Underwatering (thirsty droop)

What's happening

Peace Lily has very little water storage in its leaves, so the moment the soil dries out it loses turgor and the whole plant flops over dramatically. It's a built-in warning system: alarming to look at, but the plant is usually fine and recovers within hours of a good drink.

How to fix it

Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, and the leaves should perk back up within a few hours. If the soil is so dry that water runs straight through without soaking in, bottom-water instead: set the pot in a few inches of water for 20–30 minutes, then drain fully. Going forward, water as soon as the top inch feels dry rather than waiting for the dramatic flop — repeated wilting stresses the plant and crisps the leaf tips over time.

This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.