Peace lilies can be a little picky. While they’re not all that difficult to grow they do need the right conditions to really do well and be at their best.
And one issue you can face is your peace lilies leaves turning brown. But don’t worry, it’s actually fairly common.
So let’s take a look at the main reasons why your peace lilies leaves might be turning brown and how to fix them.
1. Inconsistent Watering
Why It Happens:
This is the most common reason for brown peace lily leaves. They are affected by both over and underwatering.
When they’re underwatered the leaves lack don’t get enough moisture to maintain their structure and color, and so you get those brown and crispy tips.
With overwatering the roots get
suffocated which stops them from absorbing water and nutrients. This also cause the leaves to turn brown.
What You Can Do:
Feel the soil. If it feels dry through the top inch then you can be confident it’s time to water your peace lily. If it’s damp give it a few more days but watering.
How to Fix:
Get used to watering regularly. Peace lilies do well when they’re watered once a week but this can vary depending on your conditions and the environment your live in.
Always check the soil before watering and make sure the pot has a good number of drainage holes so the water doesn’t sit at the bottom.
2. Low Humidity
Why It Happens:
As peace lilies are naturally tropical plants and from the rainforests it means they like humidity. This is something most of our homes are lacking. Especially in the winter when the heating systems we use dries out the air.
What You Can Do:
Improving the moisture is the best way. Try grouping any plants you have together as they will increase the humanity between them. Or you can use a humidifier, which works well too.
How to Fix:
Try misting your peace lily or make a diy humidity tray. You should also be wiping the leave with a damp cloth. It will clean them and also increase the humidity.
3. Direct Sunlight Exposure
Why It Happens:
Peace lilies like the light a lot but to much and they’ll struggle. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves which will give them brown patches.
What You Can Do:
Put your peace Lily in a spot where it only gets moderate and indirect light. A sheer curtain works to diffuse turn right light really well.
How to Fix:
If your peace lily has already been affected by too much light then trim the damaged parts. This will let the plant refocus its energy on growing healthy leaves.
When you move your leave lily do it slowly because a new spot and shock and stress it.
4. Nutrient Deficiency or Excess
Why It Happens:
Not enough nutrients can cause the leaves to brown. Not using enough fertilizer and it won’t be able to keep its leaves looking healthy. Give it too much and the leaves will brown and the roots burn.
What You Can Do:
Fertilize sparingly – once every 6 weeks during the growing season should be enough. Make sure you’re using a balanced ferilizer and that you’re diluting it to about half strength.
How to Fix:
If you’ve over fertilized then you can try leaching the soil. This is simple – just run water through the pot for a few minutes. It should flush out the excess salts that will damage your peace lily.
You should also stop fertilizing for a few months after this as well. It gives your plant the chance to fully recover.
5. Pest Infestations
Why It Happens:
Peace Lilies do attract pests like aphids, spider mites and mealybugs. They will feed in the sap from the plant and this weakens it over time. The result is brown spots on the leaves.
What You Can Do:
Keep a regular check on your peace lily for any signs of pests. Look at the undersides of the leaves especially and where they meet the stem.
How to Fix:
You want to get in early and treat the infestations quickly. Use things like neem oil or insecticidal soap. And take the affected plants away from healthy ones so you the pests can’t spread.
6. Temperature Stress
Why It Happens:
The temperature fluctuating can have a real impact on your peace lily. They get stressed if the temperature varies a lot. Also if the temperatures reach extremes at either end – hot or cold.
What peace lilies really like is the temperature between 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C).
What You Can Do:
Keep your peace lily away from air conditions vents, drafty areas and heat source. To avoid the plant getting shocked you should gradually acclimatize them to any new environments.
How to Fix:
If your peace lily has been stressed by an extreme temperature then you should make the temperature stable first. Once you’ve done that you then need to keep it consistent for it to recover.
7. Old Age
Why It Happens:
The leaves turning brown can simply be a sign of your peace lily getting older. As they age naturally the leaves will turn brown and die as part of its life cycle.
What You Can Do:
Prune any old leaves as it will help with nee growth. It makes it look fresh and healthy but also stimulates new leaves to grow.
How to Fix:
Regularly pruning dead or dying leaves makes your plant look better and keep it healthy. Just cut the leaves at their base near the soil.
Final Thoughts
Keeping a peace lily happy is all about paying attention to it and being able to react quickly when you see it in trouble or unhappy.
Every plant is unique though so watch yours closely and see how it responds to anything you change. Experience is key when it comes to caring for your plants and you’ll only get that through trying and seeing what works and what doesn’t.