The peace lily is an evergreen tropical plant native to Central and South America. The tropical plant can only thrive outside of its native environment by providing similar growing conditions. Otherwise, this flowering plant will weaken if you don’t replicate the growing conditions.
So why is my peace lily hanging? Too much and too little water are the main causes of a drooping peace lily plant. Other possible causes include exposure to direct sunlight, temperature extremes, insect infestation, low humidity, disease, and poor soil conditions.
We recommend not to panic as hanging peace lilies are common and manageable. The rule of thumb is to learn how to find and correct the exact cause. Keep reading this article for reasons to hang the peace lily and tips for getting the plant back on track.
Contents
Reasons to Hang the Peace Lily
Peace lilies are beginner-friendly houseplants due to their easy care and maintenance. Hanging peace lilies can occur in a variety of conditions. We recommend that you examine your houseplant to determine the cause and fix it.
How quickly you respond to the Fallen Peace Lily determines the cooldown period. But there is no need to panic, because the fallen peace lily is a manageable problem. Below are the most common reasons for hanging the peace lily and their respective mounting tips: (Source: University of Vermont).
excess water problem
Overwatering is the main cause of a drooping peace lily plant. This happens due to poor soil drainage and lack of drainage holes in the bottom of the container. The problem results in soggy soil that prevents peace lily roots from breathing and absorbing nutrients.
Signs of overwatering peace lilies are characterized by droopy leaves, yellowing leaves, dark brown spots on the stems, and brown leaf margins and tips. Overwatering is a dangerous practice for all houseplants, not just peace lilies.
We recommend using well-drained soil and a container with drainage holes in the bottom to drain excess water. Also, remember to check the moisture level of the soil before watering your peace lilies.
underwater problem
An inconsistent watering habit is another underestimated cause of a drooping peace lily. Peace lilies have herbaceous stems that need enough water to stay upright. Lack of water will cause peace lilies to wither and drop.
Dead peace lily leaves signal that it is time to water the plant. If the drought persists, leaves will drop and drop from the plant. We recommend pruning the affected leaves to revive your peace lily.
Repairing a fallen peace lily plant due to lack of water is easier than its overwatered counterpart. Plan a strict watering routine to keep your houseplant hydrated and healthy throughout the year.
Peace lilies need more water in the spring and summer due to their active growth. I recommend reducing the frequency of watering during the fall and winter seasons due to the dormancy effect.
direct sun exposure
Peace lilies are native to the rainforests of Central and South America because they grow under the canopy and can survive in low light environments. The tropical plant can tolerate fewer hours of direct sunlight in cooler climates.
But prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will result in scorching leaves that dry out and develop brown spots. Increased exposure to heat and light are the reasons for peace lily leaves to drop. The phenomenon occurs due to a greater loss of water than the rate of absorption.
We recommend moving the plant away from a location that receives direct sunlight. Choose an indoor location that receives direct and indirect sunlight to avoid a sagging problem. Provide maximum care to promote healthy growth.
pest infestations
Peace lilies are vulnerable to scale insects because these insects like to feed and live on the plant. If left unattended, these insects can wreak havoc on peace lilies. These pests are known to attack stems and leaves by literally sucking the sap from the cells.
The peace lily will dry out and sag due to excessive drainage of cell sap. We recommend that you inspect your houseplant for signs of pests while watering.
Mealybugs appear as fluffy white tufts on stems and leaves. These insects live in colonies and dealing with them can be a daunting experience. We recommend cleaning the houseplant with alcohol to remove insects.
Remember to isolate the plant from other houseplants to prevent spreading. Another best option for removing scale insects from peace lilies is to spray them with an insecticidal soap solution. Be sure to read this manual How to Naturally Get Rid of Mealybugs from Houseplants.
Extreme temperatures
Peace lilies prefer an average room temperature to thrive and stay healthy. We recommend keeping your peace lily in a room with a temperature range of 65-75OF (18-24.)OC. But the indoor temperature is sensitive to fluctuations.
Any temperature above 80°F and below 55°F will damage your peace lilies. Keep your houseplant away from air vents and cold drafts to avoid falling problems. Be sure to conduct further investigations into the cause of the hanging.
poor soil drainage
Growing and caring for peace lilies is a good idea, as these tropical evergreens are not fussy. These plants thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. If the soil does not drain well, it will become soggy and the peace lily will react to discomfort.
Fallen leaves on peace lilies are the primary sign of root rot caused by soggy soil due to choking and fungal invasion. Damaged roots cannot absorb water and nutrients from the soil, causing the drooping effect.
Peace lilies do not thrive in clay soil because it slows water drainage and creates an unsuitable environment for roots. On the other hand, sandy soil drains water quickly, giving roots insufficient time to absorb dissolved nutrients.
If you suspect soil conditions are causing your peace lily to drop, consider repotting in cool, well-drained soil. We recommend mixing the potting soil with perlite, peat and fine bark to improve the drainage system.
lack of humidity
Peace lilies prefer warm, humid conditions to thrive. But indoor humidity is vulnerable to fluctuations for a number of reasons. Low humidity is characterized by dry air which can topple the peace lily.
Other signs of low indoor humidity include brown leaf tips, yellowing leaves, and crispy leaves. I recommend increasing the humidity to fix the problem. Provide adequate air circulation to prevent pest and mold growth.
Install an electric humidifier to increase indoor humidity instead of misting peace lily leaves with water. My favorite method is to group houseplants together to increase the humidity around them.
plant diseases
Peace lilies are vulnerable to Cylindrocladium root rot, which causes leaf drop and discoloration. Plant diseases are common in summer because the peace lily needs more water.
We recommend examining the root system for signs of root rot and pruning the affected area before spraying with fungicide. Be sure to repot the houseplant in fresh potting soil and a container to get it back on track.
conclusion
If you’ve read this far, we can assume you’re dealing with a fallen peace lily plant. Before choosing an action, we recommend that you inspect your installation to determine the exact cause and remedy it.
Peace lilies are easy-growing tropical flowering plants that can be easily put back on track if something goes wrong. Hanging peace lily can be caused by improper watering, heat stress, too much direct sunlight, and many other factors.
We hope the above information will help you identify the causes of falling water lilies and take appropriate action. Feel free to share the information with your friends or family about growing peace lilies.
Readers reading this will also read:
- Peace Lily Leaves Are Turning Yellow And How To Fix It
- Peace Lily has brown leaf tips and edges (causes and solutions)