Saving an Overwatered Peace Lily: Pot Size, Watering, and Pest Control

Common Peace Lily Problems

• Oversized pot: Peace lilies need a pot only slightly larger than the root ball; they like to be rootbound.
• Overwatering: Watering twice a week is far too much. Water only when the soil is bone dry (every 10–14 days).
• Fungus gnats/larvae: These pests thrive in constantly wet soil and indicate root rot.

Rescue Steps

1. Repot into a correctly sized container with well-draining soil.
2. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
3. Remove dead leaves and flowers—this won't harm the plant.
4. Reduce watering drastically; the pests will disappear as the soil dries.

Peace lilies are resilient and will recover once the root environment improves.