Why Are My Anthurium Leaves Turning Brown? 10 Causes & Solutions
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Anthurium brown leaves are caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, temperature stress, improper feeding, being pot-bound, pests, rot-root, poor quality soil, aging among others.
Anthuriums are popular plants on account of their ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions. Most Anthurium varieties are grown for their spectacular foliage but a few are grown for their beautiful and striking flowers.
Brown leaves on your Anthurium Plant are an indication that the growing conditions are wrong. Below we have discussed 10 causes of brown leaves in Anthuriums and how to fix them.
10 Common Causes of Anthurium Brown Leaves
1. Too Little Light
Sufficient light is needed for making food that is needed for energy and growth. If the light is too low, the plant cannot make enough food. In an attempt to save energy, the plant begins to die from the leaves which turn yellow, brown and eventually die.
How to fix it
Position your Anthurium Plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if natural light in your home is not enough.
2. Inconsistent Watering
Overwatering results in too much water in the soil which reduces the oxygen concentration in the rootzone. This causes the roots to die, meaning they cannot take up water to the leaves, which then wilt due to dehydration, brown and begin to die.
Underwatering means there is too little moisture in the soil for the plant to take up to the leaves. As such, the plant cannot take up nutrients and water to growing parts. Therefore, they wilt, brown and begin to die.
How to fix it
Do not water on a schedule; water your Anthurium when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out and do not let the soil dry out completely for a prolonged period.
3. Root-rot Disease
Root rot disease is characterized by wilting and yellowing leaves, and is rapidly followed by browning of leaves and plant collapse. The disease is a fungal decay which is enhanced by soggy soil due poor drainage.
How to fix it
Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh free-draining soil.
Do not water the plant and keep it dry for about 10-14 days before resuming watering, to allow the plant time to recover.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging.
4. Pest Infestations
Pests like spider mites, aphids and scale insects attack the new growth from where they suck the plant sap. This causes the plant to become dehydrated, resulting in wilting and browning of the leaves.
How to fix it
Regularly inspect your Anthurium Plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
Isolate the infested plants to minimize spread to the rest of the plants.
Treat the infested plants with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers recommendations.
5. Poor Quality Soil
Poor quality soil does not drain easily and therefore it easily becomes compacted or soggy. Such soils hold excessive amounts of water and will lead to yellowing, browning and dropping leaves.
How to fix it
Pot and repot your Anthurium Plant in good, quality soil that is loose, well-drained and rich in organic matter. An Aroids potting mix is ideal for Anthuriums.
6. Being Pot-bound
If the plant is extremely pot-bound, the roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water. Therefore, there is less water for the plant to take up to the leaves, they loss their stiffness, wilt, brown and begin to drop.
How to fix it
Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole and repot the Anthurium into a pot one size larger than the current one.
Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining to prevent waterlogging.
Thereafter, repot the plant every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season. Check out these self watering planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
7. Repotting Shock
Repotting will cause your plant some shock which will result in some leaves wilting, drooping, browning and dropping before it can adjust to the new growing conditions.
How to fix it
To minimize repotting shock, water your Anthurium Plant thoroughly one day before repotting. A well hydrated plant experiences less repotting shock.
Do not make too many changes at once. For instance, after repotting, maintain the plant in the same spot until it is well established before moving it to a new location.
8. Improper Feeding
Overfeeding will cause the roots to die due to fertilizer burn, meaning they cannot take up water to the leaves. Without adequate water, the leaves get dehydrated, wilt, turn brown and die.
Underfeeding implies that the plant is not getting enough nutrients need for growth and energy. Nutrients deficiency in the actively growing tips causes nutrients to be withdrawn from the older lower leaves which turn yellow, brown and drop.
How to fix it
Take care not to overfeed the plant. Feed your Anthurium Plant during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and follow the instructions on the label.
Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Flush out excess salts regularly by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Repeat the process several times to leach out most of these salts.
9. Temperature Stress
Extreme temperatures either too high or too cold negatively affect plant growth resulting in stunted growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning leaves.
How to fix it
Keep your Anthurium away from sources of drafts like hot surfaces, hot air vents, AC units, open doors, drafty windows and others to maintain a warmth of 18-270C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.
10. Aging
As the Anthurium Plant matures, it loses the lower leaves which turn yellow, then brown and eventually die.
How to fix it
Remove yellow, brown and dead leaves to maintain your Anthurium neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.
Cut the leaves at the base of the stem with a sharp sterilized knife or with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to avoid unnecessary injury which can result in disease infestation.
Summary: Preventing Brown Leaves on Anthurium
To keep your Anthurium healthy, follow these preventive measures:
- Use well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes.
- Water when the top few inches of soil but avoid either overwatering or underwatering.
- Place your plant in bright indirect light to prevent sun damage.
- Keep humidity above 50% to mimic its natural environment.
- Maintain an average warmth and keep your plant away from drafts.
- Feed with a balanced, liquid fertilizer as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Repot once you see roots growing through the drainage holes.
- Regularly inspect your plant for pests and diseases and carry out timely control measures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are my Anthurium leaves turning brown and yellow at the same time?
Usually, this is a sign of overwatering or a nutrient deficiency. Check the soil and adjust watering habits.
2. Can I cut off the brown leaves from my Anthurium?
Yes, trimming Anthrium brown leaves helps redirect energy to healthier growth. Use clean scissors to remove damaged leaves.
3. How often should I water my Anthurium?
Do not water on a schedule. Always feel the soil before watering. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
4. What kind of soil is best for Anthuriums?
The best soil for Anthuriums is a well-draining mix with peat, perlite, and orchid bark is ideal to prevent root rot.
5. Does misting help with brown leaves?
No. Misting does not help with brown leaves and it should not be done as it increases occurence of fungal diseases. You may group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity.
6. Can fertilizer cause brown tips on Anthurium leaves?
Yes, excessive fertilizer can result in salt buildup which causese brown leaf tips. Flush the soil regularly with clean water to remove excess salts.
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