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Why Are My Peace Lily Leaves Turning Black – 5 Reasons

The peace lily is the easiest plant to grow. It has been recognized as one of the best indoor plants for improving air quality. Plus, it blooms very well throughout the year.

Large, glossy leaves of peace lily are emerald green. Tall flowers develop throughout the year as long as the plants get enough light. It has a large white spar or hood that is a modified leaf.

The center of the prong has which thorn of small flowers, which protect the midrib. As its colors age, they turn green. Along with the standard green leaf variety, there are several different varieties of peace lilies with a splash of cream or streaks of cream in the center of the leaves.

At times you will find the peace lily leaves turning black. Continue reading this article to know why are my peace lily leaves turning black.

Why Are My Peace Lily Leaves Turning Black
“[Advice] Peace Lily leaves going black” via Reddit

Why Are My Peace Lily Leaves Turning Black?

1. Improper watering

My peace lily leaves turn black because of improper watering. The water level should always be balanced when watering peace lily.

Under and over watering has drastic effects on the leaves. Peace lilies come from tropical forests, so they need regular watering. They are not a friend of under-watering.

If you do not water these plants, the earth will dry up, and the plants will die. Although overwatering makes the soil overloaded with water, excessive moisture will suffocate the roots and soak the soil.

The roots will lose their function, and insufficient nutrients will be transported to the upper part of the plant, making the leaves black.

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2. Fungal infections

High humidity attracts fungal diseases to the leaves of the peace lily. The signs usually appear as brown or black spots. Fungi, such as Cercospora fungi flourish when the leaves are kept moist, and the soil is too wet. Cercospora forms dark gray circles with a yellow in the center.

There is the phyllosostical fungus, which forms harmful leaf spots. Typically, the leaves develop purple or reddish borders. Also, Rhizoctonia fungus leads on the leaves. This fungus creates several holes alternating with yellow circles. You can notice some parallel leaves’ spots.

3. Age factor

The peace lily grows into new leaves but sheds the old ones. There is evidence that the plant will soon shed its old leaves. The leaves begin to darken at the ends, which is a natural process.

Then, the leaves start to fall, and the new leaves sprout to replace them. The old black leaves can be pruned from the plant base. Make sure to use sterile scissors when pruning and cut them from the stem. Also, you need to avoid pruning the new leaves.

Why Are My Peace Lily Leaves Turning Black 2
“My Peace Lily’s leaves are turning black!” via Reddit

4. Excessive fertilization

Fertilizers are made up of mineral ions, which assist the peace lily in flourishing. The primary ions, such as potassium, copper, and magnesium, are essential for plant growth.

But if any of the minerals are in excess, it can damage the plant leaves. When nitrogen is available in large amounts in fertilizers, it will change the pH of the soil. The soil will turn acidic.

The roots will not absorb salts, and the imbalance in chemicals can affect the roots. Soluble salts begin to gather in the soil after excessive fertilization.

The soil environment is also a result of this. Soluble salts in fertilizers help to nourish the leaves. Then, the salts are combined with water to nourish various parts of a peace lily. Typically, the salts will no longer be available if fertilization is added to dry soil, causing the leaves to turn black and dry.

5. Root rot

Root rot is also another reason that causes the peace lily leaves to turn black. Root rot is caused by a fungus that lives in the soil. It is mainly due to waterlogged soil or excessive fertilization. If there is overwatering on a peace lily, the wet soil will cause the roots to rot.

The soggy soil damages the roots and makes them susceptible to fungal infections. Also, salt accumulation leads to the same result. This will prevent the peace lily from growing and nutrients circulating correctly, leading to leaves turning black.

How To Grow Peace Lilies In Aquariums To Prevent Leaves From Turning Black

The first step is to create a lid from a plastic plant tray to support the peace lily. Use the scissors or a sharp knife to trim the tray of the plant so that it fits closely against the openings without falling through.

Cut a hole at the center of the plastic. The hole should be about a quarter in size but probably no larger than a silver dollar, depending on the size of the root mass.

Thoroughly rinse decorative rocks or gravel (again, without soap) and position them at the bottom of your aquarium. Pour room temperature distilled water into the aquarium, up to about 2 inches from the rim. 

You can also use tap water, but be sure to add de-chlorinating water available from pet stores. Remove the soil from the roots of the peace lily. 

While you can do this in a sink, the easiest way is to fill a large bucket with water and then gently rinse the lily roots in water until all of the soil has been removed.

After removing the dirt, trim the roots carefully and evenly so that they do not touch the bottom of the tank. Pass the roots through the plastic lid so that the peace lily plant is on top and the roots are on the bottom. 

This is where you add more if you choose to do so. Insert the lid into the aquarium so that the roots dangle in the water.

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Peace Lily Care

Peace lily will die in moist soil, so use well-drained soil and let the plants dry out a bit between watering. The plant does well with an occasional dose of slow-release fertilizer. 

Over-fertilization makes them prone to leaf burn, resulting in yellowing and eventually darkening the leaf tips. This is the result of too much salt in the soil. 

Avoid too much salt by flushing the soil frequently until water is clear. Also, plant the peace lily about once a year and remove old dirt as possible. When transplanting, make sure you only go up one or two pot sizes.

Indoors, peace lily works best in bright and indirect light. However, it can grow well in low light conditions. 

Keep in mind that in low light conditions, flowering decreases, and plants become a little less habitual. To keep the plant looking its best, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth from time to time to prevent dust from accumulating.


Conclusion

The peace lily is an important plant that can be used in décor to transform any environment and bring a touch of green to a decorative project. The plant has a very suitable look as it combines beauty and mildew.

In addition to being an ornamental plant, the peace lily still holds great importance, associated with mystical power. The plant sucks out the bad energies present in the environment. Typically, there are several reasons why my peace lily leaves turn black, so you have complete information with this article.