Peace Lily Root Rot: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment (2023)

White blossoms bloom quickly on the fast-growing peace lily. It’s been grown in Asia for millennia and goes by many different names, but they all refer to the same lovely plant.

Rotting at the base of the roots hinders the plant’s development and diminishes its aesthetic appeal, making it harder to relocate.

This article’s purpose is to clear up any misconceptions you may have concerning peace lily root rot, including what causes it, how to spot it, and how to cure it.

The peace lily is one of the most adaptable plants, able to thrive in almost any condition. However, it is particularly susceptible to root rot. 

Without delay, they raise the white flag.

But now the issue arises, how can you tell if your peace lily has root rot and what to do about it? Come on, then, let’s find out.

What is Root rot?

Poor drainage, over-watering, and improperly managed soil are just a few of the numerous causes of root rot, a fungal infection of a plant’s roots.

It is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of root rot and take preventative measures against it. There are suggestions here for taking care of your roots. Most root rot causes and effective preventative measures are discussed as well.

Common Symptoms of Peace lily root rot

Peace Lily Root Rot

When the roots begin to decay, they are plainly visible. The following are some of the most typical signs of peace lily root rot:

Leaves start Wilting

Wet leaves are unable to absorb as many nutrients from the air, leading to their eventual death. One of the most common reasons for wilt is overwatering. When plants are overwatered, the roots rot and can’t absorb water and nutrients, starving the plant.

Always check for root rot if you see your plant’s leaves drooping or wilting.

Leaves turn yellow

The leaves become a golden yellow in the fall. This is widely acknowledged as the primary driver of unnecessary irrigation. If you see any yellowing of your plant’s leaves, it’s time to do a thorough root inspection.

Stunted Growth

Stunted Development is often brought on by root rot. This often occurs in locations with inadequate drainage after the roots have been exposed to damp soil.

You must provide enough light and water for your peace lilies (according to the need). Your plant life will flourish and flourish if the soil drains adequately.

The appearance of Black Spots

Those black spots on your peace lily probably aren’t the first symptom of root rot. They may indicate that your peace lily has suffered from or is at risk of root rot. Peace lily leaves develop black dots surrounded by a yellow tinge when bacteria and diseases harm the young roots of the plant.

The soil produces a Bad smell

Some soils have a pungent odor that may be detected by the human nose. You can tell your peace lily has root rot if it starts to smell bad. Yellowing leaves and wilting stems are often the first signs of root rot.

Causes of Root rot in Peace lily

symptoms of Peace Lily root rot

Root rot in peace lilies may be caused by a number of factors. Root rot may occur for many different causes.

Low Light

Although peace lilies can tolerate low light, their delayed development is a direct result of the lack of light. Because photosynthesis and metabolism slow down under low-light conditions, drying out the soil take longer. Wet soil is the primary cause of pests and fungi because it harms plant roots. read my article do peace lily need sunlight for more information

Overwatering

The peace lily is a delicate plant that does best in soil that is just slightly damp, but too much water can kill it. A peace lily in the yard requires regular but not too abundant watering.

The growth of peace lilies is greatly aided by consistent watering. But if you overwater, the roots will rot. If the plant does not get adequate oxygen, its growth will be stunted. Because of this, the plant’s root system finally fails and the plant dies.

Poor Drainage System

Even if you give your peace lilies the recommended amount of water each time, it won’t help if the pot isn’t split correctly and the excess moisture has nowhere to go.

If you leave too much water in the container, the soil will get soggy and the air will be unable to circulate freely. Because of the drainage mechanism, the roots in this planter won’t rot in the soil. Root rot in peace lilies may be prevented by using a self-watering container with drainage holes.

Large Pot Size

There are a number of good reasons why you may want to try growing your plant or seedling in a larger-than-usual container. A larger volume of potting material and water may be held by the peace lily. Because of this, the root rot of peace lilies is the most pressing issue.

Peace Lily Root Rot Treatment

causes of root rot in Peace Lily

If you have a peace lily and suspect it has root rot after reading about the signs above, take action immediately! The root rot of your plant might be treated in one of two methods.

  • Report peace lily to a new pot or container with adequate drainage holes.
  • Use self-watering pots that have air holes.

Repotting the plant

The fungus may be eradicated from the plant by repotting it into a new, clean, and dry container.

If the roots of your peace lily are injured, you should repot the plant.

If your peace lily has developed root rot, you may repot it as follows:

  • You should carefully remove your peace lily from its container by holding the main stem.
  • After removing your peace lily from its container, gently rinse it under running water to remove any remaining dirt.
  • Remove any damaged leaves or branches from your plant. Do this even if you can’t see any issues; the increased light and airflow your plant will get as a result will help it recover.
  • The affected roots may be sprayed with a fungus killer or soaked in bleach water to kill any remaining bacteria.
  • Open the drainage holes in the fresh, empty pot. It’s important to remember to fill up the bottom of the hole with some of the stones. This will prevent the drains from becoming blocked.
  • Put in new, well-drained potting soil until it fills about a third of the container.
  • Place the Peace Lily in the container and fill the surrounding area with new dirt gradually.
  • Before planting a peace lily, make sure the earth is just slightly damp. After repotting, the peace lily should go somewhere it may bask in direct sunshine for at least six hours a day. The peace lily plant might experience stress if exposed to too much light at this time, so be mindful.

How to Prevent Root Rot In Peace Lily by Using a Self-Watering Pot?

how to repot a Peace Lily with root rot

To further reduce the possibility of root rot in your peace lily, you may use this adorable-looking self-watering head pot with air holes. This is the kind of container that permits water to reach a plant’s roots quickly and the plant to take it up at its own rate. These plants have a reputation for taking care of their own roots since they don’t need any further watering.

To a large extent, these self-watering pots rely on a reservoir system. The container has a water tank at the very bottom. This facilitates the plant’s ability to get the correct amount of water from the soil at all times.

Conclusion

If you don’t treat root rot seriously, it may destroy every plant you grow. It is the most common plant disease since it attacks the plant at its very foundation. Keep a close eye on your peace lily and attempt to record an update on its progress once a week.

If the root system of your peace lily goes rotting, there is no going back. In this circumstance, the plant must be either condemned or destroyed.

FAQs

how to tell if a Peace Lily has root rot

How to treat root rot in a peace lily?

Root rot in peace lily may be treated by removing all the diseased roots and washing away the dirt from them. When you suspect soil has fungus in it, you should get rid of it and sterilize it.

How to repot a peace lily with root rot?

If you follow the procedures below, repotting a peace lily will be a breeze.
Remove the dirt from the plant’s container and throw it away.
Clean the vessel by bleaching it.
To eliminate the root rot fungus, the surviving plant roots should be submerged in a fungicide solution.
The last step is to repot your peace lily into a new container using potting soil.

How to save a peace lily from root rot?

These simple steps can help you preserve your peace lily:
Cut off any leaves that are wilted or dead on your peace lily.
You should put your plant somewhere that gets plenty of light but not direct sunlight.
Set the temperature to between 65 and 70 degrees Celsius (150 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit).
The root ball of the plant must fit comfortably inside the pot.
It will be difficult for the plant to breathe if you water it too regularly.
Every two weeks, you should refine the dirt in your pot.
And don’t worry, we’ve got you covered on the fronts of peace lily safety from drooping to root rot to root binding! Drooping Peace Lily

How to tell if a peace lily has root rot?

Plants like the peace lily are especially susceptible to root rot. Root rot is characterized by black or brown leaf discoloration, leaf edge death, and spotty, central leaf death. If the air is humid, the patches will seem soft and squishy.

READ Best indoor plants for clean air.