Yellow or brown leaves do not always mean your plant is dying. Discover the most common causes and what you can do about them.
Finding a yellow or brown leaf on your favourite plant can be worrying, but leaf discolouration is one of the most common houseplant problems.
The first step is understanding what your plant is trying to tell you.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves are often associated with overwatering.
If the soil remains wet for long periods, the roots receive less oxygen and may eventually begin to rot.
Allow the soil to dry appropriately before watering again.
Yellowing can also occur naturally when older leaves reach the end of their life cycle.
Brown leaf tips
Brown tips can indicate:
- Dry air
- Underwatering
- Mineral-heavy water
- Too much fertiliser
Plants such as Calathea and Areca Palm can be particularly sensitive to dry indoor air.
Brown patches
Large dry brown patches may be caused by direct sunlight.
Many tropical plants prefer bright but indirect light. Moving the plant slightly further away from a sunny window may help.
Look at the whole plant
One damaged leaf is not necessarily a problem.
If several leaves suddenly change colour, check the soil, light conditions and watering habits before making major changes.