Spathiphyllum or "Women's Happiness" is an elegant and very beautiful indoor plant that is very popular with flower growers. It attracts attention with its exotic flowers and can decorate any room. It is very easy to care for a plant, but still sometimes there are some difficulties and problems when growing it. Spathiphyllum loses its decorative qualities due to drying out or blackening of the tips of the leaves. Knowing the reasons for such changes in the appearance of the flower, you can cope with this problem.
Negative changes that begin to occur with a houseplant and its development, in most cases, are associated with incorrect conditions of detention... Spathiphyllum is a tropical plant, its appearance will necessarily react negatively if there is an excess or lack of moisture, air humidity or lighting. The presence of the decorative qualities of the plant directly depends on proper care.
For the full growth and development of spathiphyllum, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions. Diseases, the signs of which are drying or blackening leaves, can occur for several reasons. It is very important to notice the onset of the disease in time and take all the necessary measures to save the houseplant, and for this you need to know the features of the spathiphyllum and the conditions of its natural origin.
A tropical flower needs timely and correct watering, as well as an appropriate level of air humidity (approximately 70%). The plant will retain its attractiveness at home only with moderate and regular watering and spraying of the leaf part. It is recommended to blot excess moisture with a thin cloth or paper towel. An excess of moisture in the soil should not be allowed, as this will lead to rotting of the root system and the death of the entire plant.
Why do spathiphyllum leaves darken
Dry air or low humidity
Spathiphyllum tolerates dry indoor air very painfully. The tips of the leaves begin to dry out under such conditions and gradually change their color to dark. The appearance of the plant gives a signal that urgent moisture is needed in the form of spraying from a sprayer. A tropical plant in indoor conditions requires a moderately humid environment. It is important to take into account in such "water procedures" the air temperature in the room. In cool conditions, overspraying can lead to the death of the root of the plant.
Lack of fertilizers and nutrients in the soil
Blackened tips of spathiphyllum leaves can signal a lack of nutrition and feeding. The required quality and quantity of fertilizers will help to solve this problem.In the period from March to September, the houseplant is fed three to four times a month, and in the remaining months (and especially during the dormant period) once every thirty days will be enough. The top dressing should contain all the necessary nutrients for flowering indoor plants.
Oversupply of fertilizers
A large number of dressings and their frequent application to the soil, as well as an overabundance of certain nutrients, will only bring a negative result. When dry tips appear on the leaves, the frequency of fertilizing should be reduced, and the composition of the fertilizer should be revised. Excess mineral substances, for example, a houseplant, harm and spoil its external indicators. As a saving measure, it is necessary to urgently rid the flower of all damaged leaves, and temporarily suspend the feeding. The indoor flower will gradually recover.
Irrigation water quality and volumes during irrigation
Water for irrigation of spathiphyllum should be used only at room temperature and must be settled. Not only the state of the leaves depends on the softness of the water, but also the full development of the entire indoor flower.
Irrigation water volumes are also important. An excess of water leads to its stagnation in the soil and decay of the roots. The next watering of the plant is recommended only after the top layer of the soil has completely dried. After 1.5-2 hours after watering the plant, it is necessary to drain the excess water from the flower tray.
Lack or overabundance of sunlight and the choice of growing location
An unfavorable effect on the plant, and as a result, blackening of the leaves, has the wrong choice of place for placing an indoor flower. The optimal place for spathiphyllum is a window sill on either side of the house, except for the north. Direct sunlight and poor lighting adversely affect the decorative qualities of the pet. It is necessary to protect it from sunburn, and in the autumn-winter period, use additional illumination with fluorescent lamps.
Insufficient number of "water treatments"
The foliage receives the necessary amount of moisture with regular and abundant spraying during the warm summer months, and especially in hot weather. From such weekly bathing, the flower "female happiness" will look healthy and attractive.
Causes of yellowing of spathiphyllum leaves
Yellow leaves in spathiphyllum appear not only due to some kind of disease, but the plant in this way can devote all its strength to preparing for flowering or recovering after it. The same changes occur with the old flower, which no longer possesses sufficient strength due to its age.
It is necessary to figure out which leaves turn yellow at the flower - old at its base or young, just emerging shoots. There is nothing to worry about when old leaves turn yellow. So the flower gets rid of non-viable parts in order to direct all its strength to rejuvenation and the appearance of new leaves. When yellowness appears on young shoots, most likely, you need to pay attention to the lighting. Leaves can change their color when exposed to direct sunlight. Sunburn is very dangerous for this houseplant. It is worth moving the spathiphyllum to another room or rearranging it to another place.
If negative changes appear in the appearance of your indoor pet, you should not panic. If you find out in time the reason for the wilting and drying of the plant or its parts, then the flower can be saved and give it a second life so that it continues to delight with its exotic flowering.
