Why Are My Plant's Leaves Turning Brown?
Brown leaves usually come from too little water, low humidity, too much direct sun, or too much fertilizer, and the pattern of browning tells you which. Crispy brown tips and edges point to dry conditions, while soft brown patches point to overwatering.
What do crispy brown tips mean?
Crispy tips and edges are most often caused by soil drying out too much between waterings, low humidity, or a buildup of minerals and salts from tap water or fertilizer. Spider plants, peace lilies, and calatheas are especially prone to this. Water more consistently, and if you suspect buildup, flush the soil by watering thoroughly and letting it drain freely a few times.
What do brown, soft, or mushy patches mean?
Soft brown or black patches, especially with yellowing nearby and constantly wet soil, usually mean overwatering or root rot. The leaf is damaged from the inside because the roots are struggling. See our guide on root rot.
What do dry, bleached brown patches in the middle of leaves mean?
That is typically sunburn. Leaves that were moved into strong direct sun without gradual adjustment can develop pale or brown, papery patches. Move the plant to bright indirect light. Burned areas will not turn green again, but new growth will be fine.
Can fertilizer cause brown leaves?
Yes. Too much fertilizer leaves salts in the soil that burn root tips and leaf edges. If you see browning after feeding, flush the pot with plain water and hold off fertilizing for a while. Read our guide on how often to fertilize.
Should I cut off brown leaves?
You can. Trim the brown part or the whole leaf with clean scissors, since damaged tissue will not recover. Leaving a thin brown edge on a leaf is fine if you prefer to keep as much green as possible.
What if it keeps happening?
Look at the pattern: is it new growth, old growth, or everywhere? Compare against watering, light, and any recent changes like moving the plant or repotting it. A photo health check can help narrow it down.
Related reading: Why are my plant’s leaves turning yellow?, Should you mist houseplants?
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