There are a number of reasons why your indoor plant may have brown leaves including issues with humidity or lighting – so don’t go straight for the watering can
A gardening expert has revealed how to manage your foliage if your indoor plants get brown leaves – and the first thing is not to panic about them not having enough water.
The explanation of why you have brown leaves on your plant is not as simple as them needing more liquid. Instead, air conditions and lighting can play a big role in the problem and identifying the real issue is essential to coming up with the correct solution. A major factor in the appearance of brown leaves is dry air which is especially prevalent in winter when the heating is used – it affects the leaf surface and causes dryness at the edges.
Gardening expert Álvaro Pedrera explained that a lack of ambient humidity causes plant tissue to deteriorate even if the plant receives the necessary water at the roots. He said: “If your plants have brown leaves, it’s not because they’re not being watered.”
When a plant’s environment doesn’t have the proper humidity it can cause dry tips, leaves to curl and slower growth.
Posting to his TikTok account, @ypikue, Pedrera said the key was to increase the humidity in the plant’s environment.
How to increase indoor humidity
Grouping plants – placing them close together creates a microclimate that better retains moisture
Electric humidifiers – these are useful in homes with constant heating or in dry climates
Saucers of water and pebbles – the pot should not touch the water directly; evaporation improves the environment
Occasional misting – recommended only for species that tolerate leaf wetness, avoiding fungus.
These actions prevent leaf deterioration and maintain a more balanced environment for plant development.
While humidity is sometimes the problem, inadequate watering also plays a role and too much water can cause leaves to fall off while a lack of water will cause dryness.
Getting the right balance of water to your plant is key. As well as this, ensuring your plant gets the right amount of light is important.
While too much direct sunlight may cause brown spots, too little light will create yellowish leaves.
When faced with brown leaves on your plant, the best thing to do is to carefully observe it.
Green-fingered Brits are advised to:
- Check the substrate and drainage: it should be kept fresh, not compacted or waterlogged.
- Check light exposure: find the most suitable location for the species.
- Assess temperature and ventilation: drafts or excessive heat upset the balance.
In mild cases, pruning the damaged leaves is enough to allow the plant to focus its energy on new structures. However, if the damage is widespread, it is advisable to adjust the watering, light, and humidity conditions.
However, it’s also crucial to note that some brown leaves are part of a plant’s normal cycle. Lower leaves can often dry up and fall off as a result of aging and is simply a sign of the natural process.
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