Peace Lily Root Rot - Signs & How to Treat
A plant with a creamy white flower, the peace lily grows quickly. It is also known as "Spathiphyllum Wallisii" is an attractive plant that has been cultivated for centuries in The roots of this plant frequently rot at the base, making it difficult to move the plant and stifling its growth and beauty. In this article, we'll briefly discuss peace lily root rot, symptoms of peace lily root rot, how to treat it, and how to clear up any confusion you might have.
However, when it comes to root rot, the peace lily is not one of the tolerant plants that can tolerate any kind of environmental condition. They take up the white flag right away.
One question remains, though: how can you tell if the root rot in your peace lily needs to be treated? Let's find out.
What is Root Rot?
The term "root rot" refers to a fungal infection that develops in or on plant roots as a result of numerous problems, such as inadequate soil management, excessive watering, and poor drainage systems. Learn how to spot root rot and how to avoid it in your home. Tips for maintaining strong roots are provided in this article. We also discuss the best ways to prevent root rot and its common causes.
Trim the afflicted roots to cure peace lily root rot. Use a fungicide solution to thoroughly kill pathogens before disinfecting the remaining healthy roots. Repot your peace lily now using fresh soil and a container. Clean the old container and soil first if you intend to reuse them. Additionally, topsoil should only be watered when dry.
The best way to guarantee that all of your peace lilies stay healthy, though, is to prevent root rot.
Common Symptoms of Peace Lily Root Rot
Once the roots have begun to rot, they are very visible. Some of the common symptoms of peace lily root rot are:
Leaves Start Wilting
The leaves wilt when they become wet and don't receive enough nutrients from the air. One of the primary causes of wilt is overwatering. Overwatering causes the roots to fail and suffocates the plant by preventing them from supplying it with nutrients.
Look for root rot any time you notice drooping or wilting leaves.
Leaves Turn Yellow
The leaves turn yellow in the fall. It is well known that this is the main cause of overwatering. Your plants are trying to tell you something is wrong when they start to produce yellow leaves, so check the roots right away.
- Read More: Why Is My Peace Lily Not Blooming
Stunted Growth
Stunted Growth is primarily caused by root rot. This typically occurs if the roots have been exposed to wet soil, as might occur in poorly drained areas.
The most important thing for your peace lilies is to make sure that they have enough light and water (according to the need). If the soil is well-drained, your plants will be happier, and they'll grow to their full potential.
- Read More: How Long Do Peace Lilies Last
The Appearance of Black Spots
It's not always the case that black spots on your peace lily are the first indications of root rot. They could indicate past problems for your peace lily, such as root rot, or potential future problems. You'll notice black spots on the leaves of the peace lily that are surrounded by a yellow hue once the bacteria and pathogens damage the young roots of the plant.
- Read More: Peace Lily Drooping & Keep Wilting
The Soil Produces a Bad Smell
A bad odor coming from the soil may be detectable. Your peace lily definitely has root rot if you notice an unpleasant smell. Root rot typically starts before you notice yellow leaves or brittle stems.
- Read More: What Is The Best Soil For Peace Lily
Causes of Root Rot in Peace Lily
For peace lily root rot, there may be a variety of causes. Some of the most common reasons for root rot are:
Low Light
Low light is not fatal to peace lilies, but it can slow their growth. When a plant is living in low light, it reduces the rate of photosynthesis and its metabolism due to which the soil takes longer to get dry. Soggy soil damages the roots and is the main reason for pests and fungi
According to experts, root rot is primarily caused by all of these issues.
- Read More: How Much Light Does a Peace Lily Need
Overwatering
The peace lily is a plant that prefers a little bit of moisture in the soil, but too much moisture can cause the roots to rot. Water your peace lily frequently, but avoid letting it get soggy, if you want to grow one in your garden.
Regular watering helps peace lily grow more smoothly. However, excessive watering causes root rot. The plant won't receive enough oxygen to grow. As a result, the root eventually perishes, and then the plant perishes as a whole.
Poor Drainage System
Even if you are watering your peace lilies properly, there may still be a problem if the pot doesn't have enough holes for the water to drain into the soil. The additional water that is left in the pot will saturate the soil and cause air to become trapped there. Here is a fantastic self-watering planter that, thanks to the drainage system, prevents root rot. Modern self-watering pots are designed with holes to prevent peace lily root rot. (Read More: Peace Lily Turns Black - 10 Causes & How to Solve)
Root rot is a result of all these circumstances' low oxygen levels.
Large Pot Size
Due to a variety of factors, many people think about growing a plant or a seedling in an oversized pot. The peace lily can hold more potting soil and consequently more water. This is the biggest problem for the peace lily root rot.
- Read More: How To Grow Peace Lilies Outdoors
How to Identify Peace Lily Root Rot
The yellowing or withering of peace lily leaves is probably the first sign of root rot. Additionally, leaf loss and slowed plant growth are both effects of root rot.
You might also see mushy, rotting stems because rot spreads from the roots to the leaves.
Since root rot can cause your peace lily to pass away in more or less 10 days, it's critical that you take action as soon as you notice these symptoms to identify the problem.
The first step in identifying and confirming root rot is to remove the plant from its pot by carefully prying it away from the soil.
Carefully shake the soil away from the roots and check for root rot.
Root systems of healthy plants are white and firm, but in the event of root rot, they will turn soft and brown. Read More: Why Do My Peace Lily Leaves Tips Turning Brown
You may also notice a swamp-like smell, or even a sulfur smell, which also indicates root rot.
Peace Lily Root Rot Treatment
If you have a peace lily at your home and by reading the above symptoms you think that your peace lily is suffering from Root Rot! You can get rid of root rot in your plant in one of two ways.
- Repotting your Peace Lily in a new pot. (Read More: How to Repot A Peace Lily)
- By using Self Watering Pots with Air holes
Repotting the plant
Repotting will provide a fresh, new, and dry environment that will help remove the fungus from the plant.
Any peace lily roots that are damaged need to be repotted because they will impede the plant's development.
Here's how you can repot your peace lily and can get rid of the peace lily root rot:
- Holding the main stem of your peace lily, carefully remove it from the pot.
- Remove your peace lily from the pot, then use a gentle stream of water to remove the soil.
- Cut off any leaves and damaged branches that are visible. Do this even if there are no obvious problems because the cuts will help your plant recover by allowing in more light and air.
- You can also use fungi spray on the infected roots or also can soak them in bleached water to remove all the bacteria from the roots.
- Take the fresh dry pot now and let the drainage holes open. Must not forget to add some pebbles to the hole's bottom. This will keep the drainage holes clear so they don't get clogged.
- Fresh, well-draining potting soil should make up one-third of the pot.
- The Peace Lily should now be placed in the pot, and fresh soil should be gradually added from all sides.
- The soil should be lightly moistened before planting the peace lily plant. Put the peace lily in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight after it has been repotted. The peace lily plant may become stressed if too much light is provided during this time, so keep that in mind.
How to Prevent Root Rot in Peace Lily by Using Self Watering Pot?
The risk of root rot in peace lilies is significantly reduced by using this adorable self-watering head pot with air holes. These are the containers that deliver water directly to plant roots while letting the plant take its time absorbing it. These self-watering plants are known to be the caretakers of the plant's roots.
The reservoir system is essentially how these self-watering pots operate. The container's bottom contains a water storage tank. This makes it easier for the plant to consistently ingest the amount of water and soil moisture it needs.
Can a Peace Lily Plant Recover from Root Rot?
If you notice the symptoms of root rot in your peace lily plant in time, it will probably recover. You can revive the plant by administering the appropriate care, such as chopping off the damaged roots and treating with a fungicide.
Here's what you can do to prevent root rot in peace lilies:
- Your peace lily should be planted in potting soil or loamy, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
- To ensure proper drainage, enrich the soil in a garden with decomposed organic matter.
- Raised beds are an additional option, as is soil with good drainage.
- Use a mix of peat-based soil containing sand to retain moisture and nutrients without waterlogging the root zone.
- Make sure the peace lily's pot has drainage holes at the bottom.
- Only water the plant when the soil is dry.
Conclusion
Root rot can affect any type of plant because it is the base killer disease of plant and it can be fatal if you don't take this on a serious note. Keep an eye on your peace lily's development and, if you can, try to gather a report once a week.
If the root system of your peace lily becomes too unhealthy, there is, regrettably, no going back. In this situation, the only options are to condemn the plant or completely destroy it.
FAQs
How to Treat Root Rot in Peace Lily?
Root rot in peace lilies can be treated by trimming off all of the affected roots and washing away all of the affected roots' soil. When you suspect soil to be fungus-infected, remove it and sterilize it as well.
How to Repot a Peace Lily With Root Rot?
You can easily repot a peace lily by following the steps below:
- You should get rid of the plant's pot's soil.
- Wash the pot using the bleaching technique.
- To eliminate the fungus that causes root rot, dip the plant's remaining roots into the fungicide solution.
- Repot your peace lily plant after adding the potting soil.
How to Save a Peace Lily from Root Rot?
Peace lily can be saved easily by the below points:
- Remove damaged foliage of your peace lily.
- Place your plant in bright light but not in direct sunlight.
- Place it under the room temperature of nearly 75 - 78 Fahrenheit.
- Pot size should be larger than the plant's root ball
- Do not water more often as it causes it hard to breathe the plant
- Every two weeks, clean up the soil in your pot.
We have also covered all the safety points to save your peace lily from drooping or root rotting and root bounding visit Peace lily Drooping
How to Tell If Peace Lily Has Root Rot?
Most often, plants like peace lilies suffer from root rot. The main signs of root rot disease are leaves that turn black or brown and die, with spots and margins in the centers. If the atmosphere is humid, the spots will appear wet and mushy.
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