Ask the Expert: how to repot a peace lilly? i have a peace lilly about 11 years old. tryed to repot it and it stop growing. i tried seperating it into two. i think i made a bad mistate. i need help

thanks Thelma

Reply:

The nice thing about peace lilies is that they are pretty tough. First, anytime you separate a peace lily it goes through a little shock. This shock will keep the plant from growing temporarily. So, if it has only been a week give it time. If it has been longer then we need to look at a few other factors. When you repot a plant it is important to keep the top of the root ball at the same depth as it was originally. If you planted it deep (add soil to the top of the rootball not just at the sides), it will cause problems. In this case you will need to lift the plant up — you will need to take the plant out of the container and shake the extra dirt off the top and place it back in the container filling to close the gap between the plant and the container. At this point the plant needs to be watered in and kept moist but not soggy. If you have been watering because it looks droopy – stop! Water is not the problem transplant shock is and the plant needs rest not more water.

If you are still not sure what is going on, send me a picture of the peace lily and I will try to help.

Ask the Expert: Peach Lilly is droopy.
My husband received a peace lily as a gift.  It is in a basket type pot with no hole in the bottom.  The plant is very heavy and I am continuing to spray the leaves but it is drooping like it needs water.  It is extremely heavy so I don\’t think it needs water.  Should I repot it in a pot that has drainage or is this a typical way to plant these; in a pot that is plastic lined and not drainage in the pot?  Don\’t want to loose the plant. JoyLynn

Reply:

A peace lily will wilt when over watered as well as when it is under watered.  In your case, you are right in your assumption that the peace lily doesn’t need more water.  Since your pot doesn’t drain, the roots are probably way too wet.  You can do one of two things – repot it into a container that has drain holes or change the conditions in the existing pot.  If you like the pot it can in, simply take the plant out and place rocks in the bottom of the pot; then put the plant back in the pot.  You will still have to be careful not to over water the peace lily.  However, the rocks will help to keep the roots from drowning. Once you have correct the problem the peace lily such make a full recovery.

Ask the Expert: Peace lily is drooping
My son repotted by year old peace lily. He never does what I ask, but always does what I do not ask:o) Anyway, he repotted the plant, and added fertilizer, which he has never had. Now, he droops, and is unresponsive to water.  Since my husband and I were not home when the repotting experiment occured I have no idea how he repotted the plant.  I know peace lilies like to be root bound, so I am fearful that he is not getting enough water.  He is only wet at the top, and I do not notice water in the drain tray.  Please help!!  Tracie

Reply:

Give the boy “A” for effort.  At least he is interested in plants.  The first thing we need to check is the soil level of the plant.  Can you tell if the original root ball top is still exposed?  If not, simply lift the plant so that it is planted at the depth it was before.  In most cases, when repotting you need to keep the plant at the same depth.  In other words, do not pile soil on top of the existing rootball.   Now if the soil is only moist on the top water it until a little water drains out of the bottom.  The easiest way to determine the moisture level is to stick your finger in the soil.  In this case you will need to go all the way to the hand knuckle.  Once you get the soil level and moisture level set, give the plant a little time.  It will take a couple of weeks for it to recover from the shock.  Be sure to keep the soil moist but no soggy and look for new growth.  If the plant is putting out new growth that is a sign that the plant will make a full recovery.

You are correct. Peace lilies don’t mind being root bound.  If the new pot is more than 1 1/2″ times larger than the old pot, you might want to repot it into a slightly smaller one.  The good thing about peace lilies is they are pretty resilient. Good luck and keep me posted.

Since your son is interested in the peace lily, he might want to read our peace lily plant care information.  He will need to scroll down the page to find the information.

Ask the Expert: Can I plant Peace Lilies in the yard?
My mother pasted away in january and she recieved four Peace Lilies and I would like to plant them at her grave site. I wanted to know if they would be ok?  Rebecca

Reply:

Rebecca

I’m sorry for your loss.  Although Spathiphyllum (Peace Lilies) would be lovely around her grave site, these plants are tropical and can’t survive cold temperatures.  Unless you live in certain areas of Hawaii or Florida, you need to keep these peace lilies as houseplants.  You can use them as outdoor plants during the warmer months.

Ask the Expert: How cold a temperature can a spath stand?

I have had my spathiphyllum in the house and decided to put it out on my front porch. The temperature reached the upper 40′s last night and the leaves are sick looking and very droopy. Have I killed it or will it survive? Saundra

Ask the Expert: is a peace lily poisonous to cats

i think my son’s cat ate the tips of the leaves of my peace lily.  Emily

Ask the Expert: My outdoor peace lilies’ leaves are being eaten
my outdoor peace lilies are in the shade in front of my house and grow beautifully but something keeps eating their leaves down to the stem – they look as if chunks are cut out of them.  any ideas as to what could be feasting on them and how to get rid of it???

Ask The Expert: MY OFFICE HAS HAD A PEACE LILLY PLANT FOR QUITE SOME TIME..MY BOSS HAS NURTURED AND CARED FOR THIS PLANT FOR LONGER THAN I HAVE WORKED HERE. HE FEEDS IT COFFEE AND OVERNIGHT SODA EVERYONCE IN A WHILE…WELL I THOUGHT IT TIME TO REPOT THE PLANT..AND OF COURSE IN MY VISION OF WANTING MORE GLORIOUS PEACE LILLIES..I NOW HAVE WILTING SAD PISSED OFF LILLIES..IT HAS BEEN ABOUT MONTH SINCE I TOOK THE ONCE THRIVING PLANT AND SEPARATED IT TO REPOT IN NEW MIRACLEGRO SOIL..ONE I KNOW THEY\’RE ALL PROBABLY IN SHOCK..BUT WHAT CAN I DO??BESIDE NEVER TOUCH THEM WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS EVER AGAIN?! PLEASE HELP!  Marie

Ask The Expert: My neighbor just gave my a peace lily from his wifes funeral. It has beautiful white flowers on it, but some of them the edges of the flower is turning brown. He had it outside for a little bit and then moved it to the garage. He said things have been very busy and he didn’t water it like he should. Could that be the problem? The leaves are not brown just the flower.

Ask the Expert: Can you help with soil condition of spaths?

We purchased 4 spath gigantica plants for our church @ Easter. The soil on all has a white sticky residue that makes the water milky. Leaves are dark green with new growth of white ‘flowers’ so it plants appear healthy. Any idea what’s wrong with soil and will it eventually affect plant?
Thanks for any info.  Carol