Peace lilies can struggle in August, with heat, air conditioning and bright sunlight disrupting their usual conditions and causing drooping leaves, browning tips and wilting flowers, according to Homes and Gardens.
The gardening publication outlined several steps to keep the popular houseplant healthy through the month.
Keep peace lilies out of direct sun
Peace lilies prefer bright but indirect light. Homes and Gardens advised against placing them in direct August sunlight, which can scorch the leaves, and recommended positioning pots a few metres from a sunny window or covering the glass with a light curtain. If a plant is barely flowering, it may actually need more light rather than less.
Check the soil before watering
Rather than sticking to a strict watering schedule, Homes and Gardens suggested pushing a finger about 2 to 3 centimetres into the soil. If it feels dry, the plant should be watered thoroughly until water drains from the pot's holes. If the soil is still damp, watering should wait. Peace lilies like evenly moist soil but cannot tolerate standing water, so any excess should be drained from the saucer.
Why peace lily leaves droop
Peace lilies are known for dramatically wilting when they are thirsty, but drooping leaves do not always mean the plant needs water. Homes and Gardens noted that overwatering, poor drainage or sudden temperature changes can cause the same symptom, so the soil should be checked before deciding whether to water.
Protect plants from air conditioning
Peace lilies should not sit directly in the airflow from an air conditioner, since the dry stream can cause brown leaf tips. A humidifier can help in very dry air, and Homes and Gardens suggested grouping several plants together to create a more humid microclimate.
Give the plant a summer clean
Peace lilies' large leaves collect dust quickly, so Homes and Gardens recommended wiping them with a soft damp cloth while checking for pests. Yellow, brown or badly damaged leaves should be removed with clean, sharp scissors, and spent flower spikes can be cut away at the base.
Hold off on repotting
A healthy peace lily does not need repotting in August, according to Homes and Gardens. Repotting should only be considered if roots are emerging from the drainage holes, have heavily wrapped around the root ball, or if the soil is drying out unusually fast. Any new pot should be only slightly larger than the old one and must have drainage holes. Homes and Gardens added that as autumn approaches, peace lilies may need a brighter spot, though they should still be kept out of direct sunlight.
