Peace Lily Problem

11 years ago

I received this PL a year ago this month. I kept it at work and it was fine until November. Leaves were turning brown, some were becoming spotty. Even new leaves were getting brown edges immediately. I was concerned about what I compare to what ginger root looks like coming above the soil. You can see what I'm talking about in one of the pics. People told me to re-pot so i did. This plant lives in 69 degree whether in my house now. It gets watered about once a week and sits about 6 feet from windows with the blinds halfway open. It looks horrible and I want to get it back to looking how it did (the pic of it on my desk in my office) since I received it when my mom passed away. It has not improved since I brought it home from work about a month and a half ago. Also, I don't have a green thumb at all so I need all the help I can get.

Featured Answer

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

11 years ago

The plant multiplies via offsets that each produce a new crown, which functions in a fashion similar to a branch apex (growing branch tip) - all the new growth originates from the meristematic region of the crowns. You're looking at a dead crown - usually an indication of a fungal disease caused by the crown remaining soggy for extended periods - IOW, over-watering.

Many growers think that because this plant is found in situ in riparian (streamside/boggy) environments that it prefers lots of water in pots - it doesn't. Unless you have provided conditions that force its root structure to change so it can live under some form of aquaculture, it wants a soil that is uniformly damp or moist - never wet or soggy. Ideally, you'd be using a soil that allows you to water to beyond complete saturation, such that at least 15-20% of the volume of water you applied while watering exits the drain, carrying accumulating dissolved solids (salts from fertilizers and tapwater) with it; this, w/o you having to worry the soil will remain saturated so long the lack of O2 due to saturation impacts root function or vitality.

Almost undoubtedly, your symptoms are a manifestation of an ongoing issue with the state of your plants root health/function. That can be remedied in some part by learning how to deal with water-retentive soils (follow link) and watering correctly, but you'll gain the most traction by learning how to make or buy a soil that allows you to water correctly w/o the root health worries. W/o a soil you can water correctly, you'll always be competing with your soil for control over your plants' vitality.

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Comments (12)

MrBlubs
11 years ago
When you repotted did you remove all the previous soil? Also did you notice any problems with the roots?

Don't know what the nub is.... That's weird.

What way does the window face in the room?

Also, you say you watered once a week but do you check soil conditions before you water? Do you allow the plant to droop severely? At all?

Do you fertilize? And last but not least were there any major changes in the office environment during the months when it started to decline?
donna11033
Original Author
11 years ago
I always checked the soil conditions prior to watering. I've never allowed it to droop severely. Yes, I've fertilized but not over fertilized, and no, nothing changed at the office. I did completely change the soil as well. The roots were fine as well. I just can't seem to figure it out. There is a woman at the office that takes care of all of the plants in the general areas of our building. I even gave her my plant to see if she could bring it back to looking beautiful and she had no success either. All of the plant people in my office are stumped. The plant is in a room with south facing windows. It is the only place in my house I can keep it. It's on top of a hutch as I have cats and it's impossible for them to jump that high. I don't want them getting sick if they try to nibble on it As it is poisonous to animals.
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christine 5b
11 years ago
A better picture of that nub thing might help, I'm stumped as well. It seems your doing everything right.
donna11033
Original Author
11 years ago
Another pic closer. It's hard, not soft.
donna11033
Original Author
11 years ago
Sorry about it being sideway. I took it right side up. The site uploaded it sideways.
summersunlight
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Watering is definitely the hardest part about caring for a peace lily. If you don't water them enough they die from drought. If you water them too much they die from rot. Al's advice about watering and soils is solid.

The other thing to consider is light. Six feet away from a window seems a bit far. Would there be any way to allow it to get closer to an unobstructed window that is either East-facing (best of all) or north-facing (This assumes you live in the Northern Hemisphere) ? Southern and western windows can potentially be too hot and too intense (again, talking about the Northern Hemisphere), but having a plant too far away from a window can mean it is starved of the light it needs.
donna11033
Original Author
11 years ago
Unfortunately the window situation it's currently in is the only one I have. Also, unfortunately, I have no green thumb whatsoever. My mom is probably laughing her butt off at me in heaven because she had a green thumb like no other and is well aware of my black one. She could make everything beautiful and prosperous. I will have had this plant for one year on March 28th and I should probably be grateful that I've been able to keep it alive for a year.
Sans2014
11 years ago
Donna, how is your plant now?
Sherry Langevin
11 years ago
Al (tapla), I just recently started looking at gardenweb again, after a few year break. Without even looking at who was replying, I KNEW which answer was yours!!!!! LOL! Well, see you all later.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
I hope that's a GOOD thing. ;-)

Al
Sherry Langevin
11 years ago
I recognized your writing style, Al. (not a bad thing)