Why Your Peace Lily Is Suddenly Drooping—and How to Save It, According to Plant Experts

Peace lily is a beautiful tropical plant known for its glossy foliage and upright white flowers. If you've invested care into this beloved houseplant, it can be frustrating when the leaves and blooms start to droop. A sad-looking peace lily is typically a sign that something in its environment is amiss, from low humidity to rootbound conditions. To help you revive your plant before it's too late, we spoke to gardening experts who shared the common reasons peace lilies wilt.

Inadequate Watering

Over or underwatering a peace lily can cause it to droop. Too much water makes it difficult for the roots to absorb the nutrients and oxygen they need, causing the roots to rot. Insufficient water can also cause drooping because the peace lily can't support the structure of the stems, says Linda Langelo, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension.

To avoid giving your peace lily too much or too little water, Langelo says to water when the top inch or so of soil feels dry. If your plant sits on top of a saucer, make sure to drain it after watering so the feet don't get too wet, which can cause root rot.

Disease

Like with many plants, disease can cause a peace lily's stems to fall. "Root rot, fungal infections, and bacterial leaf diseases can all weaken the plant's structure and reduce its ability to transport water, resulting in droopy, discolored leaves," says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.

To save your plant from disease, Funk says to remove it from its container, trim away any mushy or dark roots, and repot it into clean soil. "Improve air circulation and avoid splashing water on the leaves. If needed, apply a houseplant-safe fungicide," she says.

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Pests

Pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and aphids feed on plant sap, causing leaves to droop. If you suspect pests have infested your peace lily, Funk says to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. "Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until the infestation clears," she says.

Not Enough Sunlight

The peace lily needs adequate sunlight to flourish and produce its beautiful white flowers. "If a peace lily does not receive sufficient light, such as indirect bright light, then it will not be able to photosynthesize enough energy for itself. Thus, weakening the stems," says Langelo.

Luckily, this is easy to fix. Place the peace lily somewhere it will receive bright, indirect sunlight. "If you do not have proper light, then purchase an LED light for your plants," says Langelo.

Overfertilizing

Fertilizer helps boost plant growth, but too much of it can cause more harm than good. Overfertilizing causes salt to build up in the soil and become hydrophobic, meaning the plant can't absorb water. To fix this, Langelo says repot the plant with fresh soil and to reduce the amount of fertilizer you use. "A peace lily needs fertilizer in spring and summer," she says. "A diluted amount of balanced fertilizer, two to three times in the growing season, is sufficient."

Incorrect Temperature and Humidity

The peace lily doesn't like temperature extremes or low humidity. "Cold drafts, hot air vents, or rapid temperature changes stress the plant and cause leaves to droop," says Funk. Typically, these plants prefer warm environments with higher humidity. "Low humidity can cause moisture loss in the plant’s leaves and make it droop," Langelo notes.

Keep your plant healthy by maintaining indoor temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the humidity in your home is low, Langelo recommends misting the soil or placing the peace lily near other plants. "Avoid placing it near exterior doors, heaters, fireplaces, or air-conditioning vents," Funk says.

Water Quality

These plants are picky about water quality. "Peace lilies can be sensitive to high levels of chlorine, fluoride, or salts in tap water," says Funk. "Poor water quality may cause leaf stress, browning tips, and drooping over time."

If you've been watering your peace lily with tap water, consider switching to filtered, distilled, or dechlorinated water. "If using tap water, let it sit out for 24 hours before watering to allow chlorine to dissipate," says Funk.

Rootbound Conditions

When was the last time you repotted your peace lily? If it's been a few years, it may be the reason your plant is drooping. "When peace lily outgrows its pot, the roots can become tightly packed and circle the container," says Funk. "This limits how much water and nutrients the plant can absorb, causing leaves to wilt or weaken."

To save your plant, gently remove it from its pot and check the roots. "If they’re tightly wound, repot into a container one size larger with fresh soil," Funk says.

Repotting Shock

Don't be surprised if your peace lily continues to droop after repotting. "After being moved to a new pot, peace lilies may experience temporary stress," says Funk. "Their roots need time to adjust to the new soil conditions, which can disrupt water uptake and lead to drooping leaves."

To ease the transition, Funk recommends keeping the soil lightly moist and avoiding fertilizer for a few weeks. It can take the plant one to two weeks to recover.