Peace lilies are a popular houseplant, but they can be a bit finicky
You’re not alone if you have a Peace lily plant and notice its leaves have been turning yellow. This is a common problem with Peace lilies, and there are several things you can do to fix it.
This article will go over a few of the most common reasons why peace lily leaves turn yellow and how to fix each one.
Why Is My Peace Lily Leaves Turning Yellow?
If your peace lily’s leaves turn yellow, it could be due to several reasons.
Although not always a cause for concern, yellowing leaves can indicate that your peace lily plant is not receiving the proper care it needs.
Fortunately, Peace lily plants are typically helpful in giving insight into what’s wrong.
Here are some of the most common reasons why peace lily leaves turn yellow and what you can do about it.
Too Much Sunlight
One of the most common reasons for Peace lily leaves turning yellow is too much sunlight.
Peace lilies are native to tropical rainforests, which means they’re used to filtered sunlight. They need bright indirect sunlight to thrive.
If your Peace lily gets too much direct sun, the leaves will sunburn and turn yellow and brown as the leaves chlorophyll breaks down.
Also, the Peace Lily leaves may start to curl up to protect themselves from the harsh sunlight.
Other signs that your Peace lily is getting too much sun include brown spots on the leaves and wilting.
How To Fix Yellow Peace Lily Leaves Due To Sunlight
If you think your Peace lily is getting too much sun, the best thing to do is move it to a shadier spot.
You’ll want to find a spot where it will get bright indirect sunlight.
When grown as indoor plants, Peace lilies do best near an east- or west-facing window.
If you can’t move your Peace lily, try covering the pot with a sheer curtain to filter the sunlight.
If you can’t find a spot inside your home that meets these requirements, you may need to put it outside in a shaded area.
Peace lily plants can tolerate being outside in the summer if they’re not in direct sunlight.
Too Little Light
Although Peace lilly plants need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive, they can also suffer if they’re not getting enough light.
The leaves will turn yellow and brown if your Peace lily isn’t getting enough light.
This is because the plant cannot produce enough chlorophyll necessary for photosynthesis.
Other signs that your Peace lily isn’t getting enough light include stunted growth, small leaves, and long stems.
How To Fix Yellow Peace Lily Leaves Due To Lack Of Light
If you think your Peace lily isn’t getting enough light, the best thing to do is move it to a brighter spot.
You’ll want to find a spot where it will get bright, indirect sunlight.
When grown as indoor plants, Peace lily plants do best near an east- or west-facing window.
If you can’t move your Peace lily, try removing obstacles blocking the light.
Peace lilies can also be placed under grow lights for 12-16 hours daily.
If you don’t have grow lights, you can try moving your Peace lily outside during the spring and summer.
Just be careful not to put it in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.
Too Much Water
Peace lilies are sensitive to overwatering. This is one of the most common reasons Peace lily leaves turn yellow.
When Peace lilies are overwatered, the roots start to rot, which prevents the plant from taking up water and nutrients from the soil. This can cause the leaves to turn yellow and wilt and the soil to feel soggy.
Other signs of overwatering include brown or yellow leaves, wilting, and mushy stems.
How To Fix Peace Lily Leaves Turning Yellow Due To Overwatering
If you think your Peace lily is overwatered, the best thing to do is stop watering it for a while.
Let the soil dry out completely before watering again, and then be sure to only water when the soil is dry.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re using well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes to prevent overwatering in the future.
If the roots are already rotting, you may need to repot your Peace lily in fresh, well-draining soil.
Peace lilies are typically quite hardy, so your plant should recover quickly if you catch the problem early enough.
Too Little Water
Peace lilies are also sensitive to underwatering, which can cause yellow leaves.
When Peace lilies are underwatered, the roots start to dry out, which prevents the plant from taking up water and nutrients from the soil.
This can cause the leaves to turn yellow and wilt.
Other signs of an underwatered peace lily include brown or yellow leaves, wilting, and dry soil.
How To Fix Yellow Leaves On A Peace Lily Due To Underwatering
If you think your Peace lily is underwatered, the best thing to do is water it thoroughly.
Be sure to water until the soil is saturated, and then let the excess water drain out.
You’ll also want to ensure you’re using a well-draining pot and soil.
Peace lilies are susceptible to root rot, so it’s essential to ensure the plant is not sitting in water.
If your Peace lily still shows signs of stress after watering, you can try misting the leaves or moving the plant to a humid location.
Water Quality
Peace lilies are sensitive to the water quality they’re being watered with.
If the water is too hard, it can build up in the soil and cause yellow leaves.
Peace lilies are also sensitive to chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals often found in tap water.
These chemicals can damage the roots and prevent the plant from taking water and nutrients.
In addition to causing the leaves to turn yellow, this can also cause brown leaf tips and brown patches on the leaves.
How To Fix Plant Leaves Turning Yellow Due To Poor Water Quality
If you think your Peace lily is being watered with hard water or tap water with chemicals, it is best to start watering it with filtered or distilled water.
You can also let tap water sit for 24 hours before using it to allow the chemicals to dissipate.
Also, be sure to flush the soil every few weeks to prevent the build-up of chemicals.
If your Peace lily is still showing signs of stress after changing the type of water you’re using, you can try watering it with a weak fertilizer solution. This will help to replenish the nutrients that have been lost.
Nutrient Deficiency
Peace lilies are also susceptible to nutrient deficiencies, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Nutrient deficiencies happen when the Peace lily isn’t getting enough of a specific mineral from the soil.
This is often due to the plant not being fertilized regularly or because the potting soil is of poor quality and has been depleted of nutrients.
Also, root-bound Peace lilies are more likely to experience nutrient deficiencies because they can’t access the soil’s nutrients.
There are several ways to tell if your Peace lily has a nutrient deficiency.
If the leaves are yellow and have brown or black spots, your plant is likely deficient in magnesium.
Yellowing leaves also indicate magnesium deficiency with green veins.
If the Peace lily’s leaves turn yellow and there are no other symptoms, the plant is likely deficient in iron.
Other symptoms of nutrient deficiencies in Peace lilies include:
- Stunted growth
- Leaves that are small or discolored
- Flowers that are smaller than usual or don’t open fully
How To Fix Peace Lily Leaves Turning Yellow Due To A Nutrient Deficiency
If you think your Peace lily has a nutrient deficiency, the best thing to do is fertilize it.
Be sure to use a fertilizer designed explicitly for Peace lilies or other houseplants.
You’ll also want to ensure you’re not overfertilizing, as this can cause more harm than good.
If your Peace lily still shows signs of stress after fertilizing, you can try repotting it into a fresh potting soil mix.
This will help to replenish the nutrients that have been lost.
Pests
Peace lilies are also susceptible to pests, which can cause yellow leaves.
The most common pests that attack Peace lilies are spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids.
These pests suck the sap from the leaves, which can cause them to turn yellow and wilt.
Some common signs a Peace lily has pests are webbing on the leaves, small white bugs, and sticky leaves.
How To Treat Yellow Leaves Caused By Pests
If you think your Peace lily has pests, the best thing to do is treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
You can also try wiping the leaves with a damp cloth to remove bugs or eggs.
It’s also helpful to check the roots for pests, as they can sometimes live in the potting mix.
If you find any pests on the Peace lily, it’s essential to remove them as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Diseases
Peace lilies are also susceptible to diseases, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
The most common disease that affects Peace lilies is root rot.
Root rot is caused by too much water, resulting in the roots decaying.
This can cause the leaves to turn yellow and wilt.
Other root rot symptoms include slow growth, mushy stems, and wilting leaves.
How To Treat Yellow Leaves Caused By Root Rot
If you think your Peace lily has root rot, the best thing to do is remove it from the pot and check the roots.
If the roots are black or mushy, they need to be removed.
After removing the affected roots, repot the Peace lily in fresh potting mix and water it regularly.
It’s also essential to ensure the Peace lily gets enough drainage and isn’t sitting in water.
If you catch root rot early, saving the Peace lily is often possible.
Temperature Stress
Peace lilies are also susceptible to temperature stress, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Temperature stress happens when the Peace lily is exposed to temperatures that are too hot or too cold.
This can cause the leaves to turn yellow and wilt.
Other symptoms of temperature stress include browning leaves, drooping leaves, and stunted growth.
How To Fix Temperature Stress In Peace Lilies
If you think your Peace lily has temperature stress, the best thing to do is move it to a location with more consistent temperatures.
Peace lilies are tropical plants and prefer warm temperatures, so they should be kept in a spot out of direct sunlight.
The ideal temperature range for Peace lilies is between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the Peace lily is exposed to temperatures outside this range, it can cause stress.
If the Peace lily is outdoors, bring it inside if the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peace lilies are also sensitive to drafts, so keep them away from windows or doors.
Peace lilies are also sensitive to drafts, so they should be kept away from windows and doors.
By providing the Peace lily with consistent temperatures and protecting it from drafts, you can help to reduce stress.
Natural Yellow Leaves
Peace lilies naturally turn yellow as they age.
As the Peace lily ages, its leaves will slowly turn green to yellow. This is a normal part of the Peace lily’s life cycle and is not a cause for concern.
How To Fix Natural Yellowing In Peace Lilies
If you think your Peace lily has natural yellowing leaves, the best thing to do is wait it out.
The Peace lily will eventually lose all its leaves, but new ones will grow back.
Peace lilies are known for their ability to bounce back, so don’t be discouraged if your plant looks a little bare.
Give it time, and it will soon be as good as new.
Should I Cut the Yellow Leaves Off My Peace Lily Plants?
Yes, you can cut the yellow leaves off your Peace Lily.
However, you should only do this if the leaves are truly yellow and not just starting to turn yellow.
If the leaves only start to turn yellow, it’s best to leave them be.
Removing the yellow leaves helps the Peace Lily focus its energy on new growth, which is why trimming them is a good idea.
The Peace Lily must work harder to keep the old growth alive when they are not trimmed off. This also helps to keep the Peace Lily looking its best.
If you have a Peace Lily starting to look scraggly, trimming off the yellow leaves can help it look neater and more well-kept.
To trim the Peace lily yellow leaves:
- Sterilize your scissors or pruning shears before trimming the Peace Lily leaves. This will help to prevent the spread of disease.
- Cut them off at the base of the plant, as close to the stem as possible.
- Be sure not to damage the Peace Lily’s stem when trimming off the leaves.
- After trimming the leaves, you can compost them or throw them away.
Final Thoughts
The Peace lily is a tropical plant that makes a great indoor plant.
They are easy to care for and can tolerate low-light conditions.
However, they can suffer from several problems, including the Peace lily turning yellow.
If you notice that your Peace lily leaves turn yellow, it is crucial to take action quickly.
There are several possible causes, but most can be fixed with simple changes to your Peace lily’s care routine.
To prevent yellow Peace lily leaves, provide bright indirect light and water when the soil is dry.
Your Peace lily will thrive with proper care, and its leaves will stay green and healthy.
