Why Is My Peace Lily Not Growing? Essential Growth Factors

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It’s really disappointing when I see my peace lily is not growing properly. You may face the same problem if you do what I did.

I plant peace lilies because they can thrive with minimal care and bloom multiple times a year. When I see it’s not growing and blooming properly, I try to find out the reasons and the proper solution. Then I got to know not only me but also many of us are facing the same problem. 

Why Is My Peace Lily Not Growing

Then I discussed with some experts and tried to know why is my peace lily not growing?

I also found out the solution to these problems. By applying proper methods, my plants are growing well, and I’m enjoying their elegant white flowers. 

If you also want to solve this issue, read the full article.

Main Factors:

  • Insufficient light, overwatering, underwatering, over-fertilizing, temperature extremes, and pests are the main causes of peace lily not growing.
  • Provide bright, indirect light for at least 6 hours a day.
  • Water thoroughly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Apply weak but regular doses of balanced fertilizer during the growing season.

Normal Peace Lily Growth

AgeGrowth StageDescription
0-6 monthsSeedlingEmergence of first leaves and initial root development.
6-12 monthsJuvenileContinued leaf development and root system expansion.
1-2 yearsAdolescentIncreased leaf size and number, potential for first blooms.
2-3 yearsMatureFull leaf spread, regular blooming, and robust root system
3+ yearsEstablishedSustained growth and flowering, with care can live for many years. 

Why Is My Peace Lily Not Growing?

Growing issue is a common problem of a peace lily. Many people are wondering why is my peace lily plant not growing? I also faced the same problem. After 2 months of planting, I noticed my peace lily stopped growing. Then I found some reasons for this problem. 

Why Is My Peace Lily Not Growing

If your peace lily is not growing properly It means they are not getting the right environment like where they are native to. 

  • Insufficient Light: If you are wondering why has my peace lily stopped growing? Then lighting maybe the reason. If your peace lilies are not growing properly, check first if are they getting adequate light or not. Peace lily like shade, too. You can give them in the shade. Peace lilies need bright, indirect light to thrive. If you place them in too low light conditions, they won’t have enough energy to grow. 
  • Overwatering: Remember peace lily like a lot of water Many people think the more I water my plant, the more it will grow. But it is totally a misconception. Too much water can lead to root rot. It hinders the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and grow. 
  • Underwatering: Indeed, peace lilies don’t need too much water. But conversely, not enough water can cause the plant to conserve energy and not produce growth. Also it can cause your peace lily drooping. 
  • Over Fertilizing: While applying some fertilizer is necessary sometimes, too much fertilizer can damage the roots and prevent new growth of plants. Peace lilies have low fertilizer requirements. 
  • Temperature Extremes: Peace lilies are tropical plants. So that they are sensitive to temperature changes. Extreme temperatures and drafts can stress the plant and impede its growth. 
  • Pests: Pest infestation can be another reason for stopping the growth of peace lily. Infestations can damage the plant’s leaves and stems, which can also stop their growth. 
  • Pot Size:  Many people don’t focus on the pot while it plays a vital role in plant growth and overall health. If you use a too small pot, it will restrict the root system and limit its growth.   
  • Soil Conditions: If you are wondering why is my peace lily not flowering? Then check the soil frist. Peace lilies prefer well-draining soil. Compacted or poor quality soil can affect root health and plant growth. 
  • Humidity: Peace lilies need high humidity levels for their growth. Low humidity can stress the plant and slow down growth. 
  • Age of plant: Consider the age of your peace lily plant. Older peace lilies may grow more slowly than younger ones. This is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle. 

Sign Of Not Correctly Growing Peace Lily

How do you identify if your peace lilies are correctly growing or not? No worries if you don’t know. 

Actually, your peace lilies will show some signs when they do not grow properly. And it’s crucial to know for you. Otherwise, how do you ask, why does my peace lily not grow? So, let’s know the signs: 

Sign Of Not Correctly Growing Peace Lily
  • Wilting foliage: Wilting foliage is the common reason for not growing peace lily. Overwatering or underwatering can cause the leaves to droop. 
  • Browning leaves or leaf tips: When your peace lily can’t grow properly, you will see brown leaf tips. 
  • Yellowing leaves: Plants growth becomes stunted for various reasons. And this time, your plants show yellowing leaves. 
  • Failure to bloom: The important sign that indicates that your plant is not growing correctly is no flowering. 
  • Pest infestation: Pests like aphids or mealybugs can cause growth issues and damage the plant. 
  • Root rot: When your plant’s root will rot, its growth will be stopped. By identifying this you can confirm your plants are not correctly growing. 

Addressing these signs promptly can help restore your Peace Lily to proper health and encourage growth.

How Do You Increase The Growth Of A Peace Lily?

So, how do you increase the growth of your peace lily? To do this, you have to know how to care for a peace lily indoors.

I followed some necessary steps that helped me a lot to increase my peace lilies growth. Let’s see what did I do: 

How Do You Increase The Growth Of A Peace Lily

Provide Bright, Indirect Light

You should know how much light does a peace lily need. At first, I changed the place of my peace lily. After identifying their growth problem, I noticed that my plants were not getting adequate light. I heard they can thrive in a dark corner. It’s true, but for their proper growth, you need to provide some bright, indirect sunlight. They need indirect light for at least 6  hours a day. That’s why I place my peace lily near an east facing window. 

Note: Remember, don’t expose them to direct sunlight. It can scorch their leaves. 

Water Thoroughly

If your peace lilies are not growing properly and you want to increase their growth, then focus on your watering frequency. Because overwatering and underwatering both can impede the growth of your peace lily. You should keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You can check the soil moisture by touching the top inch of soil. If it feels dry, water your plant.  Peace lilies need drainage to remove excess water. 

Regular Fertilization

While peace lilies are not heavy feeders, to increase their growth, you should provide some fertilizers. During their growing seasons, I applied weak but regular doses of balanced fertilizer to promote their healthy growth. 

Maintain Warm Temperature And Humidity Levels. 

Peace lilies are native to the forest floor of tropical rainforests. There, peace lilies thrive in warm temperatures and high humidity. So, you should maintain a warm temperature and high humidity levels to mimic their native environments. 

Peace lilies prefer temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit and aim for humidity levels above 50%.

Remainder: You should clean the leaves regularly to ensure they can photosynthesize effectively. You have to cut the yellow leaves and old flowers to encourage new growth and blooms. 

By following these steps, your peace lily can come back to life, and their growth will also increase.

Feeding Schedule Of Peace Lily To Enhance Growth

It’s crucial to know how to feed properly to enhance the growth of peace lilies. Because over fertilizing can be detrimental for your peace lily. 

On the contrary, if you don’t feed your peace lily, it can’t grow correctly. 

You can follow the feeding schedule to ensure proper growth of your peace lily. 

SeasonsFeeding FrequencyFertilizer Type
Last winter to early spring Begin feeding as daylight increasesBalanced 10-10-10 NPK or higher in nitrogen
Growing Season (Spring to Early Fall)Every 6-8 weeksBalanced water-soluble fertilizer
Winter MonthsOnce every two monthsBalanced water-soluble fertilizer
Spring and SummerEvery 2-3 weeksHouseplant fertilizer as per instructions
SummerWeekly, or use slow-release pelletsLiquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets

Type Of Soil That Can Help You Grow Peace Lily

Not only for peace lilies but also for every plant, soil plays a vital role in their growth. So selecting the best type of soil is very important. 

The best type of soil for growing a Peace Lily is one that retains a little moisture but still drains well. Also it should be staying evenly damp without becoming soggy.

Now I will explore 3 best soil type that can help you grow peace lily: 

Type Of Soil That Can Help You Grow Peace Lily
  • Option 1: Mix 2 parts regular indoor potting mix or cactus mix with 1 part bark or perlite to increase aeration.
  • Option 2: Create a DIY mix with 5 parts orchid bark, 4 parts coir, 5 parts pertile, 2 parts worm castings. 
  • Option 3: Use a ready-to-use potting mix formulated for aroids, such as a premium monstera potting, which works well for peace lilies. 

Peace lilies also prefer slightly acidic soil. They prefer pH level between 5.5 to 6.5. So, it’s also important to monitor the pH levels to ensure the soil is not too alkaline or acidic for optimal growth. 

Pests And Diseases Of Peace Lily That Can Reduce Peace Lily Growth

Peace lilies are susceptible to only a few diseases. Also Peace Lily plants can be affected by some pests including thrips, mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. Fungus gnats are also common due to the high demand for water from this plant.

These pests and diseases can reduce the growth of your peace lily. So you should keep an eye for these common pests and diseases. 

Now I will tell you about these pests and diseases, their symptoms and troubleshooting: 

Pests/DiseasesSymptomsTroubleshooting
Root RotWilting, yellowing leaves, stunted growthEnsure proper drainage, avoid overwatering and let soil dry between waterings
Mosaic VirusMottled leaf pattern, irregular growthRemove affected leaves, isolate plant to prevent spread
ThripsSilvery streaks on leaves, distorted growthUse insecticidal soap or neem oil, remove heavily infested leaves
MealybugsWhite cottony masses on leaves and stemsApply alcohol with a cotton swab, use insecticidal soap
AphidsSticky residue on leaves, curled foliageRinse with water, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap
Spider MitesFine webs on leaves, yellow specklingIncrease humidity, rinse leaves, use miticide if necessary
Fungus GnatsSmall black flies around soil, larvae in soilAllow soil to dry out, use sticky traps, apply BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis)

Tips To Keep Peace Lily Growth Correctly

What do you think, will peace lilies grow back?  When I grow and care for peace lilies indoors, I have gained lots of experience. I faced many problems and figured out the solution.

Here are some tips to keep your peace lily growing correctly: 

  1. Consider placing your peace lily in a location where it can get bright, indirect sunlight. Keep away from direct sun. 
  2. Water your plants only when soil feels dry and use a pot with drainage holes. It helps to remove excess water. 
  3. You can mist the leaves regularly or set up a tray with full of water near your plant to increase humidity levels. 
  4. In their growing seasons, feed your peace lilies with a balanced, water soluble fertilizer every 6-8 weeks. 
  5. Remove yellow or brown spots leaves to encourage new growth and maintain plant health.
  6. If your Peace Lily becomes root-bound, repot it into a slightly larger container with fresh soil.
  7. You should keep an eye out for common pests like mealybugs or spider mites and treat promptly if needed.

If you want to enjoy a lush and vibrant peace lily in your home, then you should follow these tips. Remember, consistent care is key to the plant’s well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What Fertilizer Is Good For Peace Lily?

A good fertilizer for peace lilies is a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer with a ratio such as 20-20-20, diluted to one-half or one-quarter strength.

Do Peace Lilies Need Water Every Day?

Peace Lilies do not need to be watered every day. They generally require watering about once a week, but this can vary based on factors like the size of the plant, the soil mix, temperature, and humidity.

How Often Should I Water My Peace Lily?

The frequency of watering your Peace Lily can vary depending on several factors such as light exposure, temperature, humidity, and soil type. Generally, Peace Lilies should be watered about once a week. But you should check the soil moisture before watering. 

Why Is My Peace Lily So Small?

Your Peace Lily may be small for several reasons, including insufficient sunlight, improper watering, lack of fertilizer, or being pot-bound. 

Final words

Peace lilies are very popular indoor plants. They can care in minimal care. But sometimes we encounter some growing issues of peace lily. Many people said, why is my peace lily not growing?

Actually, to ensure proper growth of a peace lily, you should provide an adequate environment that mimics their natural habitat. 

Peace lilies’ growth can be stunted for various reasons. And to increase their growth you should handle all these reasons promptly. 

You can follow the tips that I shared in the article. It will help you to select the best type of soil and also you can take care of your plants properly.

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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