Why Are My Philodendron’s Leaves Turning Brown?

So, you have a philodendron with brown leaves. It turns out you’re not alone. Although these houseplants are known for their easygoing nature, that doesn’t mean they’re worry-free.

The wrong temperature, dry soil, and too bright of light can all cause the leaves to transform from lush green to crispy brown. After you recognize the cause of the discoloration, you can start correcting the problem. Keep reading to learn a few reasons why your philodendron may be turning brown.

When we talk about philodendrons, we’re talking about a vast array of plants. This genus consists of more than 600 species of various heights, shapes, and preferred habitats. Although many philodendrons have similar requirements, the preferred habitat and care varies between species. Therefore, it’s important to know which variety you’re growing and how it likes to be treated.

Whether you’re growing a sprawling specimen with heart-shaped foliage or an upright houseplant with deep green foliage complete with fine white lines, take a moment to look up its care requirements. If you know how to care for your specific variety, you’re less likely to make it unhappy.

With all that said, there are a few circumstances that lead to brown leaves. So, if you notice crispy brown leaf tips or entire leaves that have faded to tan, look out for these issues.

If your philodendrons don’t get enough water, their leaves may turn dry and brown. This discoloration usually starts at the leaf tips and makes its way up the rest of the foliage. However, if you continue to leave it in dry soil, the leaves are likely to die before they turn completely brown.

Underwatering can cause several symptoms besides brown leaves. The leaves typically wilt, and they may also curl inward to preserve moisture. You’ll also notice dry soil that appears crumbly or cracked.

Most philodendrons prefer their soil to remain slightly moist. That means you should water when the top one to two inches of the potting mix is dry. You can easily check the soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil near the center of the pot. If the top two inches are dry, go ahead and water.

How you water is as important as when you water. Make sure to pour water slowly until all of the soil is moist—the water should run out of the container’s drainage holes when all of the soil is moist.

Remember that the frequency at which you should water can vary throughout the year. Dry air, high temperatures, and long daylight can all require you to water more frequently. 

Philodendrons don’t require extremely humid air like prayer plants, but they will become unhappy if you leave them in a room with bone-dry air. Heaters often lead to desert-like air, so low humidity often becomes a problem in the winter.

If the air has caused chapped lips and cracked hands, it’s likely too dry. This lack of moisture can cause dry leaf margins in most philodendron species. So, if you notice brown leaf margins, check your humidity.

Make sure to keep them away from drying, drafty areas like spots near fireplaces, furnaces, and heating vents. You should also keep your philodendron away from dehumidifiers.

If you notice the air is too dry, a humidifier is the easiest and most reliable way to increase the air moisture. Set the humidifier so the air moisture is between 50-70%. If you don’t want to purchase a humidifier, you can place it in a humid location like a bathroom or kitchen. Another option is to place your planter on a tray filled with pebbles and water—just note this won’t increase the humidity by much.

Most philodendrons prefer bright yet indirect light. That means they’re happy in well-lit areas but don’t like to be in bright light that causes them to cast shadows.

If you place your philodendron in a spot with bright, direct light, the direct rays may damage the tissues. Plants can become sunburnt and develop white or brown blotches. If you leave the plant in direct sunlight, entire leaves may turn brown.

Fortunately, this issue is easy to solve. Just move your philodendron to an area that’s out of direct light. A spot a few feet away from a west-facing or east-facing window is ideal, but you can also place your philodendron in the middle of a bright room. If you want to place it near a south-facing window, place a sheer curtain over the window to filter the light.

Although most philodendrons are native to tropical regions, it’s possible for the air temperature to be too high. If they experience temperatures above 90°F (32°C), the leaves may turn brown. Therefore, it’s important to keep your philodendron in a warm but not hot area.

Plants that receive lots of light are especially susceptible to damage from high temperatures. Therefore, closely monitor specimens located near bright windows or in sunrooms.

The ideal temperature range for most philodendrons is between 65-85°F (18-29°C). That means normal household temperatures will work just fine! Just pay attention and make sure it’s away from hot drafts coming from heating vents and fireplaces. If you discover your plant was exposed to hot temperatures, move it to a cooler location and let it recover.

Philodendrons, like all living things, go through a natural aging process. As this happens, older leaves turn brown and fall. That means there’s no need to worry if you notice an old leaf or two turning yellow or brown.

If this happens, use a pair of pruning shears to remove the discolored leaf. As long as you continue to provide the proper environment and care, your plant will recover and produce healthy new leaves.

Philodendrons require essential plant nutrients to grow and thrive, but too many nutrients can lead to a buildup of salts. This overfertilization causes plant leaves to become stressed and brown.

In most cases, you only need to fertilize philodendron plants one to three times per year. Choose a balanced, diluted fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 1-1-1. Always follow product instructions and err on the side of applying too little fertilizer.

If you think you applied too many nutrients, slowly water your plant until water runs out of the drainage holes. This practice can help flush excess nutrients from the soil. From this point on, follow an appropriate fertilization schedule.

Numerous diseases can lead to discolored philodendron leaves, but leaf spot is the most common. These spots are caused by bacteria and often start out small with yellow halos. As the disease progresses, the spots become larger and light tan.

If you notice discolored spots on your plant, remove and dispose of the infected leaves. Make sure to provide the right environment and amount of water to help your plant recover.

In the future, aim to keep the leaves dry to help prevent the spread of disease. Water near the base of your plant rather than on top of the leaves. You should also inspect all new plants for signs of disease before bringing them into your home.