Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) Leaning and Leggy: Light and Water Fix

Reader's peace lily leaning, long stem, poor growth. Asks about pruning for new growth.

Root Cause

• Needs more light AND/OR water.
• How watered? What light?

Science: Auxins and Light

• Sunlight reduces stem auxins (growth hormones).
• Low light → high auxins → long, weak stems.
• Heavy leaves on weak stems → leaning.
• Fertilizer makes MORE auxins → worse without light.

Fix

Increase light (bright indirect, no direct burn). Correct watering. No fertilizer until light adequate. Pruning won't fix hormonal imbalance.