11 Common Reasons Why Philodendron Leaves Turn Brown

Philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) are available a big number of shapes, sizes, and colours.

There are Philodendron species with vining or tree-like progress habits, sport small or large leaves, and vary in colours from inexperienced to pink, white to crimson, and nearly every thing in between.

There are even some varieties with reddish-brown foliage. But when the leaves begin to flip brown once they aren’t purported to be, it means one thing is incorrect with the philodendron plant.

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In our information to rising philodendrons, we offer an summary of tips on how to look after species on this numerous genus. Our roundup of 41 distinctive varieties supplies an perception into the highest decisions to develop at dwelling.

So we all know that brown leaves are a warning signal that one thing is amiss.

If you happen to’ve observed browning foliage the trick is to determine precisely what’s inflicting the issue and solely then can you establish what to do to repair it.

That’s the place this information is available in. We’re going to go over 11 frequent causes of browning leaves in philodendrons. Right here’s the lineup:

Narrowing down the issue takes some detective work. Broadly, if the brown space on the foliage is sunken, water-soaked, or if it has a halo, it’s extra more likely to be attributable to a pathogen.

Browning on philodendrons that primarily impacts older leaf progress and lacks these indicators is extra more likely to be attributable to an environmental drawback.

These guidelines don’t at all times apply, however they provide you a great start line to your investigation.

Listed here are the frequent issues that may trigger browning in philodendrons:

1. Bacterial Blight

If the brown areas on the leaves of your philodendron have a foul odor, it is best to instantly suspect bacterial blight.

The micro organism Erwinia chrysanthemi and E. carotovora subsp. carotovora initially causes darkish inexperienced, water-soaked spots, however these quickly unfold and merge to kind giant lesions.

Finally the facilities of the lesions would possibly fall out leaving ugly holes.

In time, the entire leaf will flip brown and mushy, with that foul odor I discussed.

The micro organism can lay low in a dormant state through the winter, tricking you into pondering that you simply’ve gotten forward of the issue, however it would rear its ugly head once more when the temperatures heat up once more.

Take away and destroy any symptomatic elements of your philodendron. If greater than 50 % of the plant is symptomatic, it’s greatest to toss it out, as therapy is unlikely to be efficient.

A product that incorporates the useful micro organism Bacillus subtilis may help suppress the illness and can be utilized as a preventative.

Stop is an efficient product that incorporates this useful micro organism.

CEASE Biofungicide

You could find it at Arbico Organics in gallon or two-and-a-half gallon containers. Comply with the producer’s instructions rigorously for software.

2. Bacterial Leaf Spot

Bacterial leaf spot is a illness attributable to the micro organism Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae, which impacts many various species of houseplants, together with philodendrons.

Signs begin out as tiny translucent spots alongside the sides of the leaves.

Finally, these flip reddish-brown and develop a yellow halo. It’s when the spots unfold and merge that they flip mild brown with irregular edges.

The micro organism that trigger this drawback want moisture to maneuver and reproduce, so overhead watering, excessive humidity, and splashing water will encourage the unfold.

Sadly, in case your philodendron turns into contaminated with this illness, there’s nothing you are able to do about it. You’ll should eliminate the specimen.

The micro organism can journey on contaminated crops, soil, instruments, and even in your palms.

That’s why quarantining new houseplants once you first carry them dwelling and washing your palms and instruments earlier than use is so essential. Don’t slack in your houseplant hygiene!

3. Chilly Harm

Most philodendron species hail from tropical areas, which implies they aren’t tailored to chilly temperatures.

Frost or freezing temperatures will probably kill the philodendron, however even temperatures that dip under 60°F may cause chilly harm.

Even should you preserve your own home good and toasty through the winter, strolling your plant from the automobile to the home, low temperatures throughout delivery, or leaving a door open can probably trigger chilly harm.

When you have single pane home windows or doorways that open straight to the outside – somewhat than a storage or touchdown – the draft from one among these may be sufficient to trigger harm.

Chilly harm usually seems as black necrotic spots, brown spots, and wilted or wrinkled foliage. When you notice that your philodendron has gotten too chilly, transfer it to a hotter spot, if mandatory.

Then, give it every week for all of the signs to completely develop after which you’ll be able to prune off all of the broken areas as a result of they gained’t get well.

They’ll drain the plant’s vitality and might go away the specimen uncovered to illness.

4. Leaf Spot

Leaf spot is much less frequent on houseplants than it’s on outside philodendrons, however the causal pathogens may be introduced indoors on an contaminated plant.

Then, they’ll quickly unfold on water droplets within the air or in your palms.

If you happen to examine crops previous to bringing them indoors and wash your palms recurrently when working along with your houseplants, it is best to be capable to keep away from points with leaf spot inside your property.

Pseudomonas leaf spot (Pseudomonas cichorii) initially causes small, water-soaked spots on the foliage that turn out to be giant, darkish brown spots with tan facilities and yellow halos because the illness progresses.

Closely contaminated philodendron leaves would possibly flip water-soaked and brown, and can rot earlier than falling off the plant.

This isn’t a species-specific pathogen. It may be a serious drawback in basil, celery, chrysanthemum, endive, lettuce, and pepper crops, to call a couple of.

It might reside within the soil for months and when the temperatures are between 68 to 83°F with plenty of moisture, the pathogens start to breed.

In the meantime, phytophthora leaf spot (Phytophthora parasitica syn. P. nicotianae) ends in giant, darkish brown, water-soaked lesions that may kill the leaf and, finally, the plant.

This illness, attributable to oomycetes, doesn’t persist with philodendrons alone. It’s a significant issue on lupines, nightshades, onions, tobacco, and watermelons.

Dactylaria leaf spot (Dactylaria humicola) is particular to philodendrons and begins as small tan spots with depressed facilities.

The spots themselves don’t usually develop as giant as different leaf spot varieties. This pathogen is fairly uncommon and solely tends to have an effect on outdoor-grown specimens.

Until you ship a pattern to a lab, it’s fairly onerous to inform which pathogen is inflicting the leaf spots.

For that cause, it’s greatest to deal with any of the above signs with a broad-spectrum fungicide. Copper is one choice, although it’s not as efficient as a few of the merchandise accessible.

A product like Procidic is efficient towards quite a few pathogens, each fungal and bacterial in nature.

It harnesses the ability of citric acid to kill pathogens on contact and in addition works systemically.

Procidic

You could find Procidic in 32-ounce ready-to-use spray bottles or 16-ounce or gallon focus containers at Arbico Organics.

Comply with the producer’s instructions and proceed utilizing it till new progress emerges and no new signs develop for no less than a couple of weeks.

5. Overfertilization

Overfertilization generally is a reason behind salt burn – mentioned under – in that dangerous minerals construct up within the soil. However making use of an excessive amount of fertilizer may burn the philodendron plant’s roots.

Browning leaf ideas or margins and yellowing of the decrease foliage is a reasonably good signal that it is best to contemplate overfertilization as your predominant suspect for discolored leaves.

Overfertilizing can occur slowly over time or unexpectedly from one main dose of meals.

It might additionally occur if the potting combine doesn’t drain properly and the fertilizer stays in touch with the roots for too lengthy.

If you happen to see signs and know you’ve presumably been a bit heavy handed with the plant meals, simply flush the soil to push these undesirable mineral salts out. We discuss flushing in additional element below salt burn.

An extended, thorough soak can scale back the fertilizer salts within the soil by about 90 %, so it’s extremely efficient.

And going ahead, make sure you fertilize your philodendron extra sparingly!

6. Overwatering

By many accounts, the primary killer of every kind of houseplants is giving them an excessive amount of water.

More often than not, once I discuss to somebody who says they’ll’t preserve their philodendrons alive, it’s as a result of they’re overwatering.

I get it. I was responsible of it, too. So many plant care guides inform us that the way in which to maintain houseplants completely happy is to water them as soon as every week or so. However it is best to by no means water on a schedule.

You need to water when your philodendron wants it, and the timing can fluctuate from species to species and month to month.

A water-hungry plant would possibly want twice weekly water in the summertime and weekly within the winter.

Or a cactus may not want any water in any respect through the dormant season and only a bit right here and there through the summer season.

Overwatering and root rot go hand-in-hand. However whereas the basis rot we discuss under is attributable to a pathogen, rotting roots can be attributable to merely including an excessive amount of water to the soil, depriving the roots of oxygen and primarily drowning them.

If you happen to overwater as soon as, it’s no biggie, however repeated overwatering usually results in catastrophe.

The primary signal that you simply’re being a bit too beneficiant with the watering can will likely be yellowing and browning leaves that find yourself droopy and wilted.

They may drop from the philodendron, relying on the species, however not at all times.

The answer, in fact, is to water much less usually. It’s at all times higher to err on the facet of offering too little water.

Normally, that’s sufficient to set your plant proper, although in case your plant is wanting very unhappy and also you need to be additional secure, take away it from the pot and toss out the soil. Trim off any lifeless roots and repot in contemporary soil.

You may additionally need to deal with for root rot as described under, as there’s at all times the danger {that a} pathogen can also be concerned.

Ensure that the drainage holes within the container aren’t blocked, and in case your pot doesn’t have drainage holes, choose one other one.

You should definitely empty the catchment pot or tray a couple of half hour after watering.

7. Root Rot

Signs of root rot are just like these attributable to overwatering, with the addition of pathogens within the Rhizoctonia and Pythium genera.

These fungal pathogens want plenty of moisture to outlive and reproduce, which is why they seem in soil that’s overwatered.

When a plant has root rot, the leaves will first flip yellow, then brown, and the specimen will wilt. The foliage usually gained’t fall from the plant. If the issue advances although, your complete plant will die.

In case your plant is in a pot, take away it and wash away the entire soil from across the roots. Prune off any black, mushy, or in any other case compromised roots.

Wash the container completely with scorching, soapy water after which repot the plant in contemporary soil.

Subsequent, it’s essential deal with the plant to kill any remaining pathogens. You must also deal with any philodendron that’s rising within the floor utilizing the identical course of.

Fortunately, biofungicides are efficient towards this illness.

There are alternatives on the market that include useful micro organism Streptomyces lydicus and Bacillus subtilis, in addition to useful fungus Trhichoderma asperellum.

Good outdated citric acid, thyme oil, and copper works, too.

I’ve saved a number of crops from a root rot dying utilizing copper fungicide and, my favourite product, Mycostop.

Mycostop is a biofungicide that harnesses the ability of a bacterium known as Streptomyces Pressure K61, which is derived from sphagnum peat moss.

Mycostop Biofungicide

It makes fast work of root rot once you apply it to the soil and base of the philodendron.

Choose up 5 or 25 grams at Arbico Organics.

Be taught extra about tips on how to cope with root rot in houseplants in our information.

8. Salt Burn

We’re not speaking concerning the type of salt burn you get once you open your eyes whereas swimming within the ocean. That is the sort that happens when mineral salts construct up within the soil.

Soluble salts like sodium, chloride, boron, calcium, and magnesium may be current in municipal water and fertilizers. Some areas have larger mineral content material of their municipal water than others.

As you irrigate your crops time and again with mineral-heavy water, the chemical compounds finally construct up within the soil.

The roots will take up these salts and it’ll trigger the ends of your philodendron leaves to show brown. Some species will drop their leaves, as properly.

To forestall this from occurring, it is best to flush the soil each three months or so. To do that, water your plant completely till the liquid is working out of the drainage holes.

Wait 5 minutes or so after which water once more till water is working steadily out of the holes once more.

Along with this, should you ever see a crusty layer of salt construct up on the floor of the soil, scrape it off and exchange the eliminated soil with contemporary soil.

Each few years, exchange the potting soil altogether. As potting soil ages, the natural matter breaks down and causes the soil to turn out to be compacted, depleted, and hydrophobic.

Regulate containers constituted of absorbent materials like terra cotta or unglazed clay. These supplies can soak up mineral salts.

You’ll be able to inform if the pot has absorbed salts as a result of you will note white discoloration on the outside.

Whereas it’d disappear should you wipe it with a moist material or when the container is moist, the white areas normally return when the pot dries out once more.

If this occurs, you’ll be able to submerge the pot in water for twenty-four hours or so to dissolve the salts or simply begin with a contemporary, new pot.

9. Southern Blight

Southern blight is a illness attributable to the fungus Agroathelia rolfsii (previously Sclerotium rolfsii).

It’s tremendous frequent in greens like tomatoes and a few ornamentals, however much less frequent indoors.

If you happen to use the identical instruments in your outside crops that you simply do in your houseplants, you’ll be able to carry it from the backyard to your indoor specimens.

Initially, it’s onerous to inform whether or not your philodendron is affected by southern blight or root rot. It begins with yellowing leaves that flip brown and wilt. Because it advances, although, you begin to see white and brown fungal plenty. That’s what units it aside.

The pathogen thrives in humidity and heat temperatures.

There isn’t a treatment for southern blight besides to toss out the plant and all of the soil with it. Ensure you sanitize the container, too, utilizing isopropyl alcohol or scorching, soapy water.

There are merchandise like Tenet WP accessible that include useful fungi within the Trichoderma genera, and these may be efficient at stopping the illness.

If you happen to’ve handled southern blight earlier than and also you’re nervous it’d come round, deal with with Tenet WP based on the instructions on the packaging.

Tenet WP

You should purchase 16 ounces of Tenet WP at Arbico Organics.

10. Sunburn

Sunburn occurs when a plant is uncovered to an excessive amount of direct mild, notably within the afternoon when the solar is the most well liked.

Within the case of variegated cultivars, if the white areas of the foliage flip brown, it’s probably because of an excessive amount of solar publicity.

Relying on the species, the suburned space could seem white to darkish brown and normally has a papery texture somewhat than being water-soaked.

It’s normally solely the leaves that had been uncovered to the brighter mild, although it will probably present up in different areas if the plant is extensively broken.

The answer, in fact, is to maneuver the plant into an space the place it is protected against the tough rays of the solar.

Lower off all of the broken foliage and if you wish to transfer the philodendron into brighter mild, that’s wonderful. Simply do it slowly over every week or two.

11. Underwatering

Underwatering is normally far much less of an issue than overwatering, however should you chronically underwater, the philodendron will develop dry, brown patches on the foliage.

If you happen to discover that the soil is consistently dry and your crops look like wilting earlier than perking up once you give them a drink, you’re underwatering.

Nonetheless, I can let you know from my very own expertise that minor underwatering isn’t a giant deal.

I wait till my heartleaf philodendron is nearly wilting earlier than I water it and it’s sturdy, completely happy, and rising extra rapidly than I can deal with.

Err on the facet of offering too little water should you aren’t certain how a lot or how usually to irrigate your crops.

For many philodendrons, they prefer to have evenly moist soil. However that doesn’t imply the soil ought to really feel moist or soggy.

It ought to really feel like a sponge that you simply wrung out actually completely. You’ll be able to even let the highest inch or so of soil dry out between watering.

Prune off any leaves which might be largely brown, as they gained’t get well and can simply use vitality.

Don’t Let Brown Leaves Get You Down

When a philodendron begins to develop brown leaves, you recognize one thing is incorrect. It is perhaps no massive deal.

Perhaps the plant was uncovered to a bit of an excessive amount of solar. Or it is perhaps a critical difficulty that wants quick consideration, like root rot.

Regardless, we hope this information units you on the trail to eliminating the brown and returning your plant to good well being.

If you happen to’re nonetheless having bother figuring out the problem, please tell us within the feedback part under. We’ll do our greatest that can assist you out.

And for extra philodendron rising know-how, put these guides in your studying listing subsequent:

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