It’s disappointing when you see your peace lily leaves turn brown. But there’s no need to panic. Most of the time it’s something you can fix as long as you know how.
But you need to figure out the reason why your peace lily is becoming unhappy. Because brown leaves aren’t a good sign.
So in this guide I’ll take you through all the reasons why your peace lily might be struggling and how to help it back to health.
1. Inconsistent Watering
Getting the watering right for your peace lily is a balancing act. They can be sensitive and get upset if you aren’t watering them regularly. So you’ve got to get it right to keep them happy.
Overwatering
Peace lilies don’t like their roots sitting in soggy soil. If you overwater them you can suffocate the roots and this can lead to root rot. This can show up as the tips of the leaves turning brown and mushy.
Signs of Overwatering:
- Soil has a nasty smell.
- Leaves get a mix of brown and yellow spots.
- Roots look black and mushy.
Fix:
- Let the top of the soil dry out before you water your peace lily again.
- Always use a pot with drainage holes and make sure that there isn’t any water collecting in the saucer.
- If you’ve already root rot then take your peace lily out of its pot, trim the rotting roots and report it in fresh soil that drains well.
Underwatering
If you don’t water your peace lily enough it might dry out. This can lead to the edges of the leaves getting crispy and brown.
Signs of Underwatering:
- Drooping leaves that get dry and brown edges.
- The soil is pulling away at the edges of the pot is a big sign that it’s very dry.
Fix:
- Water well and make sure all the soil is damp. If water collects in the tray then empty it away.
- Keep a close eye on your peace lily to make sure it isn’t drying out. Water it when the top of the soil feels dry when you touch it.
2. Direct Sunlight Exposure
Peace lilies like the shade. If you put them in the direct sun they will get burnt and the leaves will get brown patches or look dull and lifeless.
How Light Affects Peace Lilies:
- Too much light: the leaves get brown spots and can curl.
- Too little light: stops growing and the leaves become yellow before they turn brown.
Fix:
- Put your peace lily somewhere it will get bright, indirect light. A north facing window is usually good but a few feet away from a very sunny window can also work if you’re careful.
- If you simply can’t give your peace lily enough natural light then use a grow light for around 8 to 10 hours a day.
3. Low Humidity Levels
As peace lilies come from the rainforests they like humidity. So if the air gets too dry the edges of the leaves can turn brown and crispy.
Ideal Humidity Range:
Humidity levels of 40 to 60% are perfect for peace lilies. Most homes, especially in winter, hover around 20 to 30% which is too dry.
Fix:
- Mist your peace lily leaves with water every few days.
- You can increase humidity amongst plants by grouping them together.
- Put your peace lily pot on array you’ve filled with pebbles and water. But make sure the base of the pot isn’t sitting in water.
- If none of these work and you’ve still got a lot of dry air then you might want to try a humidifier.
4. Temperature Swings
Peace lilies do best in temperatures that are consistent. 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C) is the best level. If the temperature fluctuates too much it can stress your peace lily and result in brown leaves.
Common Temperature Triggers:
- Drafts from windows or doors.
- Being too close to air conditioners or heating vents.
- A sudden drop in the temperature at night.
Fix:
- Keep your peace lily away from places that cause extreme heat or where there are drafts.
- If your plant is near a window then make sure the glass isn’t cold to the touch in the winter.
5. Over Fertilization
Too much fertilizer might be well intentioned but can do more harm than good. It can cause salt to build up in the soil which can burn the roots and lead to the tips of leaves becoming brown.
Signs of Over Fertilization:
- A white film on top of the soil.
- The tips of the leaves quickly becoming brown.
Fix:
- Flush the soil with water to get rid of any excess salt. Do this every month if you’re fertilizing regularly.
- Only feed once every 6 to 8 weeks during the spring and summer. Use a diluted and balanced fertilizer (20-20-20 or similar).
6. Poor Water Quality
Tap water can negatively affect peace lilies as it contains chemicals like chlorine and fluoride. They can build up and damage your plant over time.
Symptoms:
- Leaf tips turning brown and crispy.
- Slow growth and dull leaves.
Fix:
- Use distilled or rainwater whenever you can.
- If you have to use tap water then leave it o uncovered for 24 hours before water. This will let the chemicals evaporate.
7. Pests
Peace lilies aren’t all that susceptible to pests but they can still get infestations. The likes of spider mites, mealybugs and aphids feed on the leaves and cause brown spots and edges on the leaves.
Identifying Pests:
A sticky residue or a type of white cotton like substance that’s left behind on there leaves is a clear sign. Also look for tiny bugs – if you can see them then you’ve probably got an infestation.
Fix:
- Isolate the plant that’s affected so the pests can’t spread to others.
- Get rid of any visible pests by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth.
- Use insecticidal soap or neem oil and do so every week until the pests are gone.
8. Aging Leaves
Not all brown leaves are a sign of problems. Older leaves will naturally turn brown and yellow before they fall off and it’s just a part of the plants normal life cycle.
Fix:
- Trim any dead or dying leaves so the plant looks neat and tidy.
- Don’t worry about the older leaves. Instead try to put more focus on the healthy and newer growth.
Bonus Tips
To make sure your peace lily stays healthy follow these extra tips:
Soil Matters
Use a potting mix that drains well. The type of mix makes a difference so try something like regular potting soil and add some extra like perlite or peat.
Cleaning the Leaves
Dust on the leaves can block the sunlight and stop it from photosynthezising properly. So wipe the leaves every few weeks to keep them clean.
Repotting
Peace lilies actually like to be a little root bound. But if they become too overcrowded the roots may get stressed.
So repot your plant every 1 to 2 years. Move it in to a pot that’s around 1 to 2 inches bigger than the one it’s currently in.
Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Symptom | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatering | Yellow and brown leaves, mushy roots | Let the soil dry, repot it if it’s needed |
| Underwatering | Brown and crisp leaf edges | Water fully |
| Direct sunlight | Burnt brown patches | Move to indirect light |
| Low humidity | Dry, brown edges | Increase humidity |
| Fertilizer burn | Brown tips, crusty soil | Flush the soil and reduce feeding |
| Poor water quality | Brown tips | Use distilled or rainwater |
| Pests | Brown spots, sticky residue | Use insecticidal soap |
| Aging leaves | Yellow and brown older leaves | Trim the dead leaves |
Final Thoughts
Brown leaves on your peace lily aren’t the end of the world. Once you’ve worked out what it is your plant needs it should be relatively easy to change what you’re doing and bring it back to full health.
