Why are my peace lily’s leaf tips turning brown?

Dry air is the most common reason for brown leaf tips on houseplants, says Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Uneven watering and fertilizer salts can also brown peace lily tips. Sun and chlorine in the water can play a part too. Check the air, how dry the soil gets between waterings, and when you last fertilized.

Updated 26 October 2026

What causes brown tips on a peace lily?

Several things can brown the tips, and more than one can be at work. Dry air is often the first suspect.

Low humidity. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach calls low humidity the most common reason for brown leaf tips on houseplants. It adds that home air is often dry, especially in winter.
Watering. The Royal Horticultural Society says brown tips may point to over-watering or, more likely, under-watering. Iowa State says letting plants dry out too long between waterings can cause brown tips or edges.
Fertilizer. Clemson Cooperative Extension says the edges can turn brown from overfertilization or from excessive drying.
Light. NC State Extension lists excessive direct sunlight among the causes. South Dakota State University Extension lists excess light too.

For a wider look at this symptom, see brown tips on houseplants.

How do I tell which cause is browning my peace lily?

Match what you see to the table, then test one change at a time.

Brown tips: clues and next steps
What you notice	What to check	A useful next step
Brown tips in a dry, heated room	Home air, especially in winter. Iowa State says it is often low in humidity.	Try a humidifier, a pebble tray, or grouping plants.
Brown tips with wilting or yellowing	Whether the soil dries out for long stretches. Clemson says excessive drying can cause wilting and yellow leaves.	Check the roots, as the Royal Horticultural Society suggests, and water more evenly.
Brown tips or edges and frequent feeding	Fertilizer salts. Iowa State says they can build up in the soil.	Flush the soil, cut back on fertilizer, and maybe repot.
Scorched look near a bright window	Direct sun. Clemson says its heat can scorch the foliage.	Move the plant to bright, indirect light.
Tips browning over a long time, with no other clue	Your water. Iowa State says too much chlorine or fluoride over a long period can cause brown tips.	Use a different water source if you suspect this.

Also look over the leaves. Clemson says peace lilies have few insect pests, but fungus gnats, mealybugs, spider mites and scales can be a problem, and it advises examining the leaves often. Read about spider mites if you spot them. If you use any pest treatment, follow the product label and pick a product labeled for houseplants.

Plant Doctor, an AI plant diagnosis app for iPhone, uses three photos of the plant to point to the most likely cause, with the evidence behind it.

How can I raise humidity around a peace lily?

Peace lilies like moderate humidity and steady warmth, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. It calls a bathroom an ideal spot.

Iowa State suggests a humidifier, a pebble tray, a terrarium, or grouping plants. The Royal Horticultural Society says to mist regularly or, better, stand the plant on a tray of damp gravel. As the water slowly evaporates from the tray, it raises humidity around the plant. Keep the pot sitting on the gravel, not in the water, since South Dakota State University Extension says peace lilies should not sit in water because it causes root problems.

How should I water and feed a peace lily with brown tips?

Clemson and South Dakota State University Extension both say to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Both also say to let the soil dry slightly between waterings. NC State Extension says you can water peace lilies from below.

Avoid very dry soil. The University of Illinois Extension says peace lilies don’t like being really dry, so keeping them slightly moist might help. Our guide to how to tell if a plant needs water can help you judge the soil.
Don’t leave water in the saucer. Clemson says to never let the plant sit in a saucer of excess water after watering, because this will lead to root rot issues. See overwatering vs. underwatering to compare the two problems.
Consider the water. South Dakota State University Extension suggests room-temperature water that has sat out overnight, so the chlorine can evaporate.
Go easy on fertilizer. NC State Extension says to fertilize at one-quarter of the recommended strength and to flush the soil between applications. Follow the label on whatever fertilizer you use.

Clemson says root and stem diseases are the most common peace lily problem and are usually linked to overwatering.

Peace lily questions

Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can. Iowa State says trimming the brown parts with scissors can improve the look for a while. New browning will return if the original problem isn’t fixed.

Could tap water be the problem?

It can be. Iowa State says too much chlorine or fluoride, over a long time, can cause brown tips. It suggests a different water source if you suspect this.

Does a peace lily need repotting for brown tips?

Not by itself. Clemson says peace lilies like to be slightly pot-bound. It says to repot if roots grow through the drainage holes or circle on top of the soil. NC State Extension says to repot, when necessary, in February or March. Iowa State says repotting may help when salts have built up. For more on timing, read whether to repot a struggling plant. For severe or unclear cases, ask a local nursery or your extension service.

Sources and further reading

Care guidance checked against the sources below. Plant Doctor’s app examples are separate from these references; the institutions do not endorse the app.

Drafted with AI from the sources below; each plant-specific fact checked automatically against its source on 24 October 2026.

This guide offers general plant-care information. A photo cannot confirm every cause; a local nursery or extension service can help with severe or unclear cases.