Have you noticed your pothos leaves turning brown? If so, you’re not alone many pothos owners find themselves asking “why is my pothos turning brown?”.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes and signs of browning in pothos plants, look at the amount of water and sunlight needed, and address nutrient deficiencies and proper care.
We’ll also discuss what you should do if your pothos is already brown.
Read on to find out more about why your pothos may be turning brown and what you can do about it.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Pothos plants are vulnerable to too much or too little water, and if the soil is too dry or too wet, the leaves can turn brown.
Other causes for browning include too much direct sunlight, inadequate drainage, or nutrient deficiencies.
If your pothos is turning brown, check the soil moisture, light levels, drainage, and nutrients to identify the cause and make changes to improve the conditions.
Causes of Browning in Pothos Plants
Browning of a pothos plant is an all-too-common occurrence, and can be caused by a variety of factors.
Improper watering is one of the most common causes, as too much or too little water can both cause the leaves to turn brown.
Additionally, too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn brown, as pothos plants prefer indirect light.
Low humidity and nutrient deficiencies can also cause the leaves to turn brown.
When it comes to water, its important to find the right balance.
The soil should be kept slightly moist, but not soggy.
If the plant is left in water for too long, the leaves will start to turn brown, as the roots are unable to get enough oxygen.
On the other hand, if the plant is not watered enough, the leaves will start to dry out and turn brown.
Its also important to keep the humidity levels in your home high.
Pothos plants prefer a humid environment, and if the humidity levels are too low, the leaves will start to dry out and turn brown.
Finally, pothos plants also need to be given all of the nutrients they need in order to stay healthy.
Nutrient deficiencies, such as low iron or magnesium levels, can cause the leaves to turn brown.
Make sure to use a fertilizer specifically designed for houseplants, and follow the directions for the best results.
With proper care, you can keep your pothos healthy and vibrant.
Make sure that your pothos is getting enough water, but not too much, and is not in direct sunlight.
Additionally, keep the humidity levels high and make sure your pothos is getting all of the nutrients it needs.
With the right care, your pothos should stay green and healthy.
Signs of Browning in Pothos Plants
When it comes to pothos plants, browning is a common problem.
Fortunately, it is usually easy to diagnose and prevent.
Browning of a pothos plant usually appears as crispy, brown leaves on the tips or edges of the plant.
In extreme cases, the entire plant may turn brown.
This can be caused by a variety of factors, including improper watering, too much direct sunlight, low humidity, and nutrient deficiencies.
When it comes to improper watering, too much or too little water can cause the plant to brown.
The soil should be kept slightly damp, but not wet.
If the soil is too wet, the roots of the plant can start to rot, causing the leaves to turn brown.
On the other hand, if the soil is too dry, the leaves of the plant can become dry and brittle, leading to brown tips and edges.
Another common cause of browning in pothos plants is too much direct sunlight.
Pothos plants prefer indirect light, so if it is exposed to too much direct sunlight, the leaves can become sunburned and brown.
Low humidity is also a common cause of browning in pothos plants.
The humidity level should be kept above 50% in order to keep the plant healthy.
If the humidity is too low, the leaves can become dry and brittle, leading to browning.
Finally, nutrient deficiencies can also cause browning in pothos plants.
If the plant is not getting enough nutrients, the leaves can start to turn brown.
The best way to prevent this is to make sure the plant is fertilized on a regular basis with a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
By following these tips, you can keep your pothos plant healthy and vibrant.
With proper care and attention, it should remain green and healthy for many years to come.
How Much Water Does a Pothos Need?
When it comes to watering a pothos plant, it is important to ensure that you are giving it the right amount of water.
If you give the pothos too much water, it can cause the leaves to turn brown, while if you dont give it enough water, the plant will be unable to absorb the nutrients it needs, leading to browning of the leaves.
For pothos, the best way to determine whether or not it needs more water is to stick your finger into the soil.
If the soil is dry to the touch, it is time to water the plant.
However, if the soil is still damp, it is best to wait a few days before watering it again.
It is important to note that pothos prefer to be kept evenly moist, rather than saturated with water.
Too much water can lead to root rot, so it is best to err on the side of caution and water the plant more lightly than too heavily.
Additionally, the plant should be potted in a pot with drainage holes to ensure that the soil does not become waterlogged.
Too Much Sunlight and Low Humidity
One of the most common causes of browning in a pothos plant is too much direct sunlight.
Pothos plants prefer filtered or indirect light as direct sunlight can be too harsh and cause the leaves to turn brown.
Additionally, low humidity levels can also cause browning in pothos plants.
Pothos plants thrive in high humidity levels, so keeping the humidity levels at a constant level is important.
To ensure your pothos is not getting too much direct sunlight and the humidity levels are kept high, you can place your pothos near a window or in an area that is well-ventilated.
Additionally, you can also mist your pothos daily to keep the humidity levels high.
Additionally, you can also purchase a humidifier to increase the humidity levels in your home, which can help to keep your pothos healthy and vibrant.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies are a common cause of pothos turning brown.
Without the proper amount of essential nutrients, the plant cannot maintain its healthy and vibrant appearance.
Pothos needs the essential macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as a number of micronutrients, including iron, manganese, boron, zinc, and copper, to remain healthy.
If any of these nutrients are lacking, the plant will suffer.
If you notice signs of nutrient deficiency in your pothos, such as yellowing of the leaves, small, deformed leaves, or browning of the edges, then you should supplement the pothos with a fertilizer containing the necessary nutrients.
It is important to use a fertilizer specifically formulated for pothos, as general-purpose fertilizers may contain too much of some nutrients and not enough of others.
Additionally, be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer label, as applying too much fertilizer can cause further damage to the plant.
By recognizing the signs of nutrient deficiency and supplementing your pothos with the necessary nutrients, you can keep your plant healthy and vibrant.
Preventing Browning with Proper Care
When it comes to preventing your pothos plant from turning brown, proper care is key.
To keep your pothos healthy and vibrant, make sure to give it plenty of water, but not too much.
Too much water can cause root rot, which will ultimately lead to browning of the foliage.
Aim to water your pothos once every week to ten days and make sure the soil is completely dry before watering again.
In addition to proper watering, make sure to keep your pothos away from direct sunlight.
While pothos plants need some sunlight to thrive, too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn and turn brown.
To prevent this, provide your pothos with filtered sunlight or keep it in a shaded area.
Finally, make sure the humidity levels are kept high.
Pothos plants prefer humid environments, so if the air is too dry, the leaves will start to turn brown.
To increase the humidity levels, mist your pothos with a spray bottle or place a humidifier nearby.
Additionally, make sure your pothos is getting all of the nutrients it needs.
Give it a balanced fertilizer every two weeks to ensure its getting the nutrition it needs to stay healthy.
By following these tips, you can keep your pothos healthy and vibrant.
With proper care, browning of your pothos plant can easily be prevented.
What to Do if Your Pothos is Already Brown
If your pothos is already turning brown, there are several steps you can take to try and bring it back to its lush, green self.
First and foremost, its important to identify the cause of the browning.
Was it due to too much direct sunlight, improper watering, low humidity, or nutrient deficiencies? Once youve identified the cause, you can take the appropriate steps to fix it.
For instance, if your pothos has been exposed to too much direct sunlight, move it to a location that receives indirect light.
If its been overwatered, make sure to reduce the amount of water youre giving it.
If the humidity is too low, try misting the leaves with a spray bottle.
If its nutrient deficient, supplement your pothos soil with the necessary nutrients.
In addition to addressing the cause of the browning, you may also want to prune off any brown or discolored leaves.
This will help prevent the spread of the problem, and will also help promote new, healthy growth.
Finally, be sure to give your pothos the proper care it needs going forward.
Make sure its getting enough water, but not too much, and is not in direct sunlight.
Additionally, make sure that the humidity levels are kept high, and that your pothos is getting all of the nutrients it needs.
With these steps, you can help keep your pothos healthy and vibrant.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of a pothos plant is easy if you know what to look for.
Browning can be caused by too much or too little water, not enough humidity, too much direct sunlight and nutrient deficiencies.
To keep your pothos healthy and vibrant, make sure to provide it with proper amounts of water, humidity, indirect sunlight and the right nutrients.
With the right care, you can make sure that your pothos stays green and healthy.
If you already have a brown pothos, don’t worry – there are still some steps you can take to try to revive it.
So don’t despair – with a little patience and the right care, you can get your pothos plant looking lush and green again.