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It is not unusual to find your peace lily in shock after repotting. This can happen when repotting any houseplant. There are steps you can follow to prevent a peace lily wilting after transplanting, as well as steps you can take to correct the situation if it does happen.
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.) are popular household plants that will bloom if given sufficient light. Proper care of a peace lily, plus following transplant tips, will help prevent a peace lily dying after repotting.
Repotting your peace lily can be a stressful event that causes the plant to wilt and droop afterwards. However, with the right care and troubleshooting, you can nurse your plant back to health. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the reasons for wilting, tips to prevent it, and how to revive your peace lily after repotting.
Why Repotting Causes Wilting
Peace lilies thrive in crowded containers and don’t necessarily need frequent repotting. When you do replant them, the disturbance can shock the plant and cause transplant stress. Here are the key factors that lead to wilting:
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Damaged roots – Repotting requires maneuvering the root ball which can crush the small delicate feeder roots. This impairs the plant’s ability to take up moisture.
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Underwatering – Until new roots establish after repotting, the plant struggles to absorb enough water and will wilt.
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Overwatering – Too much moisture in the new container suffocates roots and promotes diseases.
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Light change – Moving the repotted plant to a spot with more or less light than it’s used to causes leaf scorch or shock.
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Temperature fluctuation – Exposure to cold or hot drafts during repotting stresses the plant.
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Transplant shock – Any differences in environment from the old potting setup can overwhelm the plant.
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Root bound – Circling, tangled roots prevent proper moisture absorption and indicate it’s past time for repotting.
Tips to Prevent Peace Lily Wilting After Repotting
You can minimize the trauma of repotting your peace lily by following these best practices:
- Repot in the spring before active growth resumes.
- Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger than the current one so the roots don’t sit in wet soil.
- Water the plant the day before repotting to moisten and loosen the root ball.
- Carefully remove from the old pot and gently loosen circled roots.
- Prune off any diseased or damaged roots with sterilized shears.
- Handle the root ball with care to avoid crushing delicate feeder roots.
- Place in the new pot at the same level it was growing before.
- Use fresh, well-draining soilless potting mix.
- Water thoroughly after repotting to settle the soil.
- Keep away from air vents to avoid temperature fluctuations.
- Maintain consistent light levels after transplanting.
- Hold off on fertilizing until new growth emerges.
- Check soil moisture frequently and water when the top inch becomes dry.
- Mist frequently to boost humidity while the plant re-establishes.
How to Revive a Wilting Peace Lily After Repotting
If your peace lily still droops and wilts after being repotted, don’t lose hope. With attentive care, it can bounce back. Follow these tips:
- Isolate from direct light which will stress the plant further. Provide bright, indirect light.
- Water thoroughly only when the top 50% of soil is dry. Avoid oversaturated soil.
- Mist the leaves daily to increase humidity around the plant.
- Move to an area between 65-80°F and avoid cold/hot drafts.
- Prune off any dead or dying leaves and stems to redirect energy.
- Consider repotting again in fresh soil if roots were damaged extensively.
- Apply balanced liquid fertilizer at 1/4 to 1/2 strength until growth resumes.
- Inspect closely for pests like spider mites that attack stressed plants.
- Be patient! Recovery takes time. Allow several weeks before repotting again.
With attentive troubleshooting and care, your peace lily should perk back up and resume healthy growth. Avoid transplant shock in the future by repotting minimally and ensuring optimal conditions afterwards. In time, with the proper environment, your peace lily will once again unfurl lush green leaves and pristine white blooms to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take a peace lily to recover from repotting?
Give your peace lily 2-8 weeks to bounce back from repotting stress. In 1-2 weeks, you should see signs of recovery. Full recovery can take 4-8 weeks depending on the severity of wilting.
What causes a peace lily to wilt after repotting?
Root damage, light change, temperature swings, underwatering, and transplant shock are the most common causes of wilting after repotting. Peace lilies don’t like their roots disturbed.
Should you cut off dead leaves on a peace lily?
Yes, pruning dead or dying leaves on a wilting peace lily helps redirect its energy into recovery. Use clean scissors to remove yellowed, browned leaves near the base of the stem.
How do I know if my peace lily needs repotting?
Signs your peace lily is rootbound and needs repotting include stunted growth, drooping leaves, mushy soil that dries out quickly, roots emerging from the drainage holes, and inability to keep the plant upright.
Should I water after repotting a peace lily?
Yes, water thoroughly after repotting peace lilies to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets around the roots. Then allow the soil to partially dry out before watering again while establishing.
Summary
- Repotting shocks peace lily roots and causes transplant stress and wilting.
- Prevent wilting by repotting minimally in spring before growth resumes.
- Drooping after repotting is fixed by adjusting water, light, temperature, and humidity.
- Recovery takes 2-8 weeks. Prune dead leaves and stems, and avoid overwatering.
- With attentive care, peace lilies can rebound fully from repotting stress.
Reviving a wilting peace lily after repotting requires attentive troubleshooting and care. But with a little time and TLC, your plant can make a full recovery. Follow these tips to get your peace lily thriving once again.
How to Fix a Peace Lily Droopy After Repotting
If your peace lily wilted after repotting, follow these steps to bring the plant back to health.
- Let the top 1/2 inch (1.3 cm.) of soil dry out between watering. Peace lilies prefer moist soil but not wet. You can let it stay a little on the dry side till it recovers.
- Position the plant in indirect light for about a week to 10 days. When it perks up, relocate it to its former location or in bright, indirect light, such as near an east or south window.
- Avoid placing the plant near heating or cooling vents.
- Wait two to four weeks before resuming fertilizer.
- Always water before the plant wilts. Waiting for a wilt signal to water will stress the plant.
- Increase the humidity around the peace lily by setting the plant on a tray of pebbles. Fill the tray with water making sure the pot sits on the pebbles and does not touch the water.
In the future, before transplanting a peace lily or any houseplant, follow these tips to successfully make the transition.
- Two weeks before transplanting, fertilize the plant and inspect it for pests. Address any pest problems before transplanting.
- Water the plant the night before transplanting to hydrate the roots and make it easier to remove from the container.
- Choose a container that is 1 or 2 inches (2.5 or 5 cm.) larger in diameter than the original container. Anything larger can cause root rot by holding excess water in the soil.
- Make sure the container is clean. Kill any pathogens by dipping the pot in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
- Purchase a soilless planting medium with organic matter or mix your own including perlite to increase the drainage capacity.
- Carefully remove the plant from the container. Inspect the roots for damaged or circling roots. Break up any circling roots and snip off any black or discolored roots. Divide the plant, if needed, making sure each division has three stems.
- Fill the container about half full with the soilless mixture. Add the plant at the same level it was before and fill in the edges with more soilless mixture. The top of the soil should end about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) from the top of the container to make watering easier.
- Water well and let the water drain through the drainage holes. Discard any water that collects in the drip pan.
- Pot up any divisions you made.
Observing these recommendations should help keep your peace lily vibrant and thriving.