Brown-Tipped Peace Lily: Common Causes and Solutions

Peace lilies, with their long, pointed oval leaves and beautiful flowers, are a popular choice for many indoor plant enthusiasts. However, these plants can sometimes develop brown tips on their leaves, which can be concerning for owners.

There are several common causes for brown tips on peace lilies. Improper cultural care, such as overwatering, using water with high fluoride content, or excess fertilizer, are common culprits. Too little humidity can also cause brown leaf tips, while too much sunlight can lead to the same issue. Temperature fluctuations can also contribute to this problem, as peace lilies prefer stable temperatures.

It's important to differentiate between plant problems caused by diseases (biotic) and those caused by environmental factors (abiotic). Brown spots on the tips of your peace star flower (Friedensternblume) are often caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or fungal infections. However, fungal diseases are less likely to affect indoor peace lilies due to lack of high humidity, wind, or splashing water.

To prevent brown tips on peace lilies, it's best to avoid using tap water containing fluoride or any type of water softener. Using rainwater instead can help. Reducing the amount of fertilizer provided to peace lilies can also be beneficial. If you suspect that your peace lily has too much fertilizer in its soil, repotting the plant can help clear the fertilizer salts. Flushing the soil with bottled drinking water multiple times can also help remove these salts.

Teo Spengler, a master gardener and a docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, has studied horticulture and written about nature, trees, plants, and gardening for over two decades. According to Spengler, cutting damaged leaves off of peace lilies is a good idea to allow new growth. Placing the plant on a pebble saucer with water can help increase humidity, which can also be beneficial for peace lilies.

It's worth noting that attempting to encourage new growth by applying fertilizer during the winter months when days are short and light is poor is counterproductive for most houseplants. This includes peace lilies. Instead, allowing the plant to rest during the winter months can help promote healthy growth in the spring.

By understanding the common causes of brown tips on peace lilies and taking the appropriate steps to address these issues, you can help keep your peace lily healthy and thriving.