Why Does My Peace Lily Look Burnt? Discover Quick Solutions Here!

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I have a great passion for indoor plants, including peace lilies. That’s why I have planted many plants at my home. 

Yesterday, my neighbor was saying, I planted a peace lily some days ago and kept it in the corner of my balcony. But I noticed it is looking burnt. 

Why Does My Peace Lily Look Burnt

He wanted to know, Why does my peace lily look burnt?

It’s very crucial to know all the reasons and the ways of treating a burnt peace lily. You are in the right place, so you don’t need to be worried about this problem. 

Take a look at the article to know why do my peace lily leaves look burnt and how to care for a peace lily indoors.

Main Factors:

  • Brown edges or tips, especially from direct sunlight.
  • Maintaining temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) and humidity over 50% can save peace lily from the black tip.
  • If not, then report your peace lily every 1-2 years.

Sign Of Burnt Peace Lily

A Burnt peace lily is a condition where the leaves of your peace lily plant show signs of damage. 

Your peace lily will not get burnt overnight. It will show some signs that will help you identify whether your peace lily is getting burnt. 

Sign Of Burnt Peace Lily

Let’s check out the signs: 

  • A common sign of burnt peace lily is brown edges or tips. It mainly happens when your peace lilies are exposed to direct sunlight. 
  • The leaves of your burnt peace lily will also turn yellow. This can be a response to the stress of your peace lily plants. 
  • If you find some parts of leaves appearing scorched or dried out, you can say your peace lily is getting burnt. 
  • A healthy peace lily has dark, glossy green leaves. But if your peace lily  exhibits light green leaves or discoloration, it’s a sign of burnt peace lily. 
  • Burnt peace lilies are also looking wilt or droopy. It indicates that your plants are under stress. 

Peace lilies are popular indoor plants. They can add a touch of elegance and tranquillity to your indoor spaces. But burnt peace lily affects the appearance and overall health of your plants. 

If you see your plants exhibiting the above signs, you can be sure that your plants are getting burnt. Then, you have to take the necessary steps to prevent burning. 

Why Does My Peace Lily Look Burnt?

When my neighbor was sharing his problems, I said,You told me, you have placed your peace lily in the corner of your balcony. Are there proper shade above your peace lily? And do you properly water them? 

He replied, there is a small shade above. But my plants can get sunlight there and when I have time I water them. 

Why Does My Peace Lily Look Burnt

Then I said, this is the main problem. There are some reasons for this question: why is my peace lily burnt all of: such as: 

  • Direct sunlight
  • High temperatures
  • Low humidity levels
  • Improper watering
  • Over fertilization
  • Pests and diseases

Direct sunlight

Do you know, how much light a peace lily needs? Peace lilies are native to tropical rainforests. They grow under the shade of larger plants in the forest. Your peace lily needs indirect sunlight. Because, peace lilies are not adapted to handle the intense rays of the direct sun. 

If you place your peace lily in a spot where it receives direct sun, such as near a south-facing window or outside, you risk burning the leaves of your plant. 

Direct sunlight can scorch the delicate tissues of the leaves of your peace lily. 

Direct sunlight can be the cause of the following issues: 

  • Leaf burn
  • Leaf discoloration
  • Yellow leaves
  • Leaf  limp
  • Stunt growth.

Methods of revive

Move your peace lily immediately to a shadier spot where it can receive indirect sunlight. You can consider to place in the north or east facing window with a sheer curtain. Here, it will get enough filtered light and can be safe from the rays of direct sun. It can also help peace lily rebloom.

If you can’t find these places in your room, then use artificial sunlight. This will help prevent any further burn damage and allow your plant to heal. 

Don’t place them outside in the direct sun or in a dark or dimly lit area. 

High Temperature       

Just for your information, peace lilies like warm temperatures, but not too hot. They can grow well in temperatures between  65-80°F (18-27°C).

If your room temperature exceeds 85°F (29°C), the plant can suffer from heat stress and burn. This can happen if you place your peace lily near a heat source, such as a radiator or a fireplace, or if you expose it to direct sunlight for too long.

On the other hand, consistent temperatures can also cause your plant to lose water faster, which can lead to dehydration. As a result, your peace lily will not grow properly. 

Methods of revive

As the unstable temperature is a cause of your burnt peace lily, you have to ensure that your room temperature is 65-80°F (18-27°C) range. 

You can use thermostats to maintain room temperature. Additionally, your plant is not by the side of a radiator or a fireplace. It will provide your plants with their preferable environment which is very crucial for their growth and health conditions. 

Low Humidity

Your peace lilies like high humidity. Because they are used to the moist environment in the understory of rainforest. If you are wondering, Why does my peace lily have burnt tips? Then this can be the cause.

If the air surrounding your peace lily is too dry, then your plant can lose moisture. Hence, the leaf tips on peace lily will start yellowing or browning, and finally, it will become a burnt peace lily. 

This can happen if you place your peace lily in a room with low humidity, such as an air-conditioned or heated room, or if you expose it to direct sunlight or wind. 

Methods of revive

If you want to prevent burns and fix these issues, then increase the humidity around your plant.  You can consider misting the leaves with water, placing a tray with pebbles and water, or using a humidifier. 

These steps will help your plant retain moisture and also prevent further drying out. Moreover, you can group your peace lily with other plants to create a humid microclimate. You should maintain a humidity level of 50% or higher for your peace lily. 

Improper Watering

 Water is one of the most important factors that affect the health of your peace lily. Peace lilies prefer to have moist soil but not dry or soggy soil. Overwatering and underwatering both are harmful to burnt leaves of peace lily.

For example, overwater creates a waterlogged condition in the pot. Roots lead to rot and are affected by other fungal diseases. In this condition, your peace lily can’t absorb oxygen and other important nutrients. As a result, your peace lily is drooping, and their flowers turn burning. 

On the contrary, allowing the soil to dry out excessively between waterings can stress your plant and result in a burnt peace lily. 

Methods of revive

Peace lilies are dramatic, but they are not too thirsty plants. But the right amount of water is necessary for their growth, health, and appearance.  

To avoid overwatering, you should check soil moisture levels before watering. If the top inch of soil feels dry, it means time to water your plants.

While the underwatering issue is also harmful, a good rule of thumb of watering is once a week. 

Overfertilization

Fertilizer is necessary for plants growth but over fertilization can be detrimental. This is one of the causes of burning leaves of your peace lily. It can burn leaves by causing the accumulation of excess salts and minerals in the fresh soil. 

Salts can damage the roots and leaves of the plant. You can know about the over-fertilization by seeing these signs: 

  • Yellowing foliage
  • Brown tips and edges
  • Drooping and wilting
  • Small flower

Methods of revive

If you over fertilize your plants then at first you need to flush the soil with clean water to wash away as much fertilizer as possible. You should also reduce the frequency and amount of fertilizer you use in the future. You can also trim off the damaged leaves and repot the plant if necessary.

Pests And Diseases

Peace lilies are tropical plants. They are renowned for their resilience. But when they can’t get their preferred environmental factors such as light, water, temperature, and humidity, then they become more susceptible to pests and diseases.  

Some pests like aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, or fungus gnats can also be responsible for your burnt peace lily. These insects can feed on the plant’s sap, leading to browning, distorted leaves, or yellow leaves.

Some diseases, such as fungal infections, bacterial issues, mosaic viruses, or leaf burn,  can manifest as dark spots, discoloration, or overall poor health of your peace lily. Which resembles burnt or scorched symptoms. 

In a nutshell, The presence of pests and diseases compromises your plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and water. And gradually, it resulted in visible signs of distress including burns. 

Methods of revive

It’s necessary to deal with these pests and diseases promptly. To keep your peace lily healthy and free from pests and diseases, you should provide it with the right conditions, such as bright, indirect light, moderate temperature, high humidity, and regular fertilizing.

You should also inspect the plant regularly for any signs of trouble. You can treat the insects with neem oil or insecticidal soap. 

On the other hand, your peace lily can get a burn appearance naturally for their age.  

How Does The Age And Overall Health Of A Peace Lily Affect Burnt Appearance?

The age and overall health of your Peace Lily significantly influence its response to stressors and the manifestation of a burnt appearance.

Generally, a peace lily can live for a decade or more under optimal conditions. And your Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) typically reach maturity at around 3 to 5 years of age. 

How Does The Age And Overall Health Of A Peace Lily Affect Burnt Appearance

An older peace lily is more resilient and can tolerate more stress than a newly established, younger, and weaker one. In your younger plants, stress is caused by factors. It depends on direct sunlight, underwatering or nutrient imbalances can result in visible symptoms like brown leaf tips and yellowing.  

On the other hand, If your peace lily is older or more established and in good health, then it will exhibit greater resilience to stress. Also, it will show fewer signs of burning even when you expose them to less-than-ideal conditions. 

Types Of Pests Or Diseases That Can Cause A Peace Lily To Exhibit Burnt Symptoms

several types of pests or diseases can cause your peace lily to exhibit burnt symptoms. And you should know about these pests and diseases to keep your peace lily safe from them in the future. 

Types Of Pests Or Diseases That Can Cause A Peace Lily To Exhibit Burnt Symptoms
  1. Aphids: Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects. They can cause yellow spots and curling of the leaves. They can also transmit viral diseases to the plant.
  2. Mealybugs: These are white, fluffy insects that can hide in the leaf axils. They feed on the plant juices. They can also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract fungal growth and ants.
  3. Spider mites: These are tiny, spider-like insects that can spin webs on the underside of the leaves. They live by sucking the sap of your peace lily. They can cause the leaves to turn yellow, brown, or gray, and eventually fall off.
  4. Thrips: If you see tiny, elongated insects, usually about 1 to 2 millimeters in length in the undersides of leaves, along stems, and near your peace lily flowers. Then it is thrips. They can also cause the leaves to curl, distort, or drop.
  1. Fungus gnats: These are small, black flies that can lay eggs in the moist soil and feed on the organic matter and roots. They can cause your plant to wilt, yellow, or rot.
  2. Root rot: This is a fungal or bacterial infection that can occur when your plant is overwatered or planted in poorly drained soil. It can cause the roots to decay and also your plant to wilt, yellow, or die.
  3. Leaf blight: This is also a fungal infection of your peace lily that can cause brown spots with yellow halos on the leaves. It can also wilt, curl, or drop your plant. It can be triggered by high humidity, poor air circulation, or overhead watering. 
  4. Mosaic virus: This is a viral infection that can spread in peace lilies. It can cause a mottled pattern of light and dark green on the leaves. Ultimately this creates a burnt peace lily. 

Fertilization Practices To Revive Peace Lily Burnt

Peace lilies spread beauty in our indoor spaces. As much as their beauty fascinates us, their burnt appearance depresses us. But will my peace lily come back to life?

It’s necessary to provide them with the right environmental conditions to revive them. Providing proper fertilization can help you to make it possible. If you want to revive your burnt peace lily, they follow these fertilization practises:

Fertilization PracticesActionFrequencyWhy
Diluted Balanced FertilizerApply a balanced liquid fertilizerEvery 4-6 weeks (growing season)Provides essential nutrients for overall plant health.
Correct DosageFollow recommended dosage on the labelAs directedAvoids over-fertilization and prevents nutrient imbalance.
Apply to Moist SoilFertilize when the soil is slightly moistBefore wateringHelps nutrients dissolve and absorb into the soil.
Avoid Fertilizing Dry SoilDon’t fertilize dry soilPrevents potential root burn and stress.
Avoid Fertilizing Stressed PlantsHold off on fertilizing stressed plantsUntil signs of recoveryMinimizes additional stress during the recovery period.
Leach Soil OccasionallyFlush the soil occasionallyEvery 2-3 monthsPrevents salt buildup, ensuring proper nutrient uptake.

How To Care For A Peace Lily Indoors So That It Won’t Be Burnt?

Peace lilies are very popular indoor plants. While peace lilies are toxic, people like them for their ornamental appearance and air purifying abilities. 

However, your peace lilies can also suffer from a burnt appearance if you can’t give them the right conditions and care. 

Now I will explore some tips on how to care for peace lilies indoors so that they won’t be burnt:

  • Ensure adequate light conditions: Your peace lilies can tolerate low light indoors. But they grow well in bright indirect or filtered light. But never expose them in direct sun. You should choose a spot that receives bright but indirect light, such as near a window with a sheer curtain.
  • Temperature and humidity: If you want your peace lily won’t be burnt then ensure the temperature and humidity levels that can mimic their native environments. Peace lilies prefer temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) and a humidity level of 50% or higher.
  • Provide them with proper water: Peace lilies need regular but not excess water. Overwatering can cause root rot and underwatering can cause dehydration, leaf burn, and wilting. You have to check the soil moisture before watering. Consider watering your plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch.
  • Fertilize your plant: Peace lilies are not heavy feeders. They need very little fertilizer, as too much can cause salt buildup and leaf burn. You can use a balanced, water soluble fertilizer during their growing seasons like spring and summer. But don’t use garden fertilizer for peace lilies. 
  • Consider pruning: You also need to remove yellow or damaged leaves promptly to encourage new growth. It’s also necessary to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. 
  • Repotting: Your peace lily may need to be repotted every 1-2 years, or when you see roots coming out of the drainage holes. Repotting can help your plant have more room to grow and improve the drainage and aeration of the soil. You should choose a pot that is slightly larger than the previous one, and has drainage holes at the bottom. And use a well-draining potting mix. 
  • Pest and Disease Management: You should regularly inspect the plant for signs of pests or diseases. If you find any then treat these infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Why Does My Peace Lily Look Burnt After Repotting?

Your peace lily may look burnt after repotting because it is struggling to adjust to the new pot and soil. This can cause the soil to dry slower than before, which can create conditions for root rot.

Should I Remove Burnt Leaves From Plants?

Yes, you should remove burnt leaves from your plant as soon as possible, but only if they are more than 50 percent damaged. This will help your plant to receive more nutrients, prevent the spread of disease or pests, and improve its appearance. 

Can You Cut Back Peace Lily Leaves?

Yes, you can cut back peace lily leaves if they are damaged, yellow, or brown. This will help your plant to grow new and healthy leaves and prevent pests and diseases. 

Why Is My Peace Lily Leaves Turning Black

Your peace lily leaves can turn black for various reasons such as: improper watering, fungal infections, over-fertilizer, or age factor. 

Last words

If you can’t provide adequate environmental conditions that can mimic peace lilies native environment then your plant will show some signs. These signs indicate the stress of your plant and hamper its appearance. 

Burnt peace lily is one of these problems, as you want to know, why does my peace lily look burnt? 

Exposure to direct sunlight is the main reason for this issue, while other reasons can also play a vital role for burning peace lily. So you should not place your peace lily plant outside of the room or in a place where it can get the direct sun. 

You also can follow the fertilization practices that I share in the article to revive your plant from burnt appearance.

Raina Trick

Written by

Raina Trick

Meet Rayna Trick: Your Indoor Plant Whisperer! With her roots in environmental science and a passion for exotic succulents, she’s the Green Thumb of the Year. Rayna’s here to be your plant companion, sharing her expertise and nurturing your green oasis at PlantTrick. Let’s make your indoor space bloom, one leaf at a time, together!

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