Peace lily leaves curling is a common problem if you don’t take good care of this beautiful and hardy plant. Although peace lilies are forgiving, the leaves can curl because of temperature stress, too much sun, watering issues, drainage problems, lack of humidity, impaired quality of water, inadequate feeding, pests, and being root bound.
Continue reading this article and you will find out how to determine reasons, and how to beat them.
Contents
What Are The Reasons for Peace Lily Curling Leaves?
The reasons for peace lily curling leaves are because the plant receives inadequate heat, water, excessive light, the lack of humidity, or receiving insufficient nutrients by feedings. In addition, it can also be caused by drainage problems, the quality of water, existent pests, and overcrowding.
– Wrong Temperatures
Peace lily or Spathiphyllum plant thrives in warm weather with a temperature range between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature is too hot or too cold, the leaves curl, because the plant would be stressing, in this case. This is why peace lilies make perfect household plants, but you can plant them outside if you live in a warm climate, guaranteeing that it doesn’t get too hot in the summer.
In hot weather, the leaves curl because the plant tries to preserve moisture. You’ll also see curling and yellowing leaves with brown tips, and they will feel crispy. One of the most frequently asked questions is why plant leaves are bending and pointing in different directions, so it shows that there’s a problem with the plant care guide routine.
The same happens when the temperature drops significantly, which can also occur during the change of seasons. The leaves curl because the plant tries to protect itself from thawing that might damage it. They might look pale or yellow before they droop and wilt, and the edges or tip of the leaves would be curling.
– Too Much Light
Although this plant needs access to light, direct sunlight will damage the foliage and cause leaves to curl. This is an understory plant, and intense light will scorch the leaves, so they bend to protect themselves from excessive moisture loss, because the sap of the leaves begins to dehydrate.
The leaves will look washed out and start losing their color. They might turn white but won’t fall off the plant easily. Seeing peace lily deformed leaves isn’t sightly and indicates that your plant suffers from a problem, and too much light can cause this matter, because it would come with some heat as well.
– Watering Issues
As a beginner-friendly plant, peace lilies can tolerate being dehydrated better than being watered in an excessive way. However, watering issues can significantly affect the plant and cause foliage problems like curling, yellowing, drooping, and wilting.
When you don’t water your Spathiphyllum plant enough, the soil or potting mix will look dry and cracked, and the leaves will curl inside. This happens because the plant tries to reduce its surface area to prevent water loss. The peace lily leaves turning brown or looking too thin are other common symptoms of underwatering.
Soggy soil due to overwatering can also make the leaves curl, and when it receives too much water in the soil, it prevents the root system from absorbing air and nutrients and causes root rot.
The leaves will start turning downward, and you might see black or brown spots on them, and at the same time, bad odor might also come from the plant pot, and if you pull out the root ball, it will look mushy.
– Drainage Problems
Waterlogged soil stays moist and prevents the plant from absorbing the nutrients it needs. This happens when you choose the wrong potting mix or when there aren’t enough drainage holes in the pot where you’re growing your Spathiphyllum plant. You can also notice the drainage issue; as you keep a saucer where the extra water collects under your pot, the plant might be subject to drainage issues, if you see that no water is being collected.
– Lack of Humidity
In their natural habitat, Spathiphyllum plants prefer moderately moist and humid conditions. The plant curls its leaves in low humidity to prevent water loss and retain moisture. You will also see burning or scorching marks on the leaf tips, because the plant has had an improper balance and the lack of humidity that it needs in order to stand in a healthy way.
– Low Water Quality
The leaves of your Spathiphyllum plant might curl because of the poor quality of the water. Tap water is packed with chemicals that damage the plant and make the leaves curl. This can be a case when the water you are using is coming from a source of sewage water, or it is contaminated, and you will see the leaves curling and looking dull.
– Inadequate Feeding
Overfeeding and underfeeding can make the peace lily plant leaf curl. Adding too much fertilizer will increase the salt deposits in the soil, significantly impacting water absorption, so the plant will be dehydrated. Although peace lilies appreciate frequent feeding, too much nitrogen in the soil can curl the leaves.
Too much fertilizing will leave a crust on top of the soil, and you can observe how the foliage will be turning brown, and the edges will look burnt. On the other hand, you must also be mindful that the lack of nutrients can also be the reason why the foliage is curling. This happens when the soil lacks organic matter, or you don’t feed your plant enough during the growing season.
– Pests
Some plants might curl because of shock after transplant, but pest infestations can also be the culprit. Thrips, aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, and scale insects can damage the look of the plant by sucking on the sap. This causes curling in the leaves and weakens the whole plant.
Some pests also secrete toxic compounds that damage the plant. You can spot some of these insects moving on the plant. Thrips are tiny yellowish-black insects, while mealy bugs are yellow, leaving a sticky secretion called honeydew on the plant.
Aphids come in different colors, and they’re hard to spot. But you can tell your plant is infected when the young leaves look deformed, and the entire plant doesn’t grow. Scale insects cause honeydew, black mold, and leaves yellowing, and spider mites’ webbing might be visible on the plant and cause leaf loss.
– Overcrowding
An overcrowded plant won’t be able to access the water and nutrients in the soil. Your plant might be rootbound if the roots protrude from the drainage holes. Which is why, if you see the peace lily leaves turning yellow, curling upwards, and your plant is drooping and wilting, you might need to move it into a bigger pot.
What Are Solutions to Fixing Curled Leaves of Peace Lily?
The solutions to fixing curled leaves of peace lily are to adjust the temperature and the light exposure around the plant. In addition, you must water it well and improve the drainage, increase the humidity, and use quality water. Moreover, you can also aim to feed it properly and repot.
– Adjusting Temperature
An increase in temperature up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more will increase water loss. So, if you live in a warmer climate, you should move your plant inside, and this way, you should also move your plant away from radiators, fireplaces, and air vents.
You should also move your peace lily away from cold drafts in winter. You should move the plant inside once the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Consistent temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the plant, so be mindful of the temperature.
– Adjusting Light Exposure
Whether growing your peace lily inside or outside, you should avoid direct sunlight exposure. Grow peace lilies under the shade of taller trees and shrubs, where they can receive dappled light. You can also grow them in a greenhouse to protect them from harsh light.
When grown inside, place your plant pot near a window with a blind or sheer curtain. A south or west-facing window will provide the plant with enough light without getting scorched, to be ideal so that it wouldn’t be subjected to a heavy load of sun.
– Water Adequately
Deciding how to water peace lily according to a schedule usually results in watering issues. This is why you should examine the top layer of the soil and water your plant only when the top inch feels dry. If you have an insufficient amount of water for peace lily, deep water it until the extra water flows out of the drainage holes.
If you have an overwatered peace lily, ensure your pot has enough drainage holes. Then, allow the soil to dry. If the roots are rotten, repot the plant and wash the root ball. Remove all the damaged roots, and plant your peace lily in fresh soil.
– Improve Drainage
Excessive moisture can also be caused by poor drainage if you choose the wrong soil or pot. Ensure the pot has enough holes and add perlite to improve drainage. You can also replace the soil if it’s too compact.
If you keep a saucer under the pot, empty it regularly. The plant can absorb excess water and damage the roots, leading to the leaves turning downward.
– Increase Humidity
Peace lily thrives in humidity levels around 40 percent, so if you live in a dry climate, you should increase humidity to protect the foliage from yellowing and curling. Your plant might feel dehydrated, so mist it regularly. Peace lily thrives in humid rooms like the bathroom so it can receive enough moisture. If the weather is too dry, you can use a humidifier.
– Use Good Water
Chemicals like chlorine and fluoride can damage various plants. They’re the main culprit behind the suffering of true lilies like oriental lily leaves curling.
If tap water is highly chlorinated at home, use a filter or distilled water for your plants. Rainwater is also suitable for your peace lily plants and can reverse other problems like calla lily leaves curling.
– Feed Properly
Although peace lilies need regular feeding, too many nutrients can prevent the peace lily flowers from appearing. It’s best to use slow-release fertilizer pellets and add them weekly during the growing season.
If you see a brown leaf despite maintaining good conditions, you might need to feed your plant less often. Fertilizing the plant in winter isn’t recommended because it is in a dormant mode. At the same time, you should make sure that there’s no nutrient deficiency. Having too few nutrients in the soil will lead to stunted growth and loss of flowers.
– Treat Pests
Most pest infestations can be easily treated during the early stages of the infection. Several treatments can help eliminate pests, like insecticidal soap and neem oil. Start by removing the infected leaves and applying the treatment on the leaves, avoiding the hottest time of the day.
– Repot Your Plant
Peace lilies thrive when they’re a bit rootbound, so you don’t have to repot your plant yearly. However, if you’ve kept the plant in the same pot for several years, it’s best to repot it.
Pick a pot two inches bigger than the current pot, and use a high-quality potting mix to plant your Spathiphyllum plant. Then, add the old plant without removing the soil around the root ball. Afterward, you should water your plant until the excess water drains out of the holes.
Conclusion
You should understand why you can see your peace lily leaves drooping and curling and find the right solution to restore the leaves’ condition, so here’s a recap:
- The curling foliage of peace lily doesn’t mean your plant is beyond saving.
- Seeing curled yellow leaves on your plant is usually the result of inadequate temperature, too much light, watering issues, or lack of humidity.
- Growing peace lilies in poor-draining soil will lead to root rot and curl the leaves with the peace lily leaves tips turning brown.
- Repot your plant every few years to give it room to expand, and encourage blooming and healthy growth.
- Deal with pests before they become too severe, and remove the infected foliage to protect the rest of your plants.
Your peace lily plant will show different signs and symptoms to help you understand the root cause, and our gardening team will tell you about the best way to deal with this issue.
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