Delicate and elegant, peace lilies symbolize tranquillity and harmony, gracing homes and offices with lush green leaves and pristine white flowers.
Yet, amid these flowers’ serenity, a disconcerting transformation can occur that puzzles many plant enthusiasts: the once-vibrant white petals of the peace lily plant turn brown mysteriously.
Even in the plant world, where things seem quiet, unexpected changes can happen. Although it might be normal in some cases as peace lily’s flowers turn brown at the end of their life cycle, at the same time, it could be of concern because the flowers sometimes turn brown prematurely.
So, if you’re wondering, ‘Is my peace lily flower turning brown prematurely?’, we have the answers you’re looking for in this article. From the science behind it to the TLC your plant might need, we’ll unlock the reasons behind those enigmatic brown blooms. Get your gardening gloves on because we’re about to get to the root of its cause.
Peace Lily Plant- A short insight
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.) are a captivating addition to many homes and offices, belonging to the Araceae family and native to the tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia.
These plants are instantly recognizable by their glossy, dark green lance-shaped leaves and distinctive blooms. At first glance, many mistake the white, sometimes greenish-white spathe surrounding the central spike or spadix for the flower, but the spadix itself is the true bloom.
Peace lilies are relatively easy to care for. They’re aesthetically pleasing and offer the added benefit of improving indoor air quality.
Blooming Phase of Peace Lilies
Flowers have a very short lifespan. They wither away in a while, and the color on them fades. Some flowers have a longer lifespan, but that is not by a big percentage.
Your peace lily flowers can, in some cases, last up to a month if you take extra special care of them. However, they will likely fade in around 10-14 days. Once the flowers lose their bloom, the entire peace lily plant enters a phase where it loses its bloom. This phase can last up to a year.
If you have your peace lilies indoors, they will probably bloom in the early summer or spring. If you’re lucky, the plant will flower twice a year. The plants don’t have the energy to support the flowers on them for a long period of time.
If you’re careful, you will surely see your peace lily blooming again!
External Reasons For Peace Lily Flowers Turning Brown
In other cases, when it’s not their short lifespan, the peace lily flowers might turn brown sooner than normal due to inadequate plant care.
If there’s a lot of stress on the plant, it may divert its energy away from the flowers. The plant does this to preserve foliage.
So what puts stress on the plant?
Over-Watering
Over-watering is a big reason for brown leaf tips and flowers. Using a well-draining soil mix, you must ensure that your peace lilies remain hydrated without crossing into the waterlogging territory.
Prolonged exposure to excess water can prove detrimental, potentially leading to a plant’s death or a weakened state, causing it to shed its delicate blossoms prematurely. Balancing moisture levels is key to nurturing a thriving and vibrant peace lily.
Too Much Light
The peace lily plant is a low-light indoor plant. It cannot tolerate direct sun. You have to keep them around 3-5 feet back away from the sun so they do not receive direct sunlight. You can also place them in a window which faces north, so they don’t get bright light and become stressed at any time.
Under-watering
Probably even more damaging than over-watering. Watering your peace lily flowers in small quantities can cause brown tips sooner than usual.
Proper care of your peace lily involves maintaining consistently moist soil, ensuring it remains hydrated without being water-logged. Use a pot with drainage holes, so the excess water can drain away.
Some Other Reasons
In normal cases, peace lily flowers turn brown because of natural aging. Care-related reasons are not a common reason for brown flowers in peace lily plant. This is because if proper care weren’t taken of the plant, the plant wouldn’t bloom in the first place!
Another reason for this could be moving your plant to a different location when it starts flowering. In addition to this, if you change your watering routine, that may also cause the flowers to die early.
Once your peace lily begins to bloom, try to keep it in the same place and don’t make any big changes that might cause the flowers to die.
Ways to Make The Flowers Last Longer
The plant’s maturity is the time of flowering. Immature plants don’t produce flowers. However, there are some catalysts to speed up the process. Commercial growers are known to use gibberellic acid.
Gibberellic acid is a natural plant hormone. It basically forces the immature plant to bloom before its time. This way, they can sell them earlier in time by increasing their appeal to their customers.
This means that when the flowers come home from the nursery, they are probably not fully mature. Once the flowers die, you might have to wait another year for new flowers or even two before the plant blooms.
You are not recommended to use gibberellic acid to force the peace lily bloom. This is hazardous for the plant’s health; in extreme conditions, peace lily dies. To make the plant healthy, we should give the plant an optimum environment to bloom.
Tips to Make The Peace Lily Flower Last Longer
Proper Watering:
Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. This will keep the soil moist. While overwatering and underwatering can cause the plant to unnecessary stress and drop its flowers.
Always use spring or distilled water but remember not to use tap water. Tap water is not healthy for plants. It is observed that the tap water in many regions contains high amounts of chemicals, like fluoride and chlorine, that can hurt the plant.
Water plants, ensuring the it reaches the bottom of the pot, but make sure the pot has drainage to prevent root rot. To check the moisture, use a soil moisture meter.
Light Conditions:
Keep the potted plant in bright, indirect light. Just provide them enough light to grow well. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause brown patches on its leaves.
If the plant isn’t blooming, it might need more light. However, if its leaves turn yellow or brown, it might be receiving too much light.
Proper Humidity:
These indoor plants, like peace lilies, thrive in higher humidity. If your home is dry, consider placing a humidifier near the plant or placing the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water. The evaporating water will increase humidity around the plant.
Temperature:
Peace Lilies grow temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Avoid placing the plant near drafts, vents, or windows that might expose it to cold regions.
Fertilizing:
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season (typically spring and summer). Do not use too much fertilizer, as it can cause brown leaf tips.
Pruning:
Regularly remove dead flowers or dead plant leaves with pruning shears. After a flower starts to die, trim it off to encourage new growth.
Repotting:
Repot your Peace Lily if it becomes root-bound or if the soil appears exhausted. Typically, repotting every 2-3 years is beneficial.
Cleaning:
Dust can accumulate on the leaves, reducing their ability to photosynthesize. Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth periodically.
Good Quality Soil:
Use a well-draining potting mix, preferably one made for a tropical plant, like peace lily.
Minimize Stress:
Consistent care is key. Dramatic changes in care or environment can cause the plant to become stressed, leading to fewer flowers or dropping buds, eventually dying.
Removing The Brown Flowers
When your peace lily flowers turn brown, you should remove them from the plant to keep it in good health.
Follow the flower stalk down to the base of the plant and then cut it from there. You can use a sharp pair of shears or a pair of kitchen scissors.
Don’t try pulling the flower stalk to remove the brown flower. This can damage the plant or even make it all come out!
Give the plant a few months, and it will bloom again. This depends on the health of the plant and the environmental conditions.
Finally
Peace lily flowers usually don’t even last that long. If you want them to last longer, follow the tips in this article for better plant health.
But do remember, all flowers eventually die. Do not be disheartened by the brown flowers, and keep taking good care of your peace lily.
I hope this article answers your question of why do peace lily flowers turn brown. If you need additional help, you can reach out to us on the email given below.
Good luck!