Brown Tips on a Peace Lily
Peace lilies are relatively hardy, low-maintenance plants to grow. When healthy, they produce white flowers and large, dark-green leaves. The presence of brown tips at the ends of the leaves indicates a minor health problem with the growing environment of the peace lily that should be corrected so that plant continues growing. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Causes
-
Some of the causes of brown tips appearing on peace lilies include problems with the growing environment, such as the amount of light or water the peace lily receives. These factors play a key role in how healthy the leaves are. Soil conditions and pest problems also have a big impact on the health of a peace lily and can affect the appearance of the leaves, leading to brown tips or yellowing leaves over time.
Sunlight and Water
-
Peace lilies are low-light plants that should not be grown in direct or full sunlight, as it dries the plant out too quickly and causes it to become dehydrated and weak. This leads to brown tips forming at the ends of the leaves, which are farthest from the water and nutrients provided by the soil. Water the peace lily regularly to keep the top inch of soil moist; too little moisture dehydrates the plant.
-
Soil Conditions
-
The soil a peace lily is grown in affects how healthy its leaves and flowers are. A lack of nutrients in a garden or planter will lead to weak growth, one of the symptoms of which can be brown-tipped leaves. Supply the peace lily with fertilizer designed for flowers at the beginning of its growth cycle to ensure the soil feeds the plant with the necessary nutrients. Mix the fertilizer into the soil so it reaches the roots.
Pest Problems
-
Aphids, mites and other pests can cause problems for peace lilies. Scale insects, mites and aphids feed on the leaves of their host plants, draining them of sap and weakening the plant; yellowing leaves with brown tips can be an indicator of a pest problem requiring attention. The application of a mild pesticide or miticide helps control the population of mites and aphids on a peace lily, restoring the plant to health.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Valueline/Getty Images
