How to revive my wilting peace lily?

[01]

Hi all,

I'm from QLD and I have this peace lily in a 200mm self watering pot. It was thriving till late spring with like 5-7 flowers at once, and now it's like this. It's located close to the window but no direct light as it's just below the window sill, but there's also no direct airflow in that corner.

  

I checked the roots and changed the soil as I thought it might be root rot. Few rotted roots (like 3-4 max) that have been removed, and the rest are all healthy. Soil is Osmocote indoor plant premium soil mix. I normally bottom water it. I did that when I changed the soil. The top of the soil is still moist 2 days later.

What is causing this and what can I do?

[JacobZ]

Hi @01,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It sounds like your peace lily is dealing with a mix of excess moisture and recovery stress from being repotted. Even though you only found a few rotten roots, the combination of a self-watering pot, recent soil change, and lower light can keep the mix wetter than the plant prefers. Peace lilies like consistent moisture, but they struggle if the root zone stays saturated, which can easily happen when bottom watering in a humid QLD environment. The fact that the top of the soil is still moist after two days suggests that the lower half of the pot is likely holding even more water.

Your plant’s position just below the window sill means it receives bright but reduced indirect light, and that slows its ability to pull water from the soil. The lack of airflow also contributes to slower evaporation, so the plant has fewer opportunities to dry out between waterings. After a repot, roots are already a bit stressed, so these conditions can cause wilting even when the roots are mostly healthy.

The best first step is to let the soil dry a little more than usual. Allow the top few centimetres to dry before watering again, and avoid refilling the reservoir until the plant has clearly used more moisture. Switching to top watering for the next few cycles will help distribute water more evenly and prevent water from pooling at the base of the pot.

 You may also want to raise the plant slightly or move it so the leaves receive a bit more indirect light. Even a small increase in brightness helps the plant regulate its moisture balance. Improving airflow by pulling it out of the corner can also make a noticeable difference.

Over the next two to four weeks, keep an eye out for new growth. That is the most reliable sign that the plant is recovering. Some of the currently droopy leaves may not bounce back, which is normal after stress, and can be trimmed once fresh growth appears. Avoid fertilising for at least a month after repotting so the roots can settle in without chemical stress.

Based on what you have described, adjusting moisture and environment is likely all the plant needs to recover.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob