Peace Lily yellowing and seems to be dying
Plant Parent
I purchased the plant in late April and it generally had been well (I haven’t given it any nutrients yet). I watered it and went away for 10 days which is usually fine when I am home. Also it is winter here.
When I returned a week ago, to my horror all the leaves were drooping. I watered it and the plant perked up again the next morning, however, since then several of the leaves have been turning yellow and seem to be dying.
How do you determine WHEN to water? I wait for the soil to become completely dry.
Describe HOW you water: I fully soak the soil and let excess water drain away.
Light situation:
Fertilizer: I have not yet fertilized (3 months since plant was acquired).
Darryl
Thanks for submitting your photos and care details!
Environment
Your light situation looks great for your peace lily. I’m confident in how well the plant can grow here.
Effort
A peace lily should be watered when the soil is about halfway dry – not when it’s completely dry (or when the leaves are drooping). If you want your peace lily to continually grow new leaves at a rate that adequately replaces the older ones that yellow and die off (which is inevitable), then you will want to regularly use fertilizer. People will always think their plant “looks fine” for a while until it suddenly does not (a lot of yellowing all of a sudden). Regular use of fertilizer will ensure that leaves remain green ***as long as possible*** (not forever!)
My favorite fertilizers HERE
Expectations
As you care for the plant in the long term, older leaves will die off as new ones grow. New growth is encouraged by good light, which you have. Leaves remaining green for as long as possible comes from adequate nutrients in the soil – from fertilizer.
I have had my peace lily for over 10 years so you can trust me when I say that regular clean-ups are just part of the journey. Remove the leaves once they are fully yellowed and, as long as the plant has been growing new leaves, you won’t even remember the yellowed ones:
When you have good light and you’re watering/fertilizing accordingly, then you can accept leaf turnover – a yellowing leaf doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong!
If you find yourself worrying about every yellowed leaf and every brown tip, it’s time to take a more sensible approach to houseplant care:
- Read my books: ‘The New Plant Parent‘ and ‘The New Plant Collector‘
- Take my online course: Essentials of Houseplant Enjoyment
- More detailed houseplant Q&As
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I’ve always wanted my own house plant and finally got one. The only thing is I received it as a gift for my Mom who just passed away. I have one brown leaf that is dying. I watered her and I hope I didn’t put to much water because some of the water is still above the dirt. I’m scared I messed up. I don’t want to lose my plant.
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