Why Are My Peace Lily Blooms Turning Green?

As a proud peace lily owner, you likely look forward to those beautiful white blooms that emerge from the plant’s signature hood-like spathe. But then one day you notice some of those pristine blooms have taken on a greenish hue. What gives?

Don’t panic. It’s completely normal for peace lily blooms to turn green. In fact, it’s part of the natural life cycle of the plant. Here’s a look at why this happens and what it means for your plant.

The Peace Lily’s Blooming Habits

Peace lilies (or Spathiphyllum) are famous for their gorgeous white blooms that arise from a specialized leaf known as a spathe, This boat-shaped spathe unfurls to reveal a club-like spike covered in tiny white flowers known as a spadix

When new blooms first emerge, they will have a very pale green or even yellowish cast. Over the next couple of days, they will rapidly whiten The blooms will remain a crisp, bright white for 1-2 weeks in ideal conditions

Eventually, the blooms will start to fade, taking on a greenish, almost translucent appearance again. This color change signals that the blooms are past their prime. As the spathe ages further, it will turn brown and crispy before finally drying up and dropping off the plant.

• New blooms emerge pale green
• Blooms turn bright white
• Blooms fade to green
• Spathe turns brown
• Spathe dies and falls off

This natural color progression happens with every new spathe the peace lily produces.

Why Peace Lily Blooms Change Color

The color change in peace lily blooms is driven by chemical and structural changes within the flowers themselves.

When new blooms form, they contain chemicals called flavonoids. These flavonoids give the spathe a green or yellow-green hue.

As the blooms mature, the flavonoids break down and the flowers produce another compound called anthocyanin. Anthocyanin provides the bright white pigment.

During this peak flowering stage, the cells in the bloom are turgid and full of water. This water tension helps keep the flower upright and wide open.

As the blooms age past their prime, they start to lose turgidity. The cells become flaccid and waterlogged. The anthocyanin degrades and the remaining flavonoids once again influence color. Hence, the greenish fading blooms.

The spathe itself also undergoes structural changes as it ages. The cells lose rigidity and the once-upright spathe starts to bend and droop. The greenish blooms and wilting spathe signal that the structure is nearing the end of its lifecycle.

Is It Normal for Peace Lily Blooms to Be Green?

Based on the lifecycle described above, green blooms are a completely normal part of the peace lily’s development. Here are some scenarios when green blooms are to be expected:

• New blooms: Brand new blooms will look yellow-green as they emerge from the spathe. Give them a few days to whiten up.

• Old blooms: It’s natural for blooms to take on a greenish cast as they age and fade. The color change signals the blooms are past their best but still look alright.

• Blooms on an older spathe: An aging spathe that’s been open for over a week will likely have faded greenish blooms. Again, this is normal. Just remove the spent structure once it starts to brown.

• Blooms in low light: Blooms tend to green faster in low light conditions. But even in ideal light, some greening happens eventually.

As long as your peace lily is producing some nice white blooms between the aging green ones, you have nothing to worry about. Green is just part of the peace lily’s charm.

When Green Blooms Indicate a Problem

While natural greening of blooms is expected, if all the peace lily’s flowers stay green or the plant fails to produce white blooms, it could signal an underlying issue. Here are some potential problems that can cause abnormal green blooms:

• Insufficient Light: Peace lilies need bright, indirect light to produce their signature white blooms. Low light will often cause blooms to remain green or fade to green faster. If light is too dim, the plant won’t produce anthocyanins.

• Overwatering: Excess moisture can limit air circulation around blooms and lead to fungal issues. It can also dilute the anthocyanin pigment, causing greenish discoloration.

• Underfeeding: A nutrient deficiency, particularly low nitrogen, can prevent proper flower pigmentation. Fertilize lightly to encourage whiter blooms.

• Cool Temperatures: Blooms green faster in cooler conditions below 65°F (18°C). Keep your peace lily around 70-80°F (21-27°C) for best results.

• Old Plant: As peace lilies mature and become overcrowded, their blooming habits tend to decline. Rejuvenate old plants by dividing and repotting.

If tweaking care doesn’t coax out white blooms, the cultivar itself may just have poorer flowering genetics. Some hybrids like ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Domino’ are known for greener blooms.

Caring for Peace Lilies with Green Blooms

Green blooms or spathes don’t require any special care – follow standard practices for keeping peace lilies happy and healthy:

• Place in bright, indirect light to encourage white blooms. Avoid direct sun.

• Water thoroughly when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Don’t let plants sit in water.

• Mist frequently to keep humidity around 60-70%.

• Keep temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C).

• Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

• Remove spent green spathes by cutting at the base to keep plants looking tidy.

• Repot when overcrowded, typically every 2-3 years in spring.

With proper care, your peace lily will continue churning out gorgeous white blooms for you to enjoy! The occasional green faders just add character.

When to Worry About Peace Lily Care

While green blooms themselves aren’t worrisome, take note if you see any of the following issues. They could indicate improper growing conditions:

• Wilting, drooping leaves
• Brown leaf tips
• Yellow, stunted leaves
• Ring spots or mushy stems
• Failure to rebloom

Adjust watering, light, humidity, or fertilizer if you notice signs of stress. Rule out diseases and treat any pests promptly. With adjustments to care, your peace lily should start thriving again.

Enjoying Peace Lilies Despite the Green

The green phases are all part of owning a peace lily. Don’t let the color change alarm you or dampen your enjoyment of these easy-care, air-purifying beauties.

Focus on the pristine white blooms when they emerge and appreciate the green tinge as a signal to remove aging flowers. With proper care, your peace lily will happily bloom again and again, allowing you to overlook a few green faders along the way.