When they’re under some sort of stress peace lilies will sometimes show that stress by curling their leaves. If you’ve noticed this happening to your plant – don’t panic! It doesn’t look good but it’s usually something you can reverse once you know the cause.
So in this guide I’ll take you through 11 common reasons your peace lily’s leaves are curling. On top of that we’ll look at what you need to do to fix the leaves and get your peace lily back to health.
1. Inadequate Watering
A problem with watering is probably the most common reason for curled leaves.
Underwatering
If your peace lily isn’t getting enough water the leaves can curl inwards as a say to try and stop it from losing water.
Signs:
- Brittle and dry leaves.
- Soil that pulls away at the edges of the pot.
- The whole plant drooping.
Fix:
- Check Soil Moisture: The top of the soil shouldn’t be dry. If you put your finger in a short way down and it still feels dry then you can be confident it’s the right time to water.
- Water Thoroughly: Pour the water slowly until it begins to come out the bottom of the pot.
- Set a Routine: You should be watering your peace lily around once every week. But this will depend on the temperature and humidity of where your peace lily is.
Overwatering
If you give your peace lily too much water it can overwhelm the roots and cause them to rot. This can lead to yellow leaves that curl.
Signs:
- Curling leaves that are also turning yellow at the same time.
- A nasty smell coming from the soil.
- Mushy or black roots.
Fix:
- Improve Drainage: Make sure your pot has enough holes for the water to drain from.
- Repot If Necessary: If you think you might have root rot then take the plant out or it’s pot, trim the rotting roots and repot it in fresh soil.
- Adjust Watering: Water less often if need be. Check the soil to make sure it’s actually dry before you water.
2. Lighting Conditions
The right light is important for your peace lilies health. They don’t mind a little bit more light than is necessary but if they’re being subjected to real extremes it can stress them.
Too Much Sun
Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. This will leave them with brown and crispy edges, and make them curl.
Fix:
- Relocate: Put your peace lily in a spot that gets bright, indirect light. A north or east facing window is usually best.
- Use Curtains: If there’s no way to avoid the direct sun then use a sheer curtain between the plant and window to diffuse the light.
Too Little Light
Peace lilies don’t mind low light. But if it stays there for too long then the lack of light can cause weak and curling leaves.
Fix:
- Supplement with Grow Lights: If you can’t give your peace lily enough light then an LED grow light works well to give it a boost.
- Rotate Your Plant: If one side of your plant is getting more light than the other then you can rotate it every week as it will help to even up the growth.
3. Temperature Stress
If the temperature swings back and forth a lot it can stress your peace lily. They do best in temperatures between 68°F and 85°F.
Cold Stress
If they are exposed to the cold, from drafts that air conditioners or windows can cause, the leaves will curl.
Fix:
- Relocate: Keep your plant away from anywhere that has drafts, especially in the winter.
- Insulate the Pot: If your peace lily is near a window that gets lots of cold air then try standing it on a tray so it’s not in contact with the cold surface.
Heat Stress
Extreme heat can cause the leaves to curl inwards as a way to hold on to moisture.
Fix:
- Increase Humidity: Use a humidifier or mist your peace lily.
- Ventilate: If you’re putting your peace lily near a heat source make sure you’ve got good air flowing around it so it doesn’t get overheated.
4. Humidity Problems
Peace lilies love the humidity. The air indoors can be dry and this will also cause the leaves to turn curly (along with crispy brown edges).
Signs:
- Leaves curling as well as brown tips or edges.
- Soil that dries out quickly even when you are watering regularly.
Fix:
- Mist Regularly: Use distilled water when you’re misting the plant. Make sure you aren’t misting the flowers themselves though.
- Pebble Tray: Put your peace lily on a tray that’s filled with water and pebbles. When the water evaporates it will increase the humidity.
- Use a Humidifier: This is probably the best way in the long term to keep the humidity levels high and consistent.
5. Water Quality Issues
Tap water often has chemicals like chlorine and fluoride in it. And peace lilies can be sensitive to them.
Over time these chemicals can build up in the soil and cause the leaves to curl.
Fix:
- Switch to Filtered Water: Use distilled or filtered water. Alternatively you can collect rainwater and use that too.
- Let Tap Water Sit Out: If you have to use tap water then let it sit out for 24 hours as the chlorine will evaporate if you do.
6. Nutrient Deficiency
You should be feeding your peace lily a little although not overdoing it. If they have a lack of nutrients, especially nitrogen, it can cause the leaves to curl and turn yellow.
Fix:
- Use a Balanced Fertilizer: Feed your peace lily with a fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks throughout the growing season.
- Avoid Over-Fertilizing: If you give it too much fertilizer it can burn the roots and worsen the problem. So dilute the fertilizer to about half the recommended strength before using it.
7. Pests
Tiny pests like spider mites, aphids and mealybugs can cause the leaves to curl because they weaken the plant.
Signs:
- A webbing or sticky substance found on the leaves.
- Being able to see pests or small holes in the leaves.
Fix:
- Manual Removal: Wipe the leaves with a cloth to get rid of the pests.
- Neem Oil Spray: Mix water and neem oil and put that on the leaves every week until the pests are gone.
- Isolate the Plant: Keep your affected peace lily away from any of your other plants so you don’t spread the pests.
8. Being Root Bound
If your peace lily has got too big for it’s pot then the roots may be crowded and can’t absorb the nutrients and water it needs.
Fix:
- Check the Roots: If the roots are too crowded or poking out of the drainage holes then you know you should be repotting it.
- Choose the Right Pot: Use a pot that’s about 1-2 inches wider than the one it’s currently in.
- Loosen the Roots: When you’re repotting your peace lily untangle the roots as best as you can (and be careful not to do any extra damage).
9. Soil Compaction
When the soil is compacted it can’t stop the air from flowing properly as well as the water from draining. This will lead to curled leaves.
Fix:
- Aerate the Soil: Use something like a chopstick to loosen the top layer of soil.
- Repot with Fresh Mix: Use a good quality potting mix. Make sure it has something like coarse sand or perlite as part of it as this will make it drain better.
10. Transplant Shock
When you repot your peace lily or can cause temporary stress and this makes the leaves curl.
Fix:
- Be Gentle: As you repot handle the roots with a lot of care.
- Water Thoroughly: Once you’ve repotted it, water your peace lily well so it can settle into its new pot.
- Give It Time: Put it somewhere that won’t get disturbed and let it recover.
11. Natural Aging
Curling isn’t always a sign there’s a problem. Older leaves just turn yellow and curl as they die off.
Fix:
Prune Regularly: Just remove the ageing leaves when they need to be. It will make the plant look neater and help with new growth.
Final Thoughts
The good thing about peace lilies is how forgiving they are. But you still have to give them the right care.
Once you understand the causes behind the curling leaves and change up what you’re doing to fix it you will see it improve and begin to get its health back.
