Hello there, I've had my peace lily for just under a year now, and didn't notice how unhealthy it was until i got a new one. The leaves are spindly and scraggly, they're also yellowing and have lost that waxy feel, the flowers are coming through but are deformed and very small, the spiky ball in the middle hardly comes through at all. (sorry for lack of scientific names. The leaves are also very small and thin, I shall attach a picture for better troubleshooting. (sorry for bad picture quality, done with webcam) Thanks alot in advance. Abbie.
The plant is an aroid and generally looks healthy. Aroids are plants that reproduce via the production of a spathe and spadix. If given the right conditions (bright light and evenly damp soil that is never soggy) the spadix will produce tiny flowers, and if pollinated can produce seeds. The spathe is a modified leaf and not is a flower as many websites often claim. Quite a bit of the information given on the care of this genus does not jive with the way it grows in nature. Some garden websites have finally realized this and are now beginning to give advice based on the plant's natural growing conditions. This may provide you with some insight on how to "perk it up." http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Spathiphyllum Clevelandii pc.htm
I only asked, cause it looks terrible compared to my new one. after reading th site you gave me, I think it might have been due to the fact I let it get totally dry before rewatering, maybe that's what has thrown it off a bit. I'll try watering it more often...would size of pot have anything to do with it, cause I think it's a bit on the small side? Thanks alot for your help
In most cases a 12 inch pot is quite adequate. If the plant really begins to grow it will eventually overflow the pot and then it will need something larger. Don't forget to give the Spathiphyllum some magnesium (Epsom's salt) once a month as well as bright light. Right at an east or west window is great, South window during the winter.
well my pots about 4 inches lol, So I should probably sort that. And I've got a massive east facing window stretching the whole length of my room, so light isn't an issue lol. Ima re-pot it and try the magnesium, see if it perks up. Thanks alot :)
If you want to keep it really happy mix up the new soil rather than use off the shelf mix. The exact mixture is not critical but we use roughly 40% potting mix combined with 20% high quality peat moss, 20% orchid potting media containing charcoal, hard wood and gravel. Schultz mix is fine. The balance 10% Perlite™ with added cypress mulch and finely shredded pieces of sphagnum moss.
