Peace Lilies

Q. I put my peace lily outdoors for some extra sunshine for about four hours on a sunny day...perhaps a bad idea. It now appears that her leaves are sunburned. They are no longer deep green but sort of reddish brown. Could this be? Also how often can I expect the peace lily to flower?

A. You most definitely burned the foliage. They can take some direct light not so much in the heat of the summer and definitely not in the heat and intensity of the day as between 12-5PM. The chlorophyll breaks down and the green color gives way to yellow brown or red. They will never return to normal but the new leaves will come out fine. You may see a bit of burn on the first leaves out as they were so tender when burned that they may have suffered too.

Once your plant recovers it should return to blooming regularly throughout the summer with good indirect light plenty of water and fertilizer every four weeks.

Here is some general cultural info for you:

Peace lilies are attractive indoor foliage plants that also produce showy white flowers. They are one of the few foliage plants that will flower in low light.

Most peace lilies grow between 1 to 4 feet tall and wide. The cultivar ?Sensation? can reach a height of 6 feet with an equal width.

Peace lilies are sturdy plants with glossy dark green oval leaves that narrow to a point. The leaves rise directly from the soil. These plants also periodically produce lightly fragrant white flowers that resemble calla lilies. The long-lasting flowers start out pale green and slowly turn creamy white as they open.

Peace lily will flourish in almost any well-drained potting mix. Soil should be kept moist but not soggy. The soil should dry out between waterings. Excessive drying out can cause the plant to wilt and the leaves and edges to yellow. When watering use water that is at room temperature.

Peace lily will survive low interior light but would prefer bright filtered light. Peace lily should not be placed in direct sun or it will sunburn. These plants need very little fertilizer. If you fertilize use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer such as 20-20-20 every two to three months. Peace lilies enjoy warm conditions between 68 and 85ø.

Q. I saw the Clemson article in my 7/9/01 e-mail about peace lilies. It stated that they need to dry out between waterings. I have mine outside in moderate light underneath my big air conditioner so it gets lots of water every day. It has never looked so good. The leaves are a rich green and the flowers and large and multiple. It stays pretty wet all the time. Didn't know who I needed to pass this info on to. Thanks for listening.

A. It just goes to show you that plants perform differently for various growers and variable conditions. The information supplied is always written in generalities even by the expert university researchers. I remember many heated arguments about culture in college during projects!

What works for you may or may not work for others. Just be thankful that your plants are doing great. Do not change a thing! In our African violet schools we stress that there is no one way to do things. Try and experiment for yourself and find what works best for you.

Q. I read the posts on the site about the peace lily...But let me tell you about mine. This was a nice size one that the family received in November when my grandfather died. It was big and beautiful. I carried it from my family home in NC to my new home in TN. It sat in front of the balcony door where it received morning sunlight through partially opened blinds. For the first 3-4 weeks it was doing great. I decided to take off the green florist wrap that it had come in and then I watered it forgetting that the florist pot had holes in the bottom. So after cleaning the water off the carpet I watered it again. I thought it probably didn't get enough water since my carpet got most of it. It seems that was a mistake. It has not perked back up since. It's bottom leaves are brown and all of the leaves are drooping most of them all the way on the floor. I tried repotting but that hasn't helped. Is there any way to save it?

A. You sound correct in your assessment that the plant was indeed overwatered. Most gardeners have done this so many times they have lost track...and paid as you are now. I am pleased that you repotted immediately sensing a last ditch effort may save it. I assume you watered it in again so it has been moist for quite a while. They are very sensitive to this occurrence.

Did you try to remove some of the old soil and replace with good fresh potting soil mix? Added perlite would help in lightening the mix and thus reducing the amount of water retained for the roots. I fear you have lost most of the tiny root hairs which are at the tips of roots. They are responsible for bringing water and food up into the plant.

I wish I could point a simple sure way for the saving of your plant but I cannot. Keep the plant as dry as you can without further wilting. Once the soil dries well root hairs will form unless the plant is beyond hope. Do not fertilize.