• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

All Things Gardener

Gardening?Information Center

  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Get In Touch
  • Gardening News

Brown Spots On Houseplant Leaves: Uncovering The 6 Causes And Ultimate Solutions!

December 28, 2022 by Evelyn Vinata

Brown Spots On Houseplant Leaves: Uncovering The 6 Causes And Ultimate Solutions!

Have you noticed brown areas on the leaves of your houseplants …

… or any unattractive brown areas in the foliage?

If so, you may be wondering what the issue is …

There are a number of reasons that leaves appear brown …

… but most of them can be avoided and even attended to.


Key Takeaway

IN THIS ARTICLE:

  • Key Takeaway
  • What Causes Brown Spots On Leaves?
  • How To Cure Browns Spots on Houseplants?
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently Asked Questions

So what are the causes of the brown spots? Some of the common problems are excessive lighting, low humidity, pest, rust, bacteria, fungal leaf spot, watering problems, and fertilizer problems. More details below can be read.


Hear it from Tana!

I’ve never ever been a major gardener in my entire life.

But having houseplants at home is something I require …

… because houseplants have actually helped me by providing greeneries …

… in your home, in the middle of city life.

Houseplants have also done a lot to help me unwind when I get home from work.

As a result, the two conditions simply do not add up for me.

Specifically this one time when I observed brown areas on most of my houseplant’s leaves.

My very first idea was that I put them in a location where the sun is the brightest.

This guess was based upon common knowledge …

… that crisp brown edges usually are due to extreme heat.

Read Also:How To Get Snake Plant Bloom! Amazing Tips 2021

Nevertheless, I place most of my houseplants indoors several feet far from the window light.

So, why is there any way to treat brown spots on my houseplants?

Have the exact same problem?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

We will talk about in this short article how to fix brown areas on leaves …

… and the most typical reasons that they appear.


What Causes Brown Spots On Leaves?

Brown spots
Credit: birdsandblooms.com

Brown areas on houseplants can be brought on by 6 different things. They consist of:

  • Excess light/scorching
  • Low humidity
  • Insects
  • Leaf spot illness
  • Watering problems
  • Fertilizer issues

Taking each condition one by one, let’s check out the cause and find a solution for your plant…


Excess Light

Brown spots 1
Credit: mrtreeservices.com

Generally, houseplants grow in the shade of the forest…

This suggests that they might have changed well with the much shorter levels of light located within your home.

It is very important, though, to remember that excessive light …

… can cause plants to burn or burn.

If burned or scorched, you’ll find brown spots on their leaves …

… brown tips, or even pale yellowed leaves.

In extreme cases, you might recognize a mix of these signs.

Hence…

To determine whether your plant is experiencing these signs …

Read Also:Snake Plants With Beautiful Yellow Borders (2021)

First, determine the direction of lighting it receives.

Leaving the leaves too close to synthetic light or direct sunlight …

… may make them burn, leading to brown leaf suggestions and brown spots.

If you could move the plant farther from the window you might lower the strength of the light.

The plant can also be moved far from direct sunlight …

… so that it only receives intense, indirect light, which fits many houseplants.

Moreover…

The intensity of the light may also alter with the seasons which can cause scorching.

If you had a delighted plant in a south-facing window over the winter season …

… you might need to move it farther away …

… or to a new area in the summertime as the light intensity boosts.

In case only a few leaves have actually been damaged you can prune these off safely.

If the plant is severely affected, you must wait …

… till new growth has actually begun before pruning the harmed leaves.

When getting rid of scorched leaves, try to mimic the natural shape of the plant’s leaves …

Premium bypass pruning shears for your garden - heavy-duty, ultra sharp pruners made with japanese grade stainless steel - perfectly cutting through anything in your yard - includes lifetime warranty

If the tips are damaged, you can trim them off with sanitary, sharp blades.

Despite the fact that blister damage can not be changed … 

… the plant will ideally grow brand-new, healthy leaves in due course …

Read Also:Ultimate Guide To Notice Over Fertilized Snake Plant (2021)

… and the old leaves can be excluded to make your plant fresh.

Get your plants inside your house!

Brown spots on the leaves could also be caused by disparity in lighting.

LED Spectrum Lights can be used to provide the best lighting for your indoor plants.

Barrina plant grow light, 252w(6 x 42w, 1400w equivalent), full spectrum, led grow light strips, t8 integrated growing lamp fixture, grow shop light, with on/off switch, 6-pack
Barrina Plant Grow Light, 252W(6 x 42W, 1400W Equivalent), Full Spectrum, LED Grow Light Strips, T8 Integrated Growing Lamp Fixture, Grow Shop Light, with ON/Off Switch, 6-Pack
  • Full Spectrum - Barrina LED grow lights 4ft provide indoor plants with full-spectrum sunlight replacement. It provides the most reasonable grow light wave based on the ratio of the absorption of the plants
View Product

Next…


Low Humidity

Brown spots 2
Credit: galmicheandsons.com

The humidity in your home and particularly around the plant may be contributing to crispy brown leaf tips.

If this is the case, you may need to alter the humidity level.

If you notice leaf drop and flower buds are falling off…

… the cause could be too little humidity.

When humidity levels are too low, plants such as Calathea …

… will rapidly develop brown spots or leaf tips.

As the winter season approaches, it’s normal for humidity increase inside a home …

… to fall considerably given that cooler air contains less humidity and main heating will likewise dry out the air.

A digital hygrometer is an excellent investment if you struggle to keep your plants healthy.

At a glimpse …

You can see how humid your house is and change the humidity levels appropriately.

Plants need greater humidity than what is found in the house …

… so you must put the plant on a pebble tray so that it can grow.

Pebbles must be positioned in a meal and water must be poured over them …

… so that the water does not quite reach the top of the pebbles.

You should place your plant pot over the pebbles, but not directly in the water…

… because this will contribute to raising the surrounding humidity.

You can group plants close together to increase the humidity around them.

After the plant has recovered, cut out just the brown ideas with tidy, sharp scissors.

If you discover a leaf that is more than two-thirds brown, it may be needed to remove it completely.

The solution? You can always spray water around the plants to increase humidity with a bottle sprayer.

Vivosun 0. 4 gallon handheld garden pump sprayer, 50 oz gallon lawn & garden pressure water spray bottle with adjustable brass nozzle, for plants and other cleaning solutions (1. 5l red)
VIVOSUN 0.4 Gallon Handheld Garden Pump Sprayer, 50 oz Gallon Lawn & Garden Pressure Water Spray Bottle with Adjustable Brass Nozzle, for Plants and Other Cleaning Solutions (1.5L Red)
  • Multi-Functional: VIVOSUN 50-ounce handheld pump sprayer designed for spraying plants, car cleaning & maintenance, pet bathing and more indoor or outdoor cleaning solutions; Especially suitable for indoor use; This product is tested to ensure safety at water temperatures up to 131°F
View Product

Pests

Brown spots 3
Credit: smartgardenguide.com

Nothing is more dismaying than discovering leaves with small brown spots.

That’s when spider mites have actually taken over.

Besides mottled leaves, you might also see great webbing …

… on the underside of the leaves, which also suggests the presence of spider mites.

You can get rid of the spider mites in various ways.

Washing spider mites off with room temperature water…

… is one of the easiest and least pricey methods of control.

Ensure that contaminated plants are cleaned as soon as per week …

… making certain to rub off any webbing that’s present.

Maintain a high humidity level around your plants … 

… during the time in between washings to prevent the spider mites from spreading.

In addition to room temperature water, you can use neem oil to the leaves!

Other sap-sucking bugs might likewise cause damage to leaves.

Mealybugs, aphids, thrips, and scale are common culprits…

All these bugs feed by sucking the sap from the leaves …

… and stems of your houseplants, damaging a little spot…

… around where they feed, triggering brown or yellow areas on the leaves.

Frequently inspecting your houseplants for indications is great practice …

If you assume an invasion, quarantine your plant right away.

Get the pest away by spraying neem oil on the leaves of your plants

Natria 706230a insecticidal soap organic miticide, 24 oz, ready-to-use
Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide, 24 oz, Ready-to-Use
  • Insect killer: kills aphids, mealybugs, mites, white flies, and more
View Product

Rust

Brown spots 4
Credit: planetnatural.com

The brown spots on your plant’s leaves are actually collections of spores …

… and the brown rings under the leaves generally describe rust.

Rust is a fungus that typically occurs in moist environments.

Rust areas are easy to determine since they can be gotten rid of with a cloth.

Check to see if the color transfers to the material…

… to see if you have a rust issue.

Rusted plants need to be quarantined and treated with a sulfur-based fungicide.

First, eliminate the rusted leaves, position them in a plastic bag, and discard them.


Bacterial Leaf Spots

Brown spots 5
Credit: domyown.com

If the leaves have sunken, wet-looking brown areas, you might have bacterial leaf areas.

The existence of bacterial leaf spots on your plants can be a major problem.

Infections that impact the leaves and stems might be treated with elimination …

… however more prevalent diseases can be fatal for your plants.

If your plant is contaminated, isolate it to prevent spreading to your other houseplants.

Have you been aware of this before?


Anthracnose

Brown spots 6
Credit: arborjet.com

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes …

… dark sores on the leaves and stems of plants.

The leaves are covered in various, irregular areas that grow gradually over time.

The irregular look of the areas on the leaves makes it simple to recognize.

Although they are normally not hazardous to houseplants …

… they can easily impair the appearance of your plants.

Plants that are impacted should be quarantined, their affected foliage got rid of …

… and they should be treated with a copper-based fungicide.


Root Rot

Brown spots 7
Credit: manitobapulse.ca

Root rot and stem rot are generally caused by excess and inconsistent watering, added with poorly draining pipes soil.

You may have a problem if you discover brown and black areas on the roots and stems of your plants.

… in fresh soil with their roots gotten rid of.

The affected plants should be replanted …

Make sure your pot has drainage holes and clear the catch tray after you’ve watered it.


Fungal Leaf Spots

Brown spots 8
Credit: nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu

You can treat a plant with neem oil according to the guide…

… the next time you see a little brown spot on one of the leaves.

Eliminate the afflicted leaves and damage them …

… then use neem oil as directed on the bottle.

Neem oil might not be able to prevent additional infection, which may necessitate the plant’s destruction.


Watering

Brown spots 9
Credit: binleyflorist.comBrown spots 10

Sometimes when your leaves are browning or dying … it might indicate that the soil is saturated and you are experiencing underwatering.

Examine to see if the soil is arid; if it is, this might show a waterlogging problem.

Give your plant an excellent taking in water.

Do not just leave it in wet soil; drain the drip tray once the soil has actually completely drained pipes.

After a few hours, your plant needs to start to perk up.

If you want to avoid this issue in the future,

… make sure you understand your plants’ watering requirements.

The winter months signal the start of the inactive period …

… in your indoor houseplants, when they are much less water-dependent.

However, when the spring arrives and the daylight hours increase your plants’ need for water increases.

In some case, watering concerns can be caused by the modification …

… in the season because of the change in water needs.

Simply solve the problem by having a self-watering planter. You can utilize a self-aerating planter if you think that the self-watering planter could harm the roots.


Fertilizer

Brown spots 11
Credit: jainsusa.com

In case you can see brown leaf tips on your plants …

… a build-up of excessive fertilizer salt might be tripping your plants up.

Initially, you ought to remove any crusty accumulation from the top of the soil.

It is required to completely clean the soil to get rid of any excess salts …

… which is something that you should do at your sink so as not to cause water to spill all over.

Enable the excess water to drain out of the soil …

… and don’t water until it has dried.

Wash the soil thoroughly with water.

After the soil has been completely rinsed, allow it to dry.

It might be needed to completely repot your plant in fresh soil if there is a substantial salt build-up.

Your soil may also need a month-to-month watering if a large salt deposit has actually built up …

Fertilize your houseplants meticulously to prevent issues.

You might have ignored just how much fertilizer your houseplants need.

Know your plants’ fertilizer requirements and utilize them thoroughly.


How To Cure Browns Spots on Houseplants?

You might have trouble determining exactly why your plant is malfunctioning.

Once you have followed all of the steps and still can’t find out,

I suggest doing the following to learn the issue:

Brown spots 12
Credit: wikihow.com
  • Use a pruner scissor to cut out leaves or foliage that is damaged.
  • Between utilizing plant tools, make certain they are completely tidy and sterilized to prevent spreading infection.
  • To prevent insects attack on your plants, use neem oil on the leaves.
  • Make certain to water the plant just when the soil is dry, but don’t let the leaves damp.
  • You should closely observe your plants to identify any problems,

For houseplants with brown spots, prevention is the best key to treatment.

It is crucial to understand and supply what your plant requires in order to avoid brown spots on its leaves.

Preserve the health of your plant by supplying it …

… with the appropriate sunshine, water, humidity, and fertilizer.

Conclusion

You may be worried about brown leaves on houseplants.

So keep this short article as your guide …

Or comment down listed below for further inquiries …

Have an amazing gardening journey with gardening tips!


Frequently Asked Questions

Should I cut off leaves with brown spots?

Yes. Remove brown and passing away leaves from your home plants as soon as possible, but only if they’re more than 50 percent harmed.

Cutting off these leaves enables the staying healthy foliage to get more nutrients and improves the plant’s appearance.

Can brown leaves turn green once again?

Can the brown leaves turning into green? No, it can’t reverse to green but you can trim the brown edges to get the plant back to looking healthy.

Related Articles!

What Causes My Snake Plant To Turn Brown? Uncovering The Ultimate Causes And Solutions To Brown Spots And Brown Tips On Snake Plant Leaves [2021]
Is Your Snake Plant Dying? Here’s 7 Signs And What To Do #1
Variegated Jade Plant With Brown Leaves, What Are The Causes Of This? 5 Possible Reasons For This Problem
The Absolute Common Snake Plant Problems To Look Out For: Water, Cold, Pests, And Fungus [2021]!
3 Superb Tips And Guide Saving Dying Snake Plant 2021

Filed Under: Trending Plants, Snake Plant Tagged With: brown leaves, brown spots, care guide, causes of brown leaves, causes of brown spots, Houseplant, houseplant care, houseplant leaves, houseplant problems, indoor plant, indoor plant tips, spots, trending 2022

Primary Sidebar

Most Searched Topic

The Best Neem Oil For Plants You Should Have Now! (2022)

Best Self-Watering Planters on Amazon (2022)

3 Best Wood Chipper For Small Farm on Amazon You Need To Know!

Watch The Community
Does this post violate any norms, rules, or others that you are aware of?

Please anonymously report it.

Before Footer

Recent Posts

  • How To Reset Husqvarna Automower? 6 Superb Facts That You Should Know About This Garden Tool January 5, 2023
  • Why Did My Pressure Washer Hose Burst? 5 Superb Reasons Behind It January 5, 2023
  • Unbelievably Easy Rhino Grass Care Guide – Rhino Lawn Care or Snake Plant Care! (2021) January 5, 2023

AllThingsGardener.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

We may earn a small commission from purchases made through product links in this article at no extra cost to you. But no, we won’t let that sway our opinions. We only recommend products we personally use now, have used in the past, or would use if there was a need.

Most Searched Topic

The Best Plant Stand Rack on Amazon (2022)

3 Best Hydroponic Towers Worth To Buy on Amazon

3 Best Storage Sheds on Amazon For Your Back Yard

Footer

Company

About Us
Contact Us
Advertise With Us

Legal

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Editorial Policy
Cookies Settings

Features

Gardening News
Gardening Tools
Trending Plants
Shop

Part of

protiga group
protiga group

All Things Gardener © 2023
8575 Sheffield Rd. San Gabriel, CA 91775