A common problem is that the tips of peace lily plants turn brown. This is easy to fix if you know what’s going on. Make it happy by adjusting your care.
Peace lilies are one of the most popular houseplants. Their lush green leaves and graceful white flowers can brighten up any indoor space. However, you may notice your peace lily’s leaf tips turning dry and brown. This unsightly problem is usually caused by improper care.
In this article, I’ll explain the common causes of dry leaf tips in peace lilies and give you tips to fix them With a few adjustments to your care routine, you can get your peace lily thriving again!
What Causes Dry Leaf Tips in Peace Lilies?
Dry brown leaf tips are generally caused by cultural problems, not disease. Here are some of the most common factors that can lead to this issue
Underwatering
Peace lilies need consistently moist soil. If you let the soil dry out too much between waterings, the plant can’t uptake enough moisture through its roots. This causes the leaves to dry out, especially at the tips and margins
To prevent underwatering, check the soil daily by sticking your finger in the top few inches. Water thoroughly whenever it feels dry. Peace lilies prefer soil that is kept damp, but not soggy.
Overwatering
While peace lilies need moist soil, too much water can also cause problems. If the soil stays soggy for too long, it deprives the roots of oxygen. This damages the roots so they can’t take up water properly. As a result, the leaves dry out and turn brown.
Only water when the top inch of soil has dried out. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and that excess water can flow out the bottom after watering.
Fluoride in Water
If your water contains fluoride or chlorine, it can build up in the leaves over time. This causes the tips to turn brown and crispy looking.
Use distilled or filtered water for your peace lily. Collecting rainwater is another great option. This removes chemicals so they don’t damage the sensitive leaves.
Low Humidity
Peace lilies thrive in humidity levels between 40-60%. In dry indoor air, the leaf tips are prone to browning since moisture evaporates from the leaves faster than the roots can absorb it.
Boost humidity by misting the leaves several times per week or placing the pot on a pebble tray. You can also cluster peace lily plants together so they benefit from each other’s transpiration.
Exposure to Cold Drafts
Sudden temperature changes and cold drafts can shock peace lilies. This causes drying along the leaf margins and tips.
Avoid placing peace lilies near AC vents, open windows, or doors leading outside. Keep them in a stable environment between 65-80°F.
Excess Fertilizer
Too much fertilizer can burn the tender leaf tips of peace lilies. Only feed every 2-3 months during the active growing season. Use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer at 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended strength.
If you notice fertilizer burn, flush the soil by watering thoroughly with plain water several times to dissolve excess salts.
How to Fix Dry Leaf Tips on Peace Lilies
If your peace lily is suffering from dry brown tips, make a few tweaks to your care routine. Here are some tips to get your plant back to health:
-
Check soil moisture daily and only water when the top inch is dry. Water deeply until it runs out the drainage holes.
-
Switch to distilled, filtered, or rainwater if your tap water contains fluoride or chlorine.
-
Prune off any severely damaged leaves to improve the plant’s appearance. Use sterilized scissors to make clean cuts.
-
Move the peace lily to a spot with 40-60% humidity, out of cold drafts. Group plants together to boost humidity.
-
Leach excess fertilizer by watering thoroughly with plain water several times. Then resume fertilizing at a reduced strength every 2-3 months.
-
Monitor for pests like spider mites that can also cause dry leaf damage. Treat any infestations promptly.
-
Consider repotting in fresh potting mix if the soil seems dense or nutrient-deficient.
With a little detective work and adjusted care, you should see new leaves emerge without brown tips. Pay close attention to your plant’s needs and you can enjoy your peace lily for many years to come! Let those luscious green leaves and elegant blooms brighten your home once more.
Common Causes of Brown Tips on Peace Lilies
Many people think of peace lilies as houseplants, but they can also be grown outside in the garden in USDA zones 11 and 12, which are the warmest plant hardiness zones. It is noteworthy that very few yard-planted peace lilies develop brown-tipped leaves. When the tips of a peace lily plant turn brown, it usually means that it was grown in a pot that was kept inside or at least spent the winter inside.
Improper cultural care is generally the reason that peace lilies get brown tips on their leaves. The most common cultural care issues in this regard involve water or fertilizer. Peace lilies do not like excess water, and overwatering can result in browning of leaf tips. In addition, if you water with tap water, the plants may react badly. Peace lilies are very sensitive to fluoride in water or any type of water softener.
Among those factors that lead to abiotic disorders in houseplants, excess fertilizer ranks high on the list. “If a little is good, more is better” is not a good way to think about fertilizing plants, especially ones that are grown inside. Most houseplants don’t make much or any new growth in the winter because the days are short and there isn’t much light. Attempting to encourage new growth by applying fertilizer is counterproductive.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Now is the time to sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter and get our most popular eBook, “How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes,” for free. “Please send me news and deals from other Future brands. I also agree to receive emails from us on behalf of our sponsors and trusted partners.”
Finally, excess fertilizer can cause browning leaves in peace lilies. When you fertilize plants, the plants take in the fertilizer salts and store them along the edges and tips of their leaves. This can cause fertilizer burn, leading to marginal or tip necrosis.
How to Stop Your Peace Lily Getting Brown Tips
How do you care for a peace lily?
Water the peace lily with a generous soak when the surface of the soil feels dry. Watering thoroughly ensures that the water infiltrates the soil and reaches the roots where it is required to alleviate the stress that is causing the leaves to droop and the tips to turn brown.
What should I do if my peace lily leaves have brown tips?
When you notice that your peace lily leaves have brown tips, consider your cultural care. If you are watering with tap water, consider gathering rain water in a bucket outdoors and using this to water sensitive plants. If you have been fertilizing your plant, take action to get the salts from the leaves and container.
Do peace lilies need a lot of humidity?
Peace lilies are tropical plants and need around 50% atmospheric humidity or higher. When the air is too dry, the leaves dry out They turn brown at the tips, and often the leaves will develop a crispy edge, too. You can improve the humidity around your Spathiphyllum by grouping it with other humidity-loving plants.
Does soil moisture affect peace lily leaves?
Erratic soil moisture affects peace lily leaves even after you give your peace lily a drink. It shows first in slow growth, but this is easy to miss in a plant like a peace lily. More obvious are the brown tips and edges that show when they are water stressed. To prevent this, water your plant more regularly.