Peace Lily & Fern Crispy Tips in Winter — What Should You Do?
Dry, crispy leaf tips on peace lilies and ferns are extremely common in winter. These plants love humidity and struggle when indoor heaters dry the air. This guide helps you understand why it happens and offers simple, realistic fixes that work in typical U.S. homes.
Why peace lilies and ferns struggle in winter
Both peace lilies and ferns are humidity-loving plants. In their natural environment, humidity often stays above 60–80%. But in U.S. homes during winter, indoor humidity can drop below 20%, especially with heaters running nonstop. This dry air pulls moisture from the leaves faster than the roots can replace it, which leads to brown, crispy tips.
Is it dryness only? Or watering too?
Dry tips usually point to low humidity, but watering also plays a role:
- If the tips are light brown and papery → air is too dry
- If the tips are dark brown and soft → overwatering or poor drainage
In winter, peace lilies and ferns drink less, so overwatering becomes more common.
What you can do immediately
Here’s what actually works in typical American apartments and houses:
1. Increase humidity — the right way
- Use a small humidifier nearby (40–50% is enough)
- Place a water tray or pebble tray next to the plant
- Group plants together to create a mini humid zone
- Move plants away from heater vents
2. Adjust watering for winter
- Water only when the top 2 inches are fully dry
- Use room-temperature water
- Avoid heavy watering (white lilies especially hate wet feet)
3. Improve airflow and leaf health
- Trim only the severely crispy tips
- Wipe leaves once a month so they can breathe better
- For ferns, avoid cold drafts from windows
When to worry
These signs mean the issue isn’t just dry air — you may need to check your watering habits and drainage:
- The entire leaf turns brown quickly
- New leaves develop brown edges right away
- Soil stays wet for more than 7 days
- A musty or sour smell comes from the soil (possible root rot)
If your peace lily or fern gets crispy tips in winter, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong—it’s just fighting dry indoor air. Focus on humidity, avoid overwatering, and make small adjustments to placement and airflow. With the right balance, your plants will stay healthier through winter and reward you with lush, fresh growth in spring.
