What Causes Brown Spots On Plant Leaves

Last Updated on February 21, 2022 by Griselda M.

What causes brown spots on plant leaves? Is your succulent suffering from brown leaves lately? When you see brown spots on the leaves of your plant, it means something is up and it may not be good. 

Whatever is the cause, your leaves may not turn back to green. The brown spots on your plant could be brought about by overwatering or over-exposure to the sunlight. Oftentimes, it also indicates fungal or bacterial disease. When this happens, you may need to act quickly to salvage the rest of your plants. 

What Deficiency Causes Brown Spots On Leaves?  

The following are the well-known problems that can cause brown spots on your houseplant leaves.

• Excess light – Plants only need at least 4-6 hours of sunlight to be healthy. Moreover, some plants are sensitive to sunlight exposure such as aglaonemas, fortune plants, peace lilies, and many more. If you expose night plants to sunlight, their leaves will start turning brown.
• Low humidity – When the humidity level in the room is low, it makes the air super dry. Calatheas, for instance, can quickly develop brown spots if the humidity level is too low. This is common among homes during the colder winter months. The cooler the air, the lower the humidity level becomes.
• Pests – Unfortunately, plants that are grown indoors are prone to pests. Mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids can suck out the nutrients from plants, which causes them to slowly die.

Leaf spot disease – Browning of the leaves is sometimes a sign that your plan is suffering from a disease. You may have overwatered your plant causing the roots to rot. When the leaves start turning brown, it means that the condition is severe. 

• You must check your plant right away.
• Watering problem – Overwatering or under-watering can cause root rot that leads to leaves turning brown. If this is the case, quit watering your plants for a while and allow the soil to dry.
• Fertilizer problem – If you see brown spots on the tip of your plants, it could be a build-up of too much fertilizer. You will have to flush the soil thoroughly to wash out the excess salts. In this case, you can prevent water from running all over the place.

Learn more about How Often Should You Water A Snake Plant?

What Can I Use For Brown Spots On Plants?

Now you know what causes brown spots on plant leaves, it’s time to resolve it. First, you need to determine why the leaves of your plant are turning brown by following the steps above. In any case, the following are some simple steps you can follow to salvage your plant.

• Remove the damaged leaves. If you have a leafy plant and only a few are affected, removing the damaged leaves can prevent the issue from spreading all over your plant. 
• Clean and sanitize all plant tools before using them in your plant. Yes, it’s like operating a real person because dirty utensils can transmit plant-killing bacteria to your plant.
• Water the plant when the soil becomes dry. Don’t pour water on the foliage.
• Observe your plant for a few days. If the problem persists, the root of your plant may be rotting. If this is the case, your best choice is to check on the roots of your plant and repot it.

How Do You Get Rid Of Leaf Spot Disease?

The best remedy for a plant with a leaf spot disease is to cut its leaves. If you notice that one of your plants is developing brown leaves, you need to act upon it immediately. Leaf spot disease is contagious. In the worst-case scenario, it can transfer to the other plants.

Make sure your plants get a lot of sun. Supply it with the right amount of water and humidity level.

Can You Cut Off Brown Spots On Leaves?

Before cutting off brown spots on leaves, first, identify what causes brown spots on plant leaves. If only a few leaves are affected, you can cut them off. But if all the leaves of your plants have become brown then the chance of reviving it is slim. 

There are a few easy steps you can take to prevent this problem in your garden. Causal fungus or spotted leaves only need two fungi to flourish – moisture and air circulation. If you are planting indoors, the first that you should do is to implement the proper watering technique. 

Can I Still Treat Fungus On The Leaves?

The answer is yes. However, since the fungus is a fast-developing element, you need to act quickly. When it sticks to one of your plants, it can easily infect other plants in your home without you noticing it. 

No matter how deficient you are, time will come when those tiny, brown circles suddenly appear on your plant’s leaves. Before it begins, you have to be prepared at all times. Remove any leaf that has been affected. Stop misting for a while and use natural ways to remove the fungus.

Just mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda into one gallon of water and wipe it on the affected leave. For those who have no objections, there are many all-purpose fungicides available in the market. 

Can I Still Save My Plant With Browning Leaves?

It depends. If your plant is not severely affected, you may still save it. However, if all the leaves and stems of your plants have become completely brown then they must have withered. In this case, you no longer save your plant. To prevent your plant from turning brown, follow the steps below.

Step 1

Implement proper watering frequency.

Step 2

Give it sun exposure for about 4-6 hours. However, night plants should not be exposed to the direct heat of the sun other it could be fatal for them. 

Step 3

Give them the right fertilizer. Mulch the soil if the plant loves it.

Step 4

Spray neem oil or use a natural solution (soap and water) and clean the leaves. 

Step 5

Use the right potting soil and container for your plant. A drainage hole is important in allowing excess water to pass through.    

Now that you know what causes brown spots on plant leaves, you can always keep this article in handy. Make sure you check your plants for the earliest sign of disease before anything happens.

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