This phenomenon is often because of underwatering, overwatering, or lack of humidity.

But, don’t be discourageddiscolored foliage can be easily corrected once the underlying problem is identified.

Read on to discover why your peace lily leaves may be turning brown and how to fix them.

Peace Lily

Tatiana Foxy / Getty Images

Once you identify the problem, you could adapt and get your peace lily back on track.

Irrigation can be tricky until you establish a timetable to keep your plant in tip-top health.

Overwatering is the most common cause of brown foliage.

closeup of a peace lily

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Your peace lily’s soil needs to remain mostly moist, but over-saturation leads toroot rot.

The goal is to water your peace lily before foliage wilts.

This may involve trial and error, so investigate at the first sign of droopy leaves.

Closeup of pruning off spent peace lily leaves

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Check the top inch of soil for moisture and water when it’s dry.

Underwatering

Yellowing leaves are the first sign your peace lily may be underwatered.

Foliage will turn yellow, turn brown, and then die back.

Perhaps, once a week, you check to see if the soil is approaching dryness.

If it is, then you water thoroughly.

A moisture meter is helpful if you’re not confident in your ability to evaluate the soil.

This is why watering on a specific schedule often becomes insufficient over time.

Inadequate Drainage

Keep your peace lily in a pot with plenty of drainage holes.

Soggy soil leads to root rot, brown foliage, and discolored or absent flowers.

When the top inch of soil is dry, water but allow excess drain away.

Never leave the pot in standing water.

If the plant is root-bound, repot into a container that is one to two inches wider in diameter.

Temperature Extremes

Wide fluctuations in temperature stress peace lilies, which can cause leaves to turn brown.

These plants thrive in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees.

Avoid exposing your plant to cold drafts.

Choose a location away from doors and heating and cooling vents.

Prevent leaves from contacting cold surfaces like window glass.

Peace lilies suffer damage when daytime temperatures drop below 60 degrees.

Lack of Humidity

Peace lilies grow naturally in rainforest environments with consistently moist air.

Normal household humidity levels often are insufficient to keep foliage green and healthy.

Brown edges and tips are signs the plant needs more humidity.

Install a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home or near your plants.

you could also try grouping your peace lily with other plants or setting the pot on a moistenedpebble tray.

Improper Fertilization

Fertilizer applied too often or too concentrated may result in brown and damaged foliage.

Insufficient nitrogen also causes leaves to yellow.

Outdoors, microorganisms break down coffee grounds, releasing available nutrients for plants.

Indoors, this process is much slower.

Coffee grounds are more likely to sit on top of the soil and attract mold.

Too much direct exposure can scorch the large leaves, causing discoloration.

Place your plant in a location that receives bright, indirect light.

A few feet from a window is usually a good spot.

Should You Remove the Brown Leaves of a Peace Lily?

Smaller brown leaves can also be removed.

Older leaves die back naturally, so avoid removing too many large leaves.

The rule of thumb is to prune back no more than one-third of the plant at any time.

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Peace Lily Watering Tips

Watering houseplants.

University of Minnesota Extension.

Success with Houseplants Humidity.