7 Reasons Your Peace Lily Is Drooping, Plus How to Perk Up Your Plant Again

Peace lilies are known to be forgiving houseplants. They’ll tolerate some neglect, an absentminded watering schedule, and less-than-ideal light. But when your plant starts drooping, it’s time to pay more attention. This guide will help you get to the bottom of why your peace lily is drooping and provides tips for correcting the situation to save your plant.

1. Too Little Water

Most often, when a peace lily is drooping, it needs water. When plants run low on moisture, they lose pressure in their cells, known as turgor. The decrease in turgor makes leaves and stems droop and wilt. If it’s been a while since you last watered your peace lily, check the soil first by using your finger to feel down to a depth of 1 inch. If it’s dry, water the plant immediately. If it’s moist, you likely have another issue going on.

2. Hydrophobic Soil

Ordinarily, you should add water to a houseplant until it trickles out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. However, sometimes water runs out of the bottom of the pot after you have only added a small amount. This may lead you to think you’ve watered enough when, in reality, the plant needs much more. This is happening because the potting soil is so dehydrated that it becomes hard and hydrophobic (repelling water).

If water almost immediately runs out of the drainage holes but the soil still feels dry when you stick your finger in, try this: 

• Set the plant in the sink and allow room-temperature water to run slowly into the pot for a few minutes. Use a gentle stream so the soil isn’t washed out of the pot.
• Eventually, you’ll notice the soil change. As it absorbs water, it will feel wet as deeply as you can push your finger. Lift the pot, and it will feel much heavier. 
• Allow the plant to drain for half an hour, then return it to its usual spot.

Rehydrating the potting soil in the sink not only ensures the plant gets a good, long soaking but also helps flush accumulated salts (from fertilizer and impurities in the water) out of the pot.

3. Too Much Water

An overwatered peace lily can also start drooping. If the soil is continuously saturated from overwatering, oxygen can’t reach the roots, and they begin to suffocate, which prevents them from functioning properly.

If you suspect your peace lily is suffering from overwatering, ensure the drainage holes in the pot are functioning properly. Empty the saucer of any standing water and wait to water again until the soil feels slightly dry to the touch. In extreme cases, you may need to remove the plant from the pot, wash off the muddy mess, and repot in fresh potting soil.

4. Root Rot

Root rot caused by bacteria or fungi can also cause a drooping peace lily. In this case, it isn’t the lack of water in the soil making your plant wilt, but instead the inability to bring the water up into the stems and leaves. The roots aren’t functioning correctly. Root rots occur in wet soil and continuously damp conditions.

Remove the plant from its pot and examine the roots. Healthy roots are tan or creamy, white, and firm. Roots that are dark brown, black, mushy, or smelly indicate root rot. 

Take the plant to the sink or outdoors and wash off all the soil. Then trim all the rotten roots off with sharp snips and dispose of them in the trash. Repot the plant in fresh potting soil in a sanitized pot with good drainage.

5. Too Much Light

Peace lilies can tolerate lower light levels than many other houseplants. Some morning rays hitting the leaves are okay, but too much direct sunlight should be avoided.

If your peace lily is drenched in afternoon sunlight every day, it may start to show signs of distress and droop. Move the plant a bit farther from the window to limit sun exposure.

6. Nutrient Deficiencies

While less common, peace lilies can eventually exhaust the supply of nutrients in their potting soil and start drooping as a result. However, this usually will first cause yellowing leaves.

A severe nutrient deficiency is most likely due to old potting soil, which also makes it water-repelling. If your peace lily hasn’t been repotted in several years, it’s time for a refresh. Repot it with fresh potting soil in a clean pot, add a little slow-release granular fertilizer, and it should perk up. 

7. Recent Repotting

Peace lilies that have been divided or repotted recently may look droopy. Their root systems have been disturbed and somewhat damaged, and they may need time to recover from transplant shock, even though the soil moisture is adequate.

Keep up regular watering whenever the soil feels dry, provide bright but indirect light, and they’ll soon return to their usual perky selves.