Why do I always kill peace lilies?

[ViolettaVonVargon]

Ok, I get that this is houseplants not gardening but there isn’t a house plant section.

I am normally pretty good at keeping plants alive. I have had a couple of peace lilies though and I always always kill them - but I don’t understand why? They are meant to be one of the easiest houseplants to look after, I tried really hard not to over water or under water it. I put it away from direct sunlight but in a light, warm room. The stupid thing has now turned all its leaves yellow and is obviously marching straight to the plant grim reaper. Anyone who knows what I’m doing wrong?

I have a huge one that desperately needs repotting (I refuse cos I don't want it to get any bigger) so I'm guessing they like to be a bit root bound

I give it a good soak once a week in summer, and let it drain after about an hour. In winter I do it every couple of weeks.

It's about 10 feet away from a big window, but no direct sun.

My guess is you're letting it sit with wet feet

i only water it once a week but I haven’t been letting it drain you could be right. Ok, I’m going to try draining the next victim and see how I get on. Thanks!

I have one at work. I used to sit at a desk that was not in direct sunshine but was very bright, I also used to water it every day, eventually it became yellow and weak. I decided to repot it as it was clearly pot-bound and found it had multiplied into lots of smaller plants, so I weeded most of them out and it was immediately much happier. I also moved desk and it is in artifical light for 8 hours on weekdays but shade the rest of the time (not total darkness as the office has an internal window to the main office). It has gone from strength to strength there. So I suggest re-potting if needed and moving to full shade.

I read they only like to be watered when they’re almost wilting and like their leaves misted - I’m not very green fingered though so could be wrong!

I don't know but I have the same problem. "Easy" plant...

Only water it when the leaves start to droop. I find that’s about once a week in summer, more if it’s very hot, and every couple of weeks in winter. Don’t leave it sitting in water.

Oh yes and I considerably cut down on the water. Once a week and not too much.

I heard they don't like tap water.

Wait until it is looking droopy and sad before watering. They are drama queens and look like they're on their last legs, but then bounce back quite happily once watered.

The his is what I do. When it wilts I water it.

I always joke it's the easiest thing to look after in the house.

It's a good idea to clean their leaves once in a while. A damp piece of kitchen roll with a little olive oil works well.

I was given one in 2002 and I currently have four (divided from the original) plus two I gave away! They need a dark corner and thrive on neglect. They are jungle canopy plants and can't deal with too much light. They seem happiest in groups.

Mine is doing well. I give a little water when the lilies start to wilt, and I prune any dead lillies/leaves at the stem. Seems to be very happy and lots of new shoots!

They need little attention. Water it when it wilts. Leave it out of direct sunlight. Cut off dead stems as and when.

I kept one alive for about 4 years, then it looked completely dead. Nothing to lose, I split it into three and two survived.
It was one a friend sent me when my mum died so didn't want to kill it! I'm so happy it recovered

Yes, don't over water. They like a little shower once in a while.

No plant likes tap water! All plants prefer rain water.

Mine seems to do quite well on neglect, i water it when I remember, occasionally give it a feed.

Yes, I think this is probably it. Houseplants need watering when they need watering, rather than by a weekly schedule.

It is worth getting into the habit of picking your houseplants up so you can gauge how much they weigh. That is a much better indicator of whether they need watering, because they begin to feel lighter. Another trick is to look at the base of the pot where the holes are and if it looks dry, then it's time. I stand mine on the rack on the draining board and water them till it runs out of the holes in the bottom, then I leave it there for a while to drain properly. Then it goes back in the decorative outer pot.

I watered my jade plant this week for the first time since August.

Thanks for all your helpful advice everyone. I’m going to try again and will hopefully have positive news to report back xx

I had one that thrived in a tiny pot in my office, I used to water when wilted then ignore. It was also in direct sunlight for part of the day.

Took it home before lockdown, repotted it and it started dying. I only have 1 stem left, all the others wilted or the leaves went black. I only water when it wilts, with filtered water, not even tap! I did try feeding it coffee grounds, for a while that seemed to generate more leaves but then they went all black and died.

I’ve been reading advice on plant forums and it varies, some say feed it, some do not feed, some repot, some do not repot. It’s the only plant that has managed to confuse me, all my other plants are thriving.

how do I get my one stem/root to propagate others?

You can leave them unwatered until their leaves flop round them like a dying jellyfish, and they will bounce back. Formulaic watering is rarely the best. Instead of “once a week” wait until the soil feels dry and the pot feels lighter.

As a general rule, don’t let any house plant stand in water, and make sure their pot has drainage holes.

Most plants don’t like hard water. You can get away with tap water if you’re in a soft water area.

I wouldn’t use olive oil - theres a danger of blocking pores, although on Peace Lily they may be mainly on the underside.

Put it in the bathroom, they like the humidity, and only water when it's drooping.