Why are the leaves on my peace lily turning yellow?

What's likely going on

From the photo, the plant is a peace lily (Spathiphyllum). The yellowing is mostly on the older, lower leaves, many of which are also drooping.

That pattern almost always comes from root stress, usually one of these:

1. Overwatering / no drainage – Peace lilies hate sitting in soggy soil. A solid decorative pot or a saucer that stays full can keep roots constantly wet, causing yellow, limp leaves starting from the bottom.
2. Underwatering (less likely here) – When very dry, peace lilies droop dramatically, but the leaves more often go crispy brown at the tips and edges rather than soft yellow.
3. Old leaves aging out – Some yellowing of the very oldest leaves is normal, but here it’s happening on too many leaves at once, so something in the care routine is off.

Without seeing the soil and pot base, overwatering or poor drainage is the most likely cause.

What to do

1. Check the pot and drainage
   Lift the pot. Is there a drainage hole underneath? If it’s inside a decorative outer pot, take it out and empty any standing water.

2. Test the soil moisture
   Stick a finger 2–3 cm (about an inch) into the soil. If it feels wet or muddy, wait to water until it’s just barely damp; if it’s bone dry and the whole plant is limp, give it a thorough drink.

3. Adjust watering
   Water only when the top layer of soil feels dry. Then water deeply until excess runs out the bottom, and discard the water from the saucer.

4. Trim damaged leaves
   Use clean scissors to cut off the worst yellow leaves at the base. This won’t fix the problem but helps the plant focus on healthy growth and makes it easier to see if things improve.

5. Consider repotting if soil is sour or compacted
   If the soil smells bad, is very dense, or you see black, mushy roots, repot into fresh, well‑draining potting mix and a pot with a drainage hole.

How to prevent it

• Keep the plant in bright, indirect light (like near a bright window but not harsh midday sun on the leaves).
• Develop a simple routine: water when the top feels dry, never on a strict calendar.
• Use a pot with a drainage hole and empty saucers so roots never sit in water.
• Feed lightly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer 2–3 times during the growing season; peace lilies don’t need much.

When to worry

• If new leaves (not just old ones) start yellowing quickly.
• If you see black, mushy, or foul‑smelling roots when you check the soil—that suggests root rot.
• If the plant stays limp even after correcting watering.

If any of these happen, a prompt repot into fresh soil and a draining pot is the best next step. Otherwise, with corrected watering, new growth should come in green and healthy over the next few weeks.