How To Save A Sunburnt Peace Lily

Ah, the peace lily—a favorite among plant lovers for its elegant leaves and graceful white spathes. But what happens when your cherished peace lily gets a little too much sun and ends up looking a bit crispy? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and there’s hope for your sunburnt plant. We’re about to dive into some practical and friendly advice for reviving your peace lily and getting it back to its lush self.

In this article, we’ll walk through recognizing the signs of sunburn in peace lilies, how to care for a sunburnt plant, and tips to prevent future sun damage. We’ll also cover the basics of peace lily care to ensure your plant thrives. Let’s give your peace lily the TLC it deserves!

Recognizing Sunburn in Peace Lilies

First things first—let’s identify what sunburn looks like on a peace lily. If you’ve ever spent a little too much time in the sun yourself, you know how uncomfortable sunburn can be. Plants feel it too, but they show it a bit differently. Peace lilies are particularly sensitive to light, and their leaves can develop brown spots or edges when exposed to too much direct sunlight.

Here are some telltale signs that your peace lily might be sunburnt:

• Brown or Yellow Patches: Leaves may have brown or yellow patches, often with a crispy texture.
• Scorched Edges: The edges of the leaves may turn brown and dry, looking a bit like burnt toast.
• Drooping Leaves: While this can also be a sign of underwatering, sunburn can cause leaves to droop as well.
• Leaf Curling: You might notice the leaves curling inward or downward.

If you notice these symptoms, don’t panic. It’s time to take action and help your peace lily recover.

Immediate Steps to Take

Once you’ve identified that your peace lily is sunburnt, there are a few immediate steps you can take to start the healing process. Think of it as giving your plant some first aid.

Move It to a Shadier Spot

The first thing you should do is move your peace lily away from direct sunlight. Peace lilies prefer bright, indirect light, and too much direct sun can be harsh. Find a spot in your home where the light is filtered, like near a north or east-facing window.

Trim the Damaged Leaves

Next, grab a pair of clean scissors and carefully trim away the worst of the damaged leaves. This might seem drastic, but it helps the plant focus its energy on new growth rather than trying to repair damaged tissue. Cut the leaf off at the base, close to the soil, to prevent leaving any dead material that could lead to rot.

Hydrate Your Plant

Sunburn can cause plants to lose water more quickly, so make sure your peace lily is well-hydrated. Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, give your plant a good drink, but avoid overwatering. Peace lilies like their soil to be consistently moist, but not soggy.

Adjusting Your Watering Routine

Now that we’ve addressed the immediate care, let’s talk about adjusting your watering routine to help your peace lily recover and thrive. Peace lilies are pretty forgiving when it comes to watering, but they do have preferences.

Consistent Moisture is Key

Peace lilies like their soil to be evenly moist. This doesn’t mean they should sit in water—rather, aim for a consistent level of moisture. Water your plant when the top inch of soil feels dry. You can use your finger to test this or invest in a moisture meter for more accuracy.

Be Mindful of Water Quality

Peace lilies can be sensitive to chemicals in tap water, such as chlorine and fluoride. If you notice brown tips on healthy leaves, your water quality might be to blame. Consider using distilled water, rainwater, or let your tap water sit out overnight to allow chemicals to evaporate before using it on your plants.

Avoid Overwatering

While it’s important to keep your peace lily hydrated, overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a more serious issue. Make sure your pot has good drainage, and be cautious not to let your plant sit in standing water. If you’re unsure, it’s better to slightly underwater than overwater.

Providing the Right Light Conditions

Since sunburn was the initial problem, let’s make sure your peace lily is getting just the right amount of light from now on. Peace lilies thrive in bright, indirect light, but they can tolerate lower light conditions as well.

Finding the Perfect Spot

The ideal location for a peace lily is near a window where it can enjoy bright, filtered light. East-facing windows are great because they provide morning sunlight, which is less intense. If your windows tend to get a lot of direct sunlight, consider using sheer curtains to diffuse the light.

Artificial Light Options

If your home doesn’t have the best natural light, don’t worry! Peace lilies can adapt to artificial light as well. A fluorescent light or a grow light can supplement natural light, especially during the darker months of the year. Just make sure the light is not too close to the plant, as even artificial light can cause leaf burn if it’s too intense.

Rotate Your Plant

To ensure even growth, rotate your peace lily every few weeks. This prevents the plant from leaning towards one light source and helps it grow in a balanced, symmetrical shape.

Feeding Your Peace Lily

While your peace lily is in recovery mode, feeding it a little extra nutrition can be beneficial. However, you’ll want to be gentle with this process to avoid overwhelming your plant.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer

Peace lilies don’t require a lot of fertilizer, but a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer can help promote healthy growth. Look for one with an even ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (like a 10-10-10 formula).

When to Fertilize

During the growing season (spring and summer), fertilize your peace lily once a month. In the fall and winter, you can cut back to every six to eight weeks or stop altogether, since the plant’s growth naturally slows down during this time.

Avoid Over-Fertilizing

Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to salt buildup in the soil and damage the roots. If you notice white crusts forming on the soil surface, it might be time for a soil flush. To do this, thoroughly water the plant to leach out excess salts, making sure the pot has good drainage.

Understanding Humidity Needs

Peace lilies are native to tropical regions, so they thrive in higher humidity environments. If your home is on the dry side, especially during winter, you might need to boost the humidity for your peace lily.

Increasing Humidity

There are several ways to increase humidity around your peace lily:

• Mist the Leaves: Lightly misting the leaves with water can help increase humidity. Just be sure the leaves have time to dry before nightfall to prevent mildew.
• Use a Humidity Tray: Place a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water under your peace lily’s pot. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant.
• Group Plants Together: Grouping your plants can create a mini microclimate with higher humidity.

Using a Humidifier

If you have several humidity-loving plants, investing in a humidifier can be a game changer. Set it up near your plants, and they’ll thank you for the extra moisture in the air.

Preventing Future Sunburn

Now that your peace lily is on the road to recovery, let’s talk about preventing sunburn from happening again. A little bit of planning goes a long way in keeping your plant healthy and happy.

Monitor Light Levels

Regularly check the light levels in your plant’s environment, especially if you’ve moved it to a new spot. Changes in the season can also affect the amount of light coming through your windows. Adjust your plant’s location as needed to ensure it’s getting the right amount of light.

Use Sheer Curtains

If your peace lily is near a window with direct sunlight, consider using sheer curtains to diffuse the light. This can reduce the intensity of the sun’s rays and help protect your plant from getting burnt.

Be Observant

Keep an eye on your plant’s leaves. If you notice any new signs of sunburn or stress, it might be time to adjust its environment again. Being attentive to your plant’s needs is the best way to prevent issues from escalating.

Overall Peace Lily Care Tips

While we’ve focused on sunburn recovery, there are some general care tips that will help your peace lily thrive year-round. Peace lilies are relatively low-maintenance, making them perfect for both new and experienced plant parents.

Repotting Your Peace Lily

Peace lilies prefer to be slightly root-bound, so they don’t need frequent repotting. However, if you notice roots coming out of the drainage holes, it might be time for a new home. Choose a pot that’s only one size larger, and use a well-draining potting mix to keep the roots healthy.

Cleaning the Leaves

Dust can accumulate on peace lily leaves, blocking sunlight and reducing the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to keep them clean and shiny.

Checking for Pests

While peace lilies aren’t particularly prone to pests, it’s always a good idea to check for any unwanted visitors. Look for signs of spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs. If you find any, a gentle spray of insecticidal soap should do the trick.

Final Thoughts

Reviving a sunburnt peace lily might take a little patience and care, but it’s definitely doable. By recognizing the signs of sunburn, adjusting your plant’s environment, and providing consistent care, your peace lily will be on its way to recovery in no time. Remember, every plant parent learns through experience, so don’t be too hard on yourself.

If you’re looking to add more greenery to your space or need plant care advice, Cafe Planta is here to help. We offer a wide variety of houseplants and plant care accessories to support you on your plant journey. Feel free to reach out via email or Instagram. We’re excited to help you create a thriving plant collection in your home!