinal chlorosis). |
| Magnesium | Yellow spots or mottling on older leaves. |
How to Fix It
- Give your plant a balanced fertilizer once a month or so during the growing season.
- If you think your peace lily is lacking a specific then use a fertilizer for that nutrient.
- Don’t over fertilize though as it can cause a build up of salt in the soil.
7. Water Quality
Chlorine and fluoride are often in tap water and peace lilies can be sensitive to them.
How to Improve Water Quality
- Use filtered, distilled or rain water.
- If you have to use tap water try to let it sit out for around 24 hour sad it will let the chemicals dissipate.
- Rainwater, as mentioned, is a good alternative and completely free. You can collect it for use with your plants.
8. Pests
Insects like spider mites, mealybugs and scale can affect peace lilies and cause the leaves to yellow.
Signs of Pests
- Yellow, speckled leaves.
- Sticky residue on the leaves.
- Seeing insects on the plant.
How to Eliminate Pests
- Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth (the manual method).
- Spray your peace lily with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Take the affected plant and isolate it from any other plants you have to stop the pests from spreading.
9. Being Root Bound
Peace lilies grow quickly and so their roots can easily outgrow their pot. This will stress the plant and one of the way that shows up is with yellow leaves.
How to Check
Take your peace lily out of its pot and look to see how tightly packed the roots are. If they’re circling the pot you know it’s a good time to move it to a larger one.
How to Repot
- Pick a pot that’s about 1 to 2 inches in diameter bigger than the current one.
- Make sure you’re using a potting mix that drains well.
- Help your peace lily to settle in to it’s nee home by watering it fully after you’ve repotted.
10. Natural Aging
Sometimes yellow leaves are just a natural process. Older leaves can turn yellow and die as the plant send its energy to new growth.
How to Manage Natural Aging
- Trim the yellow leaves so the plant overall looks better.
- Put your focus on keeping the peace lily as healthy as possible.
Final Thoughts
If you give your peace lily the right care it can do well for years. If you do notice yellow leaves then act quickly and you shouldn’t have any problems saving it.
Catching the problem early usually means it can solved without any issues and you’ll get to enjoy your peace lilies without any unsightly yellowing.