Brown leaves

Overview

Brown on leaves signals hydric or environmental stress. Pin down exactly where it appears: tips, edges, center or whole leaf — it changes everything.

Brown tips = low humidity or salt build-up. Crispy edges = under-watering or hard water. Soft patches = fungal pathogens. Whole leaf = sunburn or frost.

Differential diagnosis

Dry brown tips → humidity <40%.

Burnt edges with a yellow halo → harsh direct sun.

Wet brown spots with yellow halo → fungi (anthracnose, cercospora).

Entire leaf browning suddenly → thermal shock or frost.

Natural remedies

Raise humidity by grouping plants, use rain or demineralized water, move away from radiators.

Treatments

For fungal patches: remove affected leaves and treat with copper- or sulfur-based fungicide.

Repot in fresh substrate if the old one has accumulated salts.

Prevention

Stable humidity of 50–60% with a humidifier. Ventilate often, avoid cold drafts.