Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum species) are a great houseplant because they are easy to care for and can add a splash of color to any room. It is critical and essential to water your peace lily properly, however, or you may end up with an over-or underwatered plant.
Limiting the amount of water on peace lily leaves surfaces is one of the best ways to prevent diseases, according to the University of Florida.
Signs Of Under Watered Vs. Overwatered Peace Lily: how to recognize them?
Here is how to tell if Peace lily is overwatered or underwatered:
| Signs of Underwatered Peace Lily | Signs of Overwatered Peace Lily |
| Signs of underwatered peace lily include wilting causing the leaves to turn yellow. (Source: North Carolina State University) | Root and stem diseases are typically the most common issue linked with over-watering practices (Source: Clemson University) |
| Underwatered leaves generally become curled, wrinkled, and faded. | The leaves of an overwatered peace lily will begin to yellow and wilt. |
| Roots appear dry and brittle. | Roots generally become wet and mushy. |
| Dry and brown spots appear. | Watersoaked and brown spots encircled by a yellow are common signs of overwatering. |
| Leaves turn yellowing, dry, and crispy. | Leaves typically turn limp and yellow. |
| The Top 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) of soil appear dry. | The soil becomes too wet and soggy. |
In this guide article, we will discuss the signs of underwatered vs. overwatered peace lilies so that you can ensure your plant stays healthy!
Overview Of The Characteristics Of Peace Lily
The peace lily is a beautiful and serene plant perfect for any home or office. The peace lily symbolizes tranquility and serenity with its long, white blooms and lush, green leaves.
The peace lily is also known to be one of the easiest plants to care for, making it a remarkable choice for anyone looking to add a little bit of nature to their space. It is also a natural air purifier, helping clean your home or office air.
If you are looking for a plant that is both beautiful and easy to care for, the peace lily is a perfect choice.
The table below contains an overview of the characteristics of peace lily.
| Scientific Name | Spathiphyllum |
| Common Names | – Peace Lily – White Sails – Mauna Loa Peace Lily – Spath lily – Spathe Flower |
| Phonetically Spelled as | Spath-ee-FIL-um |
| Family | Araceae |
| Species | Spathiphyllum |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Plant Type | – Houseplant – Herb – Poisonous |
| Peace Lily’s Plant Size | – Height: 1 ft. 0 inches to 6 ft. 0 inches – Width: 1 ft. 0 inches to 5 ft. 0 inches |
| Peace Lily Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Sun Exposure | – Peace lily prefers deep shade, less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight. – Peace lily also does well in partial shade with direct sunlight only during part of the day, about 2 to 6 hours of sun exposure. – Peace lilies might not produce flowering when they don’t receive sufficient light, mainly when plants are less than a year old. |
| Soil Drainage for Peace Lily | Peace lily does well indoors in moist (but not soggy) soil. |
| Peace Lily‘s Propagation Method | The best way to propagate Peace lilies is by division during any season, and it is not recommended to propagate them via leaf or stem cuttings. |
| Peace Lily‘s Fertilizer Requirements | – Fertilize peace lily at one-quarter of the suggested strength as over-fertilizing can create burning of tips and roots. – Use a balanced and liquid houseplant fertilizer of about 20-20-20. – A magnesium deficit can cause peace lily to become stunted. – Be aware that overfertilization or excessive drying can cause the edges of the leaves to turn brown. |
| Peace Lily pH Requirements | – Ideally, between 5.0 and 6.5 – Peace lily is among the plants that do well in coffee grounds as fertilizer. |
| Peace Lily’s Temperature Requirements | – Peace lilies do well in warm daytime temperatures between 68 and 85 °F (20 to 29.44 Celcius) and nighttime temperatures about ten °F (-12.22 Celcius) cooler. – Try to avoid temperatures below 60 °F because this might cause cold damage. |
| Insects, Diseases, and Other Peace Lily Problems | – Mealybugs, fungus gnats, spider mites, and scales are among the most common insect indoors. – To prevent pest invasion, regularly clean your peace lilies’ leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust that tends to gather under the bottom of the leaves. |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone | 11 to 12 |
| Region Of Origin | Asia, Central America |
| Toxicity | Can cause problems for cats, horses, and dogs (Source: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) |
How to Take Care of Peace Lily With Flower
When it comes to taking care of peace lilies, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, these plants prefer indirect sunlight and humid conditions. So, if you can provide them with a spot that gets bright, filtered light and keep the soil moist (but not soggy), you’ll be well on your way to success.
Also, peace lilies benefit from fertilizing every few weeks during the growing season. A general-purpose fertilizer will do the trick – be sure to follow the instructions on the package so you don’t overdo it.
Finally, as with all plants, peace lilies must be watered regularly. Let the first inch of the soil dry out before watering again, and don’t forget to drain any excess water from the saucer beneath the pot.
Following these simple tips, you can enjoy beautiful peace lilies in your home for many years.
What Are The Benefits Of Peace Lilies?
Peace lilies are popular for their ability to purify indoor air. They are also popular houseplants because they are easy to care for and require very little maintenance. Also, peace lilies can help boost your mood and reduce stress.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is among the best indoor plants that clean indoor air of specific environmental contaminants, including benzene and formaldehyde, according to a NASA Clean Air Study.
You might also enjoy reading: 6 Houseplants That Effectively Clean The Air And Remove Toxins.
It has also been shown that peace lilies can help to improve concentration and cognitive function. Furthermore, peace lilies are natural humidifiers and can help increase the moisture content in the air.
Finally, peace lilies are believed to affect cardiovascular health positively. Peace lilies have many benefits, making them ideal indoor and outdoor plants.
What Are The Best Conditions For Peace Lilies?
Peace lilies need moderate to bright light and prefer indirect sunlight. They also need moist soil; however, you should allow the top of the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
Peace lilies like warm temperatures and do not do well in drafts. This plant is also susceptible to root rot, so be sure to plant it in a well-draining pot.
- It is better to choose a container one to two inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) larger than the initial pot because using too large a pot may keep the potting mix too wet, which might lead to root rot.
- Ensure to loosen the root system gently before putting the plant in the new container, where the roots can quickly grow through the potting mix.
How Often Should I Water My Peace Lily?
It would be best if you watered your peace lily about once a week or when the soil is dry to the touch. Be sure to empty any excess water from the saucer underneath the pot to prevent root rot. It’s also a remarkable idea to mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity.
This tropical plant thrives in humid environments and benefits from extra moisture in the air.
How To Effectively Water Peace Lily:
- Peace lilies will thrive in almost any well-drained potting mix; however, ensure you keep your moist but not soggy.
- Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings but ensure that it does not wilt as it can cause the leaves to become yellow.
- Letting the soil dry out excessively can cause your peace lily to wilt, causing the leaves and edges to turn yellow.
- Water your peace lily with room water temperature and let the water sit for a while to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
- After watering, avoid letting the plant sit in a saucer of excess water because it can cause root rot issues.
- Peace lily prefers a large pot, and it is better to keep it pot-bound.
- Whenever necessary, re-pot your peace lily in February or March.
Signs of underwatered Peace Lily
When your peace lily is under-watered, the leaves will begin to droop and wilt. The plant will also stop growing. If you see these signs, water your peace lily immediately.
Other signs that your peace lily is underwatered include yellowing leaves, brown tips on the leaves, and stunted growth. If you notice any of these signs, increase the amount of water you give your peace lily.
Under watered peace, lilies can be revived if they are watered immediately. However, if they are not watered in time, the plant will die. To avoid underwatering your peace lily, water it when the soil is dry to the touch. Then, put your finger in the soil to check the moisture level.
If you think your peace lily is underwatered, water it immediately and then continue to water it regularly. Your peace lily will soon return to its healthy self with proper care.
Signs of Overwatered Peace Lily Plants
Root and stem diseases are generally the most common issue associated with over-watering practices (Source: Clemson University)
The leaves of an overwatered peace lily will start to yellow and wilt. The plant will also droop, and the leaves may turn brown and drop off. The soil will be soggy and may have a foul odor. If you think your peace lily is overwatered, stop watering it and let the soil dry out.
You can also try to rescue the plant by repotting it in dry, well-draining soil. If the roots are too far gone, however, the plant may not recover.
Another sign of overwatering is leaf-spotting. It can be due to too much water or using water high in minerals. If your peace lily’s leaves have spots, try letting the plant dry and water it with distilled water. You can also try to reduce the mineral content of your water by using a water filter.
Overwatered peace lilies will also start to produce small, off-white flowers. This is the plant’s way of trying to reproduce before it dies. So if your peace lily is flowering, it’s time to take action to save the plant.
How Do You Revive A Peace Lily Overwatered?
When a peace lily is overwatered, the best thing to do is to stop watering it and let the plant dry out. Once the plant has dried out, you can start watering it again. Be sure to water the plant only when the soil is dry.
Overwatering can cause the peace lily to rot, so it is important to be careful not to overwater the plant. It is essential to make sure that the peace lily has good drainage.
If the plant does not have good drainage, the water will not be able to drain properly, and the plant will be more likely to rot. To help improve drainage, you can add sand or gravel to the bottom of the pot.
Peace lilies are sensitive to liquids such as fluoride, so they must use only distilled water or rainwater to water the plant.
If you live in a region with raw or distilled water, you can also purchase a water filtration system to remove the chemicals from the water. It would be better to invest once and ensure the peace lily is healthy and thriving.
Final Thoughts
Peace lilies are beautiful tropical plants that can brighten up any room. However, peace lilies are delicate plants that must be cared for properly.
If you think your peace lily is underwatered or overwatered, take action immediately to save the plant.
It is also important to be careful not to overwater or underwater the plant. Your peace lily will thrive with proper care and provide you with many years of enjoyment and fresh air.
