Root System Damage to a Peace Lily

Symptoms

• A peace lily suffering from root problems may display a variety of different systems. Lower leaves begin to turn yellow and eventually die. You may also notice flowers that do not bloom, falling flowers or a plant that remains wilted even after watering. The best test for peace lily root rot is to gently remove the lily from its pot and check the roots. If the root tips are damaged, they will be discolored, slimy and limp or mushy. If the infection spreads into the stem, it may show water-filled spots near the soil line.

Causes

• Nearly every cause of root system damage in peace lilies is related to wet conditions. Overwatering is the main cause of root system damage in peace lilies. Heavy, poorly drained soil such as clay soil is another main cause. Another cause is using containers without enough drainage. Wet conditions invite fungus to infect the plant's root system, depriving the lily of water and nutrients and killing it. Inadequate light can also indirectly cause root system damage because fungi thrive in cool, damp and dark conditions.

Prevention

• Plant peace lilies in pasteurized soil that is free of disease. Avoid overwatering by watering your peace lily deeply, until water pours out of the bottom of the planter. Wait until the soil is dry to 1 inch below the soil line before watering again. Also, plant peace lilies in containers with plenty of drainage holes. Use a soil that is well drained, such as one supplemented with perlite or crushed rock. Give your peace lily plenty of filtered sunlight. Apply a preventative fungicide such as etridiazole or thioplanate methyl with etridiazole to the lily's soil once the lily begins to bud.

Treatment

• If your peace lily has developed root system damage, examine its roots. If the damage is minimal and most of the roots are intact, remove any affected roots and place it in new, pasteurized soil with improved drainage. Throw out the old soil and do not plant anything else in it. A thiophanate-methyl fungicide can be applied at this point, although it may not be effective if the root system damage is severe.