Peace lilies are tough but also forgiving. It’s what makes them such great houseplants. But when they start to droop it’s a clear sign that something isn’t right.
It could be they need more water, are stressed, a problem with their environment or something else entirely. But if you want your perk your peace lily up again you’ll need to figure out where is causing the leaves to droop.
So use this guide to identify what the problem is as well as how to fix it and get your plant back to full health.
1. Underwatering
Peace lilies need a lot of moisture to see at healthy. If the soil dries out too much then you’ll see your peace lily start to droop.
This is one of the most common causes of drooping but also one of the easiest to fix.
How to Identify Underwatering
- Limp, droopy leaves: The whole plant looks lifeless and the leaves hang down instead of standing up.
- Dry soil: If the top inch or so of the soil is very dry then you know your peace lily needs watering.
- Crispy leaf edges: If it’s long term underwatering then that can cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown and crispy.
How to Fix It
- Rehydrate gradually: Slowly pour water over the soil until you see it running out of the holes in the pot. If the soil has become compacted then put the pot Ina basin of water for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Establish a routine: When the top of the soil is dry you should be watering. This might be every week but when it gets hotter or the humidity drops you’ll need to either do it more often or less.
Tip: Always check the soil before watering. When you’re trying to make up for having underwatered it’s easy to do too far the other and overdo it.
2. Overwatering
Too much water is just as much of a problem as too little. Peace lilies so not like the soil to get soggy. It will suffocate their roots and cause the plant to drop or even result in root rot.
Signs of Overwatering
- Drooping with wet soil: If the leaves are drooping but the soil is still damp it’s very likely you’ve overwatered it.
- Yellow leaves: When peace lilies are overwatered yellow leaves are common, especially the lower ones.
- Fungal growth: Mold on the surface of the soil or a nasty smell is a sign you may have fungus.
How to Fix It
- Drain excess water: If the water pools at the bottom of the pot get rid of it quickly.
- Let the soil dry: Let the top of the soil to dry out before to water again.
- Repot if necessary: If the roots are black or mushy take your peace lily out of
Its pot, trim the roots that are affected and repot it using fresh soil.
Quick Fix: Use a pot with drainage holes and never leave your peace lily sitting in water.
3. Too Much Sun
Peace lilies like the shade and lots of sunlight will cause them stress. Which can lead to discoloration and drooping leaves.
How to Spot Sunburn
- Drooping with crispy edges: The leaves can droop and get brown spots.
- Scorched appearance: Leaves will stop looking green and healthy and instead the color will fade and look pale.
How to Fix It
- Move to indirect light: Put your peace lily somewhere that gets bright and filtered. An easy facing window usually works well.
- Create shade: If you can’t move your plant then a sheer curtain can also work. Either that or moving the peace lily back away from the window by a few feet.
Extra Tip: Peace lilies can survive in low light but it will mean they don’t grow as fast. If you want your peace lily to do best then bright and indirect light is what it needs.
4. Temperature Shock
The temperature staying stable is what peace lilies really like. If the temperature drops suddenly it can cause the leaves to droop as it struggles to get used to the lower temperature.
Signs of Temperature Stress
- Wilting and curling leaves: If the leaves begin to curl up or wilt it is a sign things are too cold.
- Brown tips or edges: If the cold air is hitting the leaves it can make them dry out and turn brown.
How to Fix It
- Find a stable spot: Keep your peace lily away from air conditioners and windows or doors that get lots of drafts.
- Maintain temperatures: 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) is the best temperature for peace lilies. And don’t let it change suddenly.
5. Low Humidity
As peace lilies are naturally from rainforests it means they like humidity. So when they’re growing in our homes, especially during the winter, if there’s not enough moisture in the air it can cause drooping leaves.
Symptoms of Low Humidity
- Browning tips and edges: These are the first signs of dry air.
- General wilting: Your peace lily will look dehydrated even if you’ve watered it.
How to Fix It
- Increase humidity: You can use a humidifier to increase the humidity or put it on a tray filled with water and pebbles.
- Mist sparingly: Try misting the leaves once or twice a week as it will make it more like their natural environment.
- Group plants: If you have more than one plant then put them all together and they will increase the humidity amongst themselves.
Avoid This: Don’t over mist as the leaves being too wet can lead to fungus growing.
6. Nutrient Deficiency
Peace lilies don’t need a huge amount of feeding but if they don’t get the nutrients they need it will make their leaves droop.
Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiency
- Yellow leaves: Especially the older ones.
- Droopy and pale appearance: Your peace lily will look dull and lifeless.
- Reduced flowering: When your peace lily doesn’t get the nutrients it needs it will struggle to flower.
How to Fix It
- Feed regularly: Use a balanced fertilizer to feed your Lily once a month during the spring and summer. Dilute it to half strength though as otherwise you could end up over feeding your plant.
- Flush the soil: If you’ve used too much fertilizer then salts can build up in the soil. If you’re worried about that then flush the soil with water to clear it out.
7. Root Bound
As they grow peace lilies can get too big for their pots. The roots get crowded and then they can’t absorb the water and nutrients the plant needs which will cause it to droop.
Signs of Root Bound Plants
- Roots coming out of the drainage holes: This is a big sign your plant needs more space and a bigger pot.
- Soil dries out quickly: The water disappears as soon as you pour it.
- Reduced growth: Your peace lily isn’t growing well.
How to Fix It
- Repot with care: Use a pot that’s one size bigger than the current one. Repot it with fresh soil that drains well.
- Prune excess roots: If the roots are really compacted then trim them as it will help with getting newer ones to grow.
8. Pests
Pests like spider mites, mealybugs and scale can affect your peace lily and make it droop.
Signs of Infestation
- Sticky substance or webbing: Check the leaves and stems for any signs of pests.
- Deformed leaves: Pests can make the leaves grow weirdly and droop.
- Visible bugs: Look for tiny insects.
How to Fix It
- Isolate the plant: You want to stop the pests from spreading to any of your other plants.
- Clean thoroughly: Wipe the leaves with a cloth to clean them. You can also use an insecticidal soap.
- Neem oil treatment: Neem oil can stop pests and protect your peace lily from further outbreaks.
Quick Troubleshooting for Drooping Peace Lily
| Cause | Symptoms | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Underwatering | Limp leaves, dry soil | Water thoroughly and regularly |
| Overwatering | Drooping with wet soil, yellow leaves | Let the soil dry, improve drainage |
| Sunburn | Brown spots, burnt leaves | Move to indirect light |
| Temperature Shock | Curling leaves, brown edges | Keep in a stable and warm spot |
| Low Humidity | Brown tips, wilting | Increase the humidity by misting or using a humidifier |
| Nutrient Deficiency | Yellow, lack of growth | Fertilize with balanced plant food |
| Root Bound | Roots visible, soil dries quickly | Repot into a larger pot |
| Pest Infestation | Webbing, sticky residue, deformed leaves | Isolate plant and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
Final Thoughts
Peace lilies are fantastic indoor plants.
But even the toughest ones can struggle.
Drooping leaves are their way of showing you they have a proven. So keep an eye on your plant closely and quickly deal with whatever the issue is. Doing so will mean you can bring your peace lily back to health.
