Hello, Can anyone tell me why the tip of the leaves on my peace lily are brown? It is just the very tips of the leaves and seems to be on new leaves as well as existing leaves? I love this plant and am worried that I might be killing it. It did take me a couple of weeks to figure out how I should be watering. I bottom water about every 3-4 days, when I notice the leaves just beginning to droop. It gets plenty of filtered light and was recently transplanted to a bigger pot with fresh soil that claims to feed it nutrients for three months. What am I doing wrong? Thank you, Karen
The leaf tip browning is not uncommon with aroid species. And your spathe is an aroid. Aroids produce an inflorescence known as a spathe and that is what most people call a "flower" on your plant. In truth, it is simply a modified leaf and is used as the reproductive portion of the plant. The real flowers will grow along the spadix at the center of that inflorescence and are quite tiny. Most aroids enjoy having their roots damp, but never wet. So your watering system is OK but might need modifying. Frequently plants like the one you are growing, which is almost certainly a hybridized form of Spathiphyllum, enjoy being really wet. They just don't enjoy staying wet. Your leaf tips may be telling you they are still "thirsty". Ideally, you should have it potted in fast draining soil. Something like the "moisture control" soil mixes will work well. Those contain a gel that soaks up the excess water and releases it back as needed. Personally, I prefer to make a "jungle mix" which includes extra peat moss, orchid potting media containing both gravel and charcoal, and Perlite™. That mixture drains very quickly. In my office, I water the spaths about once a week and they stay happy and produce plenty of inflorescences. But as you noted, the drooping of the leaves is a good indicator the plant is "thirsty". I don't try to grow Spathiphyllum in my tropical atrium because it is always too wet in there for these species. There have been some good discussions on this plant species on this site. I suggest you do a search for Spathiphyllum and read several of the threads. As for the browning tips, just nip them off with a pair of scissors. If you keep the plant evenly moist, but not soggy, they should not continue to be a major problem.
Do you have a heater/air conditioner on over there. Maybe it might be a lack of humidity as well?? Ed
