Why Your Peace Lily Plant's Tips Are Turning Brown (And How To Rescue It)

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum species) are the perfect indoor plants. They are hardy, easy to grow, have attractive foliage, and flowers for years. In fact, it is one of the few foliage plants that will even flower in low light. Peace lilies can also boost productivity and improve your mood. However, you could say goodbye to that positive state of mind when you notice your plant's tips turning brown. This is a warning sign that your peace lilies are under water stress, and often, overwatering is the culprit, especially for indoor plants. 

When the soil is saturated too long, water fills up the tiny spaces between its particles. This makes it difficult for the roots to breathe, so they break down and decay. And once the roots are damaged, plants act as if they are not getting any water, even if they are receiving too much. This leads to dehydration, which causes the leaves to turn brown, starting with the tips. So, how do you fix it? Well, cool it with the hydration and follow these tips to reverse an overwatered plant.

When trying to revive an overwatered peace lily plant, let the soil dry so air can reach the roots. If the damage is severe, take the plant out of its pot and examine the roots for rot. They will appear brown or black, mushy, breakable, and they may even smell bad. Healthy roots, however, will be firm and pale. If the roots seem soft, dark, or hollow, take a sharp pair of scissors or pruners and carefully trim away the problem areas. Then, shift your peace lily to a new container with fresh potting mix. Be sure your container has drainage holes. 

Once successfully repotted, follow a proper watering schedule. Let the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil dry before watering your peace lily plants again. A simple finger test will give you an idea of when your plant needs water. You will also want to remove any brown leaves and keep an eye out for the signs that you are overwatering your indoor plants and causing damage.

Overwatering is not the only thing that can cause browning tips on your peace lily plant. There are a few other things that could be the culprit such as irrigating your lilies with water that has high amounts of fluoride and chloride, sometimes found in tap water. A classic symptom of fluoride toxicity is leaf tips turning brown. So, if that is the case, water your peace lilies with distilled water, rainwater, or any other fluoride-free water source. Additionally, salt buildup and overfertilization can cause browning leaf tips. 

Peace lily plants are not heavy feeders. They only need to be fertilized once every six weeks in the spring and summer and not at all during the winter. So, fertilize only when needed, and use home-based soil testing kits to determine the type to use. If you spot white crust on the soil surface, it can be an indication of excess salt. Don't worry though. You can fix this by repotting your peace lilies in a larger container with fresh soil. Extreme temperatures, low humidity, and disease can also cause the tips of your peace lily leaves to turn brown. Make sure you pinpoint the reason for what is causing the issue before you address it.