Struggling Peace Plant?

Question:

This question regards a houseplant. It is a peace plant that I have had for about seven months. It was repotted after several months. It looked healthy and beautiful for a long time, but somewhere along the line, I started over-watering it. Now, it is on its last legs. I removed all the old, dead growth underneath, replaced the top layer of soil with fresh potting soil in hopes that it would absorb some of the excess moisture, and punched holes in the soil to aerate it.

Is there any hope of reviving it?

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Thank you,
Barbara from St. Cloud, MN

Answer:

Barbara,

I would like to think there's always hope. For the time being, it sounds as though you've done all you can do to correct the situation. Your peace plant's survival depends primarily on how much damage its roots sustained before you made those corrections. About all you can do now is wait. Don't feel bad; it can be difficult to determine when peace plants are getting too much water. This is because tend to drink a lot of water and usually like to have their compost slightly moist all of the time (except during winter months).

When a houseplant (or any potted plant) becomes too wet, it's best to take the plant and the soil out of the container it was sitting in. Holding it will lots of support, carefully place it onto a thick stack of paper towels. This is the best way to soak up any excess moisture. Check the roots for signs of fungus, and let the plant sit and drain on fresh paper towels for the next 12 to 24 hours. The plant can then be placed back into its container, with fresh potting soil added around the top as necessary. Let the soil dry out before watering it again.

Good Luck!
Ellen