Peace lilies are a wonderful addition to any home! They have beautiful evergreen leaves and delicate white flowers.
They don’t need much to survive, so it can be very frustrating when the leaves of this hardy plant start to curl. But don’t lose hope! With a few simple adjustments, your plant will be blooming again in no time.
The curled leaves of the peace lily are a sign that there is too much direct sunlight or that your plant is in extreme temperatures. This can happen if you don’t use the right balance or quality of water, or if you fertilize too little or too much. Less common reasons include root rot, moisture levels and insects.
Whatever the reason, with a few simple adjustments, your peace lily will be blooming in no time!
Read on to learn more about why leaves curl and what you can do to stop it.
Causes of Peace Lily Leaves CurlingContents
Causes of Peace Lily Leaves Curling
It can be so frustrating when your houseplant’s leaves lose some of their life. Especially if you buy the plant, because the nursery where you bought it told you that it can live in all conditions.
This is the case with Peace Lily if you take a few things into account. Curly leaves aren’t the end of the world (nor the life of your peace lily)!
Even novice gardeners can have a vibrant peace lily in their home. All it takes is a little troubleshooting and you’ll be on your way!
A lot of sun
Peace lilies are common in the tropical climates of Central and South America.
You would therefore think that they thrive in the sun, but this is not the case. Too much sun is one of the main reasons a peace lily will start to curl. it can also be you peace lily leaves turn brown.
If your leaves are curling, start by checking to see if they are getting too much direct sunlight. This can cause the plant to sunburn, which can lead to curled leaves.
The good news is that the solution is as simple as moving your plant to a more shady area!
thermal stress
Heat stress can also cause the leaves to curl on a peace lily. If the temperature in your room exceeds 32°C, it can put unnecessary pressure on your plant.
Again, this is a common problem with an easy fix. If your room is too hot, move the plant to a cooler room to see if the leaves straighten up.
If they do, you’ll know that’s why your plant wasn’t happy. If your leaves are still curling and you’ve checked direct light and temperature, fear not! Read on for more reasons why your leaves may be curling!
water quality
Finding the balance in a watering can be tricky, but once you’ve done it, it should be a breeze for your plant!
One of the most common Peace Lily care mistakes is watering. This causes the plant to “crush” and become limp, with curled leaves.
Peace lilies need moist soil. Regular watering will keep your plant fresh and vibrant!
The best way to keep the soil moist is to water it (top or bottom, depending on the pot) until the soil is soggy.
Then take a look at this article about it. The Best Peace Lily Soil (And How To Make It Yourself) learn more.
Although they must remain moist, NO keep your water lily in standing water. It’s like signing your death warrant. Between waterings, the plant must be given the opportunity to dry out a little, which prevents stagnation of water. (Source: University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service)
Watering frequency is important, but water quality can also cause leaf curl. Using tap water can cause problems for any houseplant, due to the mineral content of most tap water.
A simple solution to ensure your plants get the best water is to use filtered water for your plants. Just like humans, plants thrive when given quality care.
rotten root It interferes with the transport of nutrients.
Root rot happens when things are out of balance for your plant. This usually means poor drainage or flooding. It can also be from excessive direct light.
Don’t overthink it, because root rot is often caused by the same things as leaf curl. This is more likely a problem you are also facing than the root cause.
The good news: if you fix the other things first and you have root rot, it will go away in one fell swoop. Look at you, solving two things at once! You are a rock star outfielder.
This article takes a closer look at solving peace lily root rot and explains some of the best ways to revive your peace lily.
Amcorrect fertilizationno application
Peace lilies thrive with minimal care, so there’s no need to over-fertilize. They do well with a typical houseplant fertilizer every 6 weeks or so. Even every two months is fine.
Fertilizing more (or using too much) will result in curled leaves. Take a step back and watch your plant thrive!
low humidity ‘Cause the leaves of the peace lily curl
Peace lilies love a good mist! Since its native climate is tropical, it can be nice to take the time to vaporize your plant!
While this isn’t a common reason for leaf curl, your plant might be telling you that it needs more moisture.
Taking a spray bottle (with filtered water) and misting your plant lightly can help straighten it up. This will shape their natural environment, helping them to thrive.
Keep in mind that this step may be more necessary for some plant owners than others. If you already live in a humid climate, feel free to skip this step.
But if you’re a desert dweller (like me) or your house is getting dry, this might be a good tip to help your plant.
Regular misting is great for your Peace Lily, but not essential to its survival. If you’re the kind of gardener who wants a houseplant that you water and leave alone, you can do that too.
Misting will neither make nor destroy your plant’s survival. But it makes it more dynamic for your home.
insect plague
The leaves of your peace lily are less likely to curl because your plant harbors scale insects. This is the case if you see fuzzy-looking white creatures crawling around your plant.
Mealybugs, mites and aphids suck the juices from the plant causing the lily leaves to curl and curl. brown spots on it.
If you have more than one type of houseplant, start by separating the plants. Then it’s as easy as placing yellow sticky traps at the base of your plant!
Bugs will flock to the sticky paper (instead of draining the lilies) and your leaves will be straightening up in no time!
Rubbing alcohol, insecticidal soap, and neem oil are three other ways to get rid of pests on your plant.
They smother the pests to end the infestation. Spray your plants regularly (about once a week) so that the pests come into contact with alcohol, soap or oil.
As we all know, prevention is better than cure. So if you don’t have mealybugs yet and want to keep it that way, fear not!
Dusting plants (with a damp paper towel) will discourage pests. Adding this to your weekly cleaning is an easy way to keep your plants pest-free.
Overcrowding in De Pot
If you’ve tried all of the solutions above and your leaves are still curling, it might be time to try a bigger pot.
Peace lilies do best when somewhat pot bound (with roots filling the pot with no room for expansion). So there is a good chance that the pot in which you bought your water lily is the right size.
But if your curled leaves persist, you can try transplanting your plant into a bigger pot. It is best to do this in late winter or early spring (February or March). This will help your plant transition with as little stress as possible.
I know the causes, now what?
So now that you understand the possible causes of curled peace lily leaves, it’s time to fix it! But how? Begin by first taking deep breaths.
The worst is over. We’ve done the research for you, so it’s as easy as following the step-by-step instructions from here. You have it!
Steps for healthier peace lily leaves:
- Scan the room your plant is in to see if the light is too direct.
- Ambient temperature monitoring. Peace lilies thrive between 70°F (21°C) and 90°F (32°C).
- Check your soil. Are you watering too much or too little? Do you use tap water? Remember, just like humans, filtered water is best!
- Be sure to fertilize your lily once every two months. More than that and it can cause problems for your plant.
- If these steps didn’t help, check for root rot, pests, or an incorrect pot size.
- Give it time! The conditions your plant lived in did not immediately cause curled leaves. So, similarly, your plant will take some time to recover.
- Do not give up! Keeping indoor plants can be a wonderful experience. They’re a nice addition to your home, good for your mental health, and even help purify your air! With a little troubleshooting, your Peace Lily will be back on its own in no time!
You can also enjoy: Peace Lily Cactus Dirt (and how to make your own)
Frequently asked Questions:
What happens if you overwater a peace lily?
Overwatering can cause many problems for your lily, including root rot and disease. The key is to keep the soil moist without saturating it. The soil should be moist and not soggy.
Check out this article to fix your overwatered peace lily.
Do Peace Lilies Need Sunshine?
They need sun, but not direct or excessive sun to avoid sunburn and overheating. They do well in shade or in a room with lots of indirect light.
Should I spray my Peace Lily?
By watering your water lily, you can model the tropical climate that comes from nature and allow the plant to thrive. It’s an easy way to encourage your plant to grow vigorously.
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