# Why is my Peace Lily dying? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 23, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-peace-lily-dying/369903 "2006-08-23T17:11:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![XaMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f9ae1b/32.png) [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-peace-lily-dying/369903/1 "2006-08-23T17:11:57Z")
Okay, I am usually lousy with plants, I admit, but this Peace Lily I bought from a roadside vendor back in March was doing really well up till about last week. It seemed okay with my usual mistreatment of forgetting to water for weeks, then dumping a cup or so on, but now, for no reason I can see, half the leaves are turning brown and crisping up. I don’t think it needs water, because it never wilted, and if I had over-watered, wouldn’t it have gone yellow and pulpy? What’s happening to my poor plant? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-peace-lily-dying/369903/2 "2006-08-23T17:14:37Z")
It’s the War. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-peace-lily-dying/369903/3 "2006-08-23T17:54:06Z")
How much sun is it getting? They do not tolerate direct sun well and will shrivel accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-peace-lily-dying/369903/4 "2006-08-23T17:57:48Z")
In my experience peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) do well with evenly moist soil in bright light with little to no direct sun, and at least moderate humidity. Your situation sounds like a watering problem (is the soil really soggy or bone dry?). More on diagnosing peace lily problems [here.](http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/houseplt/msg0618594211580.html?13) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-peace-lily-dying/369903/5 "2006-08-23T22:19:48Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > It’s the War. **Cal** –you obviously forgot which forum you’re in. **samclem** ---
**Author:** ![XaMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f9ae1b/32.png) [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-peace-lily-dying/369903/6 "2006-08-24T02:25:10Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > It’s the War. Very funny, Cal. 😃 Okay, I’m thinking I moved it too close to the window last time I mopped in the kitchen. So now what should I do, besides move it away? Should I trim away the bad leaves? ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-peace-lily-dying/369903/7 "2006-08-24T16:22:39Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > **Cal** –you obviously forgot which forum you’re in. > > **samclem** Is humour not allowed in GQ any more? (OK maybe **Cal** should have waited until a few serious replies had occured, but still…)