One of the most rewarding experiences of gardening is seeing your plants thrive and blossom in all their glory.
The peace lily, in particular, is one of Australia’s favourite indoor plants. Their white, shiny flowers are a sight to behold, brightening up any room they’re in.
But, sometimes, these beautiful white flowers change colour, turning green or even brown.
Why Do Peace Lily Flowers Turn Green?
Those pretty peace lily blooms you see are called spathes.
There might come a time when these beautiful flowers transition to a shade of green.
These can happen for many reasons:
Natural maturation
One of the most common reasons a peace lily’s flowers turn green is simply because they’re ageing.
As the white spathe ages, it can begin to show green pigment as it’s essentially a modified leaf.
This green colouration allows existing blooms to photosynthesise more effectively.
Incorrect lighting
Peace lilies ideally need indirect sunlight.
The spathes might turn green faster if they receive too much direct sunlight.
Conversely, they may produce fewer white flowers and more green spathes if they receive too little light.
Stress
Like other plants, peace lilies can become stressed due to inconsistent watering, pest infestations, or being pot-bound.
Sometimes, even repotting a peace lily can cause more stress than it normally would!
These can cause the plant to divert energy away from maintaining bright white spathes, leading them to turn green.
Over-fertilisation
Giving a peace lily too much fertiliser can change the pH of the soil, which might affect the colour of the flowers.
An excess of certain nutrients can also result in greener spathes.
Environmental conditions
In some cases, the environment – factors like temperature and humidity – can play a role in the colouring of the spathes.
The plant might produce more green flowers if its growing conditions are less than ideal.
Genetics
Some peace lily varieties naturally produce spathes that are greener than others.
If you’ve bought a hybrid or a different variety, its natural flower colour might be different from the standard white.
How to Prevent Green Blooms on Your Peace Lily
While it’s natural for peace lily flowers to turn green as they age, there are a few steps you can take to prolong their radiant white appearance:
Provide adequate lighting
Peace lilies thrive in bright indirect light.
Placing them near a window where they can get filtered sunlight will help maintain their white blooms.
Consistent watering
Like all plants, peace lilies need water to stay healthy.
However, it’s essential not to over-water them. Wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before watering again.
Proper nutrition
Use a balanced liquid fertiliser, but avoid over-fertilising.
Once every 6–8 weeks should provide the nutrients your peace lily needs to keep its blooms bright and healthy.
Maintain an optimal growing environment
Peace lilies thrive in temperatures between 18°C to 30°C.
Make sure they aren’t exposed to sudden temperature drops or cold drafts.
Maintaining a high humidity level, especially during dryer months, can be beneficial.
Misting the plant or placing it on a tray with water and pebbles can help increase humidity.
Repot when necessary
If your peace lily becomes root-bound or outgrows its pot, consider repotting.
Repotting peace lily plants can alleviate stress and promote healthier growth.
Check for pests
Regularly inspect your peace lily for signs of pests like spider mites or aphids.
Address any infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Opt for known varieties
If you’re purchasing a new peace lily plant, go for known varieties that have a reputation for producing bright white spathes.
You can get the Wallisii Peace Lily or Little Angel Peace Lily.
FAQs About Peace Lily Flowers Turning Green
Do green peace lily flowers turn white again?
Sadly, once the peace lily flower turns green, it won’t revert to its original white hue.
This green stage is a sign of the flower maturing and nearing the end of its life cycle.
Should I cut off peace lily flowers that are turning green?
Professional gardeners recommend removing (or deadheading) spent blooms from your peace lily.
This not only makes the plant look tidier but also encourages the plant to produce new flowers.
Use a pair of clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to trim off the green or brown flowers at their base.
How long do peace lily flowers last?
A typical peace lily flower can remain in bloom for about one to two months.
After this, your peace lily flower can turn brown or green, depending on its age or other factors.
A Green Flower Isn’t Always Bad
While it’s natural to worry when its blooms begin to change colour, remember that this is a natural part of the peace lily’s life cycle.
Following proper peace lily care can help ensure your plant’s flowers last as long as possible.
