Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum), with their elegant white blooms, are popular indoor plants known for their air-purifying qualities. However, when those pristine flowers start turning brown or green, it can be concerning for plant enthusiasts. And that could be due to many reasons, such as poor lighting, overwatering, or too much fertilizing. The good news is that you can adjust these factors to ensure that your peace lily thrives.
But if youre unsure why your peace lilys flowers are turning brown, this guide is here to help you. It explores the life cycle of the peace lily, the factors influencing the color change in its flowers, and practical solutions to help your restore their vibrancy.
Seeing your peace lily’s pristine white blooms slowly turn green can be upsetting. But don’t worry, this color change is usually natural. However, certain growing conditions can accelerate it. This article explores the reasons for peace lily blooms turning green and how to care for your plant to keep the flowers vibrant white for as long as possible.
Overview of the Peace Lily
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a popular houseplant known for its gorgeous white blooms that emerge surrounded by glossy green leaves. Native to tropical rainforests, they thrive in warm, humid environments with indirect sunlight.
Peace lilies bloom in spring and summer, producing a flower spray called a spadix that is surrounded by a white leaf-like structure called a spathe. The spathe starts off green but turns white within a few days, lasting up to two months.
As the spathe ages, it progressively returns to green and eventually browns. But improper growing conditions can cause premature greening.
Why Peace Lily Blooms Turn Green
Here are the main reasons for your peace lily’s blooms turning from white to green:
Aging Blooms
The most common cause of green blooms is simply old age. As the spathe gets older, chlorophyll production increases to allow photosynthesis and energy production
This natural greening with age occurs in most peace lily varieties, with the spathe becoming progressively greener week by week
Insufficient Light
Low light conditions can also cause spathes to emerge already green or turn from white to green rapidly. With inadequate light, the plant boosts chlorophyll levels to maximize photosynthesis
Blooms often appear greener too as the plant moves limited chlorophyll to the surface of the spathe. So check lighting if your peace lily’s blooms green unusually fast.
Excessive Fertilizer
Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen and iron, fuels fast growth and increased chlorophyll production. This manifests as green peace lily blooms.
Peace lilies only need light fertilization, so avoid overfeeding. Flush soil to remove excess nutrients.
Improper Watering
Incorrect watering causes stress. Underwatering strains the plant while overwatering causes root rot. Both impact the bloom’s development and longevity.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy for healthy white blooms. Let the top inch dry before watering.
Environmental Changes
Sudden changes in lighting, temperature, or humidity due to moving the plant or seasonal shifts can stress the peace lily. This disrupts the normal spathe’s lifecycle, potentially accelerating greening.
Minimize stress by keeping conditions stable. Acclimate plants to any changes gradually.
Normal Variation
Some peace lily species and cultivars are more prone to developing green spathes. If you provide proper care but see greening, this may just be normal for your plant.
Caring For Your Peace Lily
Adopting optimal care practices reduces stress and encourages the longest-lasting, brightest white blooms. Here are some key tips:
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Place in bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun.
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Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry.
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Use porous, well-draining soil and pot with drainage holes.
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Maintain average room temperature and humidity. Mist leaves if air is dry.
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Fertilize lightly every 6-8 weeks during spring and summer.
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Dust leaves occasionally and prune dead leaves/blooms.
What To Do About Green Blooms
Green peace lily blooms don’t harm the plant. But you can snip them off for aesthetics. However, focus on addressing underlying issues like insufficient light rather than just deadheading blooms.
You can’t reverse the greening process. But proper care encourages the next blooms to open vibrant white and stay that way longer.
Common Questions about Green Peace Lily Blooms
Why are my peace lily’s blooms green with brown tips?
This indicates aging blooms. Prune off the spent flowers. Check that you’re watering properly and providing adequate humidity.
Should I cut off green blooms on my peace lily?
Removing green blooms improves the plant’s appearance. But it isn’t necessary for the plant’s health. Snip off green spathes if they bother you.
How can I get my peace lily blooms to turn white again?
Unfortunately, you can’t restore green blooms to white. However, optimal care encourages new white blooms. Avoid direct sun, overwatering, and fertilizer excess.
What causes peace lily flowers to turn green and mushy?
Mushy green blooms result from overwatering or excessive humidity. Allow soil to partly dry before watering again. Move plant away from humidifiers and misters. Improve air circulation.
Why did my peace lily never bloom white?
If blooms emerge green, the plant likely lacks sufficient light. Move it to a brighter location out of direct sun. Insufficient light prevents full color development.
The Takeaway
It’s natural for peace lily blooms to progressively green with age. But suboptimal growing conditions can cause premature greening of the spathes. Correct issues like inadequate light, improper watering, and fertilizer excess to keep blooms white for longer. Overall, provide the care peace lilies need to thrive, and enjoy their beautiful blooms.
Poor Watering Practices
While peace lilies prefer consistently moist soil, prolonged underwatering or overwatering can lead to brown flowers. Too much water causes root rot, leading to brown foliage and blooms. In contrast, too little moisture can strain your plant.
Solutions:
- Maintain consistently moist soil without overwatering.
- Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering again.
Peace lilies flowers may turn brown if they grow in indoor spaces with low humidity. These include heated and air-conditioned rooms with reduced levels of air moisture, which can lead to browning flowers of your beloved peace lily plant.
Solutions:
- Maintain proper humidity levels.
- Mist the flowers and leaves to increase humidity.
Direct sunlight can scorch your peace lily flowers, turning them brown. Similarly, insufficient light makes it difficult for the plants flowers to grow healthy and white.
Solutions:
- Move the plant to a location with bright, indirect light.
- Provide shade during the hottest part of the day.
Frequent repotting, poor soil quality, nutrient deficiencies, inadequate light, and poor watering can all distress your peace lily. This causes the plants flowers and leaves to turn brown or black and look wilted or deformed.
Solutions:
- Repot it in early spring only and handle roots gently.
- Ensure the new pot has proper drainage.
- Adopt a proper watering routine.
How Long Do Peace Lily Flowers Last?
Peace lily flowers can last from 1 to 2 months or more with the right care, adding a touch of elegance to indoor spaces. However, the flowers can change color as the plant ages or encounters specific issues, manifesting in brown, green, or black shades.