Find Your Ask The Expert: I have had a peace lily for 14 years and until just recently it has been beautiful. Now it is dying and I don’t know how how to save it. I’m sure it’s from too much chlorine in the water here. I’m very bummed about it dying after so long. Is there anything I can do to save what hasn’t died yet? It’s trying to make some new shoots. Thank you. Nancy
Reply:
Nancy,
The fact that it is trying to put up new shoots is a good sign. You can do a few things to help the plant:
1) If dry water the plant with distilled water or tap water that has bee exposed to air for over twenty four hours. This water void of chlorination will help dilute the traces of the chlorine the plant has been exposed to.
2) Remove all dead leaves but cutting them off at the based of the plant. This will encoruage the plant to produce more leaves.
3) Don’t panic peace lilies are very resilient. Don’t give it any more attention that you have in the past – over compensating because it is stress will actually do more harm than good.
In a few weeks the new growth will flush out and the peace lily will recover. If you think the chlorine was the problem be sure to water the way I have suggested. However, I would also think about other reasons that might have caused the peace lily stress – too much or too light water, a severe temperature change or insect damage. Eliminating these causes will assure that the right steps are being taken to help your plant recover.
The Flower Shop Network peace lily page contains some useful peace lily plant care information – you will need to scroll down the page to see the information.
Good luck and keep me posted.
