How do you revive a droopy peace lily? Fast ways to nurse your plant to health
This is how the experts bring their peace lily back to life – for a statement house plant that looks good for longer
How do you revive a droopy peace lily? If you're asking this question, your houseplant has likely seen better days.
However, a fallen peace lily is no cause for significant concern, as you can quickly restore its former glory with the right peace lily care advice.
Asking 'why is my peace lily drooping' is the first step to success – as you inevitably need to address the problem before beginning the revival process. However, when you have discovered what is causing the droop (whether that is through over or under-watering or incorrect light levels), you can bring your plant back to life with the right care and attention.
These are the steps that experts follow when bringing their peace lily back to life.
How do you revive a droopy peace lily?
There is a lot to love about the peace lily – one of the best Feng Shui plants – and the best air-cleaning indoor plants you can bring into your home. It's also easy to care for – meaning you can bring them back to life in four simple steps.
1. Check root health
You may have already learned why your peace lily is drooping, but the check doesn't end there. As plant expert Kate Lindley at Baby Bio explains, the key to checking your plant's health is to assess the root health.
To do this, you should remove your lily from your container by tipping it to the side and gently teasing the plant and its roots free. After you have removed it from the pot, lay it on a clean surface and remove any compost mix gathered around the root ball.
'If you find the roots are soft and brown, your plant may be showing early signs of root rot – a result of being left to sit in waterlogged compost,' Kate says.
'If there are still some healthy roots, the plant can be saved by trimming off any dead or dying roots back to where the root becomes firm and white again but be sure to use sterilized scissors when doing so.'
The expert recommends using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruner [such as this one on Amazon] to cut any dead roots (that aren't firm and plump) before repotting them with fresh compost.
2. Remove dead leaves
Peace lilies are one of the best winter houseplants you can choose, but that doesn't mean they're immune to yellowing leaves over cooler months. However, if you notice your plant's leaves are discolored or crispy, it doesn't necessarily mean your plant is dying. In this case, you should simply prune your peace lily by removing the dead leaves and enjoy a healthy-looking plant once again.
'Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruners, cut off any dead leaves which appear brown or yellow or which show early signs of disease,' Kate says. 'Some plant species are particularly susceptible to diseases such as leaf spot, black leg, or sooty mold, so making sure your scissors are sterile is important.'
3. Add nutrients
Like all living room, kitchen, or bedroom plants, your peace lilies compost will lose nutrients over time.
'If your plant is beginning to look limp, try using fertilizer to ensure its soil is enriched with all of the nutrients it needs to grow stronger roots, brighter blooms, and more leaves,' Kate says.
'As a general rule of thumb, most plants need a mix of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium for optimum growth, so invest in plant food that can provide the perfect balance. We recommend using an all-purpose feed every time you water. Simply add a few drops to water and pour at the base of your houseplant.'
4. Give it more sunshine
Finding a sunny spot for your peace lily is one of the most impactful things you can do when learning how to care for house plants in winter – especially if you notice it is drooping. Kate adds that this is particularly important in the cooler months when natural light is in short supply.
'Increase humidity levels by placing your plants next to a tray of pebbles in a shallow layer of water, and remember to mist regularly, too.'
How do you bring a droopy peace lily back to life?
The best way to bring a droopy peace lily back to life is to ensure your home accommodates its healthy growth.
'Think about the temperature of your home, how much natural light you get, and the levels of humidity in the space you are looking to fill,' says Dani Turner, an expert from Bunches. She suggests that the Peace Lily plant is one of the best bathroom plants as it is a more humid environment and often offers the best level of sunlight.
'If the leaves on your Peace Lily are turning yellow, there are a few factors that may be causing this,' Dani adds. 'Your leaves may simply be aging; a way to see if this is the case would be to see if they dry up and fall off; alternatively, you could prune the yellowing leaves. '
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Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
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