The peace lily is one of the most popular houseplants, appreciated for its ability to thrive in low light conditions and its air-purifying abilities. This tropical plant features lush green leaves and beautiful white flowers that give it an exotic look.

While peace lilies are relatively easy to care for, they can start to wilt and droop under certain conditions. Drooping leaves are usually a sign that your peace lily is stressed and needs some care and attention.

Don’t lose hope if you see your peace lily leaves start to sag! With the right troubleshooting, you can bring your plant back to good health.

Here are the 6 most common reasons why your peace lily might be drooping, and what you can do to fix it.

1. Underwatering

Underwatering is the most common reason for a drooping peace lily. These plants enjoy consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. If the soil dries out too much between waterings, the leaves will start to wilt and droop.

How to fix it:

Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger into the pot. If the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, it’s time to water.
Give your peace lily a thorough soaking whenever the top layer of soil dries out. Water until it runs out the drainage holes at the bottom.
Improve your watering habits going forward. Water when the top soil is dry but before the leaves start to droop.
Feel the weight of the pot after watering so you know what a properly hydrated plant feels like.
Increase humidity levels to reduce moisture loss from the leaves.
Move to a shadier spot if needed. Plants in bright light dry out faster.

With consistent watering, your peace lily’s leaves should perk back up within a few hours. Allow the soil to fully dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering issues.

2. Overwatering

While peace lilies like moist soil, allowing the roots to sit in soggy soil can also cause the leaves to droop and wilt. Excess moisture prevents the roots from getting the air and nutrients they need.

How to fix an overwatered peace lily:

Check the roots – if they are brown and mushy, the plant is overwatered.
Remove the plant from the pot and inspect the soil. Discard any soggy soil and repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
Trim off any mushy or rotting roots before repotting.
Allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again.
Water less frequently going forward. Wait until the top few inches of soil are dry before watering.
Ensure the pot has drainage holes and use a well-draining potting mix.
Add perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage.
Pour out any water that collects in the saucer after watering.
Consider terracotta pots which allow evaporation from the sides.

With less frequent watering and fast-draining soil, you can solve overwatering issues and perk up your peace lily.

3. Low Humidity

Peace lilies naturally thrive in the warm, humid climates of the tropics. In our homes, low humidity from indoor heating or air conditioning can quickly dry out the foliage, causing it to droop.

How to increase humidity for your peace lily:

Place the peace lily on a pebble tray – fill a tray with pebbles and water so the pot sits above the water level.
Mist the leaves frequently with a spray bottle.
Use a humidifier nearby.
Move the plant to a naturally humid room like the bathroom or kitchen.
Group plants together to create a self-contained humid microclimate.
Put the pot on a wet towel.
Enclose in a humidity tent or terrarium.

Aim to keep the humidity around your peace lily consistently above 50%. With increased moisture in the air, the leaves will remain perky and lush.

4. Lack of Light

While they can tolerate low light conditions, peace lilies thrive with some moderate, indirect sunlight. A lack of adequate light will cause the leaves to droop and the plant to become leggy as it reaches for light.

Here’s how to provide the right amount of light for your peace lily:

Place in bright indirect light near an east or west-facing window. Avoid direct southern exposure.
Rotate the plant periodically so all sides get light.
Provide at least 4 hours of bright, filtered light per day.
Supplement with a grow light if needed. LED plant lights work well.
Move to a spot with more natural light if possible.
Prune off any long, leggy stems to encourage fuller, compact growth.
Wipe dust off the leaves which can block light.

With the right amount of bright, indirect light each day your peace lily will perk up. Monitor for any scorching or sunburn if placing in increased light.

5. Cold Temperatures

As tropical plants, peace lilies prefer consistent warmth in the range of 65-80°F. Exposure to colder temperatures can shock the plant, causing the leaves to drop and wilt.

How to handle peace lily cold sensitivity:

Move away from drafty windows, AC vents, or doors leading outside.
Place on a warm surface like near appliances or on a heating mat.
Avoid rooms that dip below 60°F at night.
Heat your home sufficiently during cold seasons.
Supplement with a grow light or lamp for warmth.
Insulate the pot with bubble wrap if moving in/out of cold.
Provide warmth from the bottom up.
Mist leaves for a protective moisture layer.
Hold off on repotting or fertilizing during cold snaps.

With adequate warmth, drooping caused by cold shock should resolve once back to normal temperatures. Prevent further cold damage by keeping your peace lily in the optimal temperature range.

6. Root Bound

As peace lilies grow over time, they can eventually become root bound in their container. This restricts air flow and drainage, causing leaves to droop.

Check for root bound issues and repot if needed:

Slide the plant out of the pot and inspect the root system.
If the roots are dense, coiled, or growing out the drainage holes, it is root bound.
Repot in the next larger pot, about 2 inches wider in diameter.
Use fresh, well-draining potting mix.
Gently loosen and untangle the root ball before repotting.
Prune off any circling or damaged roots.
Support the base of the plant once repotted.
Resume normal care once adjusted to the new pot.

Repotting into a spacious container will revive an otherwise healthy root bound peace lily and allow the leaves to stand tall again. Repot annually in spring to prevent reoccurring issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drooping Peace Lilies

Caring for a peace lily is easy when you understand their preferences. Here are answers to some common questions about reviving a droopy peace lily.

How often should you water peace lilies?

Peace lilies like consistently moist soil. Water whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry. Avoid both under and overwatering.

How much light do peace lilies need?

Peace lilies grow best in bright, indirect light. Provide at least 4 hours of filtered sunlight per day. They can tolerate low light but will become leggy.

What temperature is best for peace lilies?

Peace lilies prefer warm conditions between 65-80°F. Avoid cold drafts below 60°F. Move to warmer spots if needed.

How can I increase humidity for my peace lily?

Increase humidity by misting, using a pebble tray, grouping with other plants, or using a humidifier. Aim for 40-60% humidity.

What should I do if my peace lily is drooping?

Assess watering, light, humidity, temperature, root health, and repot if root bound. Address any issues and your peace lily should recover.

Why are my peace lily’s leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Yellowing can also signify too much direct sun.

Should I trim droopy leaves on my peace lily?

Yes, you can trim off any yellowed, wilted, or excessively droopy leaves. This triggers new growth. Disinfect shears between cuts.

How do I fix an overwatered peace lily?

Repot in fresh, dry soil. Trim affected roots and stems. Allow it to fully dry out before watering again. Water less frequently.

When should I repot my peace lily?

Repot peace lilies every 1-2 years in the spring. Move to a slightly larger pot if root bound. Use well-draining soil.

Conclusion

With high humidity, bright indirect light, warm conditions and consistent watering, peace lilies make excellent low maintenance houseplants. But if your peace lily starts to droop, don’t despair! Identify the underlying issue and implement the fixes suggested. With a little TLC your peace lily will be back to its perky self in no time.

Monitor your plant closely and make adjustments as needed. Leaf droop can happen occasionally but persistent wilt requires intervention. Catch issues early before they progress. With the right care, your peace lily will thrive and add tranquil greenery to your indoor space.

Why Is Your Peace Lily Drooping? Here Are 6 Reasons