Philodendrons are an incredibly popular houseplant, known for their hearty and easy-care nature.
Unfortunately, sometimes things can go wrong, and your beloved philodendron can start to turn brown.
If you’ve noticed browning leaves on your philodendron, don’t despair! In this article, we’ll go over the potential causes of browning leaves and how you can remedy them.
You’ll learn about the effects of too much or too little sunlight, underwatering, overwatering, excessive heat, fertilizer burn, and insect infestations.
Armed with this knowledge, you can get your philodendron back to looking its best in no time.
Short Answer
Philodendrons are sensitive to changes in their environment, and browning can be a sign that something is off.
Browning can be caused by too much direct sunlight, not enough water, or incorrect temperature/humidity levels.
Check the environment around the plant and make sure it is getting adequate light, water, and humidity.
If the plant is still browning, you may want to consider re-potting it in new soil.
Causes of Browning Leaves on Philodendrons
When you notice that the leaves of your philodendron are turning brown, it can be frustrating.
Browning leaves can be caused by a variety of issues, but understanding the causes and how to address them can help you keep your philodendron healthy and looking its best.
The most common causes of browning leaves on philodendrons are too much direct sunlight, underwatering, or overwatering.
If your philodendron is receiving too much direct sunlight, the leaves may begin to brown and become crispy.
To help prevent this, make sure to provide your philodendron with indirect sunlight and keep it away from any sources of direct light.
Underwatering is also a common cause of browning leaves on philodendrons.
If your philodendron does not receive enough water, its leaves will start to dry out, become brittle, and eventually turn brown.
To help prevent this, make sure to water your philodendron regularly, but not too often.
Overwatering can also cause browning leaves on philodendrons.
If the soil is constantly wet, the roots of the plant will not be able to take in enough oxygen and the leaves will start to brown and eventually rot.
To help prevent this, make sure to water your philodendron only when the soil is dry to the touch.
In addition to too much sunlight, underwatering, and overwatering, excessive heat can also cause browning leaves on philodendrons.
If the temperature is too high, the leaves may dry out and turn brown.
To help prevent this, make sure to keep your philodendron in a space that is well-ventilated and out of direct sunlight.
Fertilizer burn can also cause browning leaves on philodendrons.
If you are fertilizing your philodendron too often, the leaves may start to brown and eventually rot.
To help prevent this, make sure to fertilize your philodendron only when the soil is dry to the touch and use a fertilizer specifically designed for philodendrons.
Finally, insect infestations can also cause browning leaves on philodendrons.
If your philodendron has been infested with pests, the leaves may start to dry out and eventually turn brown.
To help prevent this, make sure to keep your philodendron away from any sources of infestation and take steps to keep pests away.
By understanding the causes of browning leaves on philodendrons, you can take the necessary steps to keep your philodendron healthy and looking its best.
Make sure to provide your philodendron with adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients, and take steps to keep pests away.
With the right care, your philodendron will remain healthy and vibrant for many years.
Too Much Direct Sunlight
When it comes to philodendrons, too much direct sunlight can be a major problem.
The leaves of these plants are particularly sensitive to the intense rays of the sun.
When exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves will become sunburned, resulting in patches of brown or yellow discoloration and sometimes can even cause the leaves to drop off.
To avoid this, keep your philodendron out of the direct path of the sun, and if you must put them in a sunny location, be sure to provide some shade or use a sheer curtain to protect them.
Additionally, you should rotate the plant occasionally so that all sides are exposed to the light, rather than just one side getting too much sun.
Underwatering
Underwatering is one of the most common reasons why a philodendron’s leaves may start to turn brown.
If a philodendron is not receiving enough water, its leaves will start to dry out and appear withered, and eventually turn a shade of brown.
To prevent this, make sure to water your philodendron regularly.
How often you need to water your philodendron depends on the size of the pot, the size of the plant, and the climate in which you live.
In general, philodendrons should be watered when the top two inches of soil are dry.
If you stick your finger into the soil, it should feel dry to the touch.
When it does, it’s time to water your philodendron.
Make sure to water thoroughly, until you see water draining from the pot’s bottom.
Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most common causes of philodendrons turning brown.
When a philodendron is overwatered, its roots are deprived of oxygen, which can cause the leaves to turn brown and die.
It is important to be careful not to overwater your philodendron, as the roots need air just as much as they need water.
To avoid overwatering your philodendron, make sure you let the soil dry out between waterings.
If you feel the soil and it is still damp, wait a few days before watering again.
In addition, make sure the soil you use is well-draining and has plenty of air pockets.
It is also important to choose a pot with ample drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
If you suspect your philodendron is being overwatered, the best thing to do is to reduce the amount of water and let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
If the problem persists, it may be necessary to repot the plant in fresh, dry soil.
Excessive Heat
Excessive heat can be a major cause of browning leaves on a philodendron.
Philodendrons require temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive, and temperatures that exceed this range can cause the leaves to turn brown.
If you live in an area with hot summers, make sure to position your philodendron away from direct sunlight and provide it with adequate shade.
You can also use a fan to help circulate air around the plant and keep it cool.
Additionally, make sure to keep your home’s air conditioning running during the hottest days of the year.
By providing your philodendron with a comfortable environment, you can help prevent its leaves from turning brown due to excessive heat.
Fertilizer Burn
Fertilizer burn can be a common cause of browning leaves on a philodendron.
Too much fertilizer can cause the leaves to become scorched and discolored, leading to the browning of the leaves.
To avoid this, it’s important to follow the recommended fertilizer schedule for your philodendron and not to apply too much.
When fertilizing, always dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength and make sure to water the plant thoroughly afterwards to help prevent the fertilizer from burning the roots.
It’s also important to ensure that the soil is moist before applying fertilizer as this will help to prevent the fertilizer from concentrating in one area and burning the plant.
Insect Infestations
When it comes to why your philodendron is turning brown, insect infestations are one of the most common causes.
Insects such as mites, mealybugs, and aphids can all cause damage to the plant, leading to browning leaves.
In some cases, you may even be able to see the pests on the plant itself, or you may notice a sticky substance on the leaves.
If this is the case, you will need to take action to get rid of the pests.
The best way to do this is by using a safe and effective insecticide, such as neem oil or pyrethrin.
These products are designed to kill the pests without harming the plant, and they can be found at most garden centers.
Its also important to make sure to follow the instructions on the label, as using too much product can be just as harmful to the plant as the pests themselves.
Additionally, you may want to consider introducing beneficial insects, such as ladybugs or lacewings, to help keep the pest population under control.
Once the pests have been eliminated, you should start to see the browning leaves on your philodendron start to clear up.
To help prevent future infestations, its important to inspect the plant regularly and take steps to keep pests away.
This can include cleaning up fallen leaves, using insecticidal soaps or neem oil, or using sticky traps to catch any pests before they can reach the plant.
Final Thoughts
By understanding the causes of philodendron browning, you can take the necessary steps to prevent it from happening.
Make sure to provide adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients, and use pest control methods to keep insects away.
With this knowledge in hand, you can keep your philodendron healthy and green for years to come!.