Peace lily leaves will be saved from turning brown, yellow or droopy with 1 easy job

Peace lilies are generally billed as easycare houseplants, but they may need extra care if they start to sag or turn brown or yellow. Should you see the foliage beginning to turn yellow, brown or wither, this is most probably down to your watering technique.

A major cause of damaged leaves in peace lilies stems from excessive watering, and throughout autumn, plant owners tend to maintain their summer watering routine despite cooler conditions. Although these plants hail from the rainforest, they don't require copious amounts of water. Indeed, they favour slightly dry conditions over soggy ones, according to horticultural specialists at The Little Botanical.

"An overwatered plant will develop yellow, brown, droopy, rather sad-looking leaves, so it's best to avoid this if you can," they explained. "The good news is, when you know how to check if your peace lily is ready for a drink, you can easily avoid an overwatered plant."

Allowing the uppermost inch of compost to become dry before the next watering session is crucial. Bottom watering proves most effective for peace lilies. All you have to do is place the plant in a dish filled with water and leave it to drink.

Remove any remaining water after approximately 15 to 20 minutes to avoid waterlogged soil.

Properly watered peace lilies should have soil that feels slightly damp when touched but never saturated, as this may damage the root system. Peace lilies are particularly sensitive to the chemicals found in tap water, so "filtered water is best for them".

Essentially, tap water contains magnesium and calcium, which can be harmful to these plants or leave a white residue on their leaves.

One solution is to let tap water sit for a couple of days, allowing these harmful chemicals to dissipate.

Plant enthusiasts could also boil water and let it cool, or allow tap water to "dissipate" harsh minerals for at least 24 hours in a watering can.

Another important factor to consider during autumn is where they are placed at home. Peace lilies are sensitive to cold and should not be placed near a draughty window.

Given that peace lilies thrive in humid conditions, it's crucial not to place them near a radiator, as this can dry them out.

The optimal spot for a peace lily is near a window, but not directly in it, ensuring it receives enough sunlight to bloom.