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Why is My Peace Lily Drooping – Know 4 Causes!

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Peace lilies are beautiful houseplants that are relatively easy to grow and take care of. They are also ideal for people who aren’t that familiar with plants and can commit only little maintenance and care.

While peace lilies are generally low-maintenance plants, you might notice your peace lily drooping over time. It might be drooping to one side or the other without much encouragement from you.

This can be concerning to new owners of peace lilies, but there are plenty of reasons why your peace lily might be drooping. So, you might want to know why is my peace lily drooping.

The tendency to lean to one side is normal in peace lilies. It doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is wrong with your plant. But if your peace lily droops even when it’s placed in ideal conditions, there might be something to worry about.

However, when you do notice problems with your peace lily, it can be hard to figure out what’s causing the problem. So here are some reasons to answer your problem, “Why is my peace lily drooping?”.

So, let’s get started.

Why is My Peace Lily Drooping
Peace lily drooping – via Reddit

Reasons That Answer Why is My Peace Lily Drooping

1)    Excessive Direct Sunlight

If your peace lily is drooping, exposure to direct sunlight might be the thing that answers you why is my peace lily drooping. Excessive exposure to the sun will burn your peace lily. While some plants can tolerate full sunlight, peace lilies do not thrive in these conditions.

When your peace lily gets too much sunlight, its leaves can droop or fall off. This is one of the most common reasons for a droopy peace lily.

The plant requires at least five hours of indirect sun per day. So place it near a bright window but not in direct sunlight. The best place for your peace lily is on a north-facing windowsill or outside in the partial shade.

If you’re growing it outside during the summer months, avoid planting it directly in the ground; instead, stick it in a hanging pot that hangs over your balcony to ensure enough protection from direct sun.

If possible, keep it out of direct sunlight altogether. Also, be sure to rotate pots from time to time so that no one side of the plant gets more light than others.

2)    Too Much or Too Little Water

The peace lily is generally a hardy houseplant, but it does have its share of common problems. Peace lilies do not die easily, but they require proper watering.

Watering too little or too much will cause them to droop. Perhaps most commonly, many people new to growing peace lilies forget to water them regularly.

In fact, a lack of water is one of the most common reasons for droopy peace lilies. The plant should be watered about once every five days during its active growth stage.

Without sufficient water, their leaves will droop and turn yellow and brown; in extreme cases, they may even drop off entirely. You can find out if your plant needs more water by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil.

If it’s dry down past that point, you need to water more often. Make sure you give your peace lily enough water to keep it healthy and happy.

Are you watering your peace lily too much? Over-watering is also a common reason for droopy peace lilies. In general, plants should be watered when dry, not every time they need it. If the soil is moist when you stick your finger, you can wait to water your plant.  

Why is My Peace Lily Drooping 2
How can we revive our drooping peace lily – via Reddit

3)    Improper Potting Soil

Potting soil is often filled with fertilizers, nutrients, and water that are too much for your peace lily to handle. Many plants sold at nurseries thrive in moist soil, so it’s tempting to buy regular potting soil for your houseplants.

However, potting soils typically contain peat, which tends to be far too wet for peace lilies and other tropical plants. Your plant’s roots may grow mouldy or even rot if you use regular potting soil.

Instead, opt for one specifically made for succulents or cacti. Alternatively, try using half potting soil and half perlite. Perlite allows water to flow through freely without becoming saturated but also promotes aeration.

When you water your plant with perlite mixed into its potting medium, excess water runs straight out instead of seeping into the roots, leaving no chance of mould or root rot in the plant.

4)    Pests & Diseases

Various pests and diseases infecting a plant is also something to look upon while seeking answers to why is my peace lily drooping.

Some of the pests infesting peace lily are Mealybugs, Scale Insects, Aphids and Spider Mites. These insects suck out nutrients from roots and leaves, which results in stunted growth or yellowing foliage. They suck sap from stems causing them to weaken thus droop towards the ground.

 If these pests spread over a large area, plants may even die.

Some diseases affecting peace lily are Root Rot, Rhizome Rot, Stem Blight, Leaf Spot and Powdery Mildew. Root rot appears when a plant grows in poorly drained soils or uses too much water that promotes dampness in soil.

The leaves turn yellow and start dying from the bottom up on droopy peace lilies infected with these diseases. Though, many of these common houseplant diseases are preventable with proper care.

Watch This Video If Your Peace Lily Is Drooping


Conclusion

Various reasons can answer you why is my peace lily drooping. Among them, exposure to direct sunlight, overwatering, underwatering, improper potting soil, pests and diseases are the most common. They make the peace lily droop in one or the other way.

You can check the soil where your peace lily grows to make sure it’s not dry or wet, and soggy. This helps you avoid overwatering as well as underwatering your plant.

Also, use proper soil potting to grow well and keep your plant away from pests and diseases, making it droopy. Also, keep your peace lily away from direct sunlight for a long period. These precautions can help your peace lily stand upright and again start growing beautifully.