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Some of the most fascinating indoor plants are tropical plants. Among them, pothos deserves special mention because it comes in a wide range of varieties to suit all tastes.
However, when this plant is grown outside of its natural environment, it causes a lot of issues. One of them will be discussed today.
Pothos thrives in bright indirect sunlight, making it an excellent indoor plant. However, the plant may begin to exhibit unhealthy symptoms such as browning and crispy leaves, wilting, and general discolouration. But why do pothos leaves turn brown?
Why Are Pothos Leaves, Turning Brown?
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a favourite houseplant among homeowners due to its ease of care. It does not need to be watered frequently when grown indoors to grow and stay healthy. A variety of factors can cause your pothos leaves to discolour, the most common of which are overwatering and extreme bright sun.
1. Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most common causes of brown pothos leaves. Root rot will occur if the plant is kept in a wet environment for an extended period. As a result, large brown spots on the leaves begin to appear. The tips of the leaves can also turn brown.
When there is more water in the soil beneath the potted plant than the plant requires, the excess water shuts off the oxygen supply to the roots, causing root rot. With the roots gradually withering away, the flow of vital nutrients from the soil to the leaves and stems via the roots is impeded, causing the pothos leaves to turn brown.
2. Direct Sunlight
Leaves can also turn brown when exposed to direct sunlight. This is referred to as sunburn. The leaf will usually develop large light brown spots in the centre or on one of the halves. Excessive light can also cause browning of the leaf’s tips or edges. If the leaf is exposed to a lot of sunlight, it may die completely.
3. Excess Fertilizer
Fertilizing your pothos houseplants too frequently or in excess can cause leaf browning due to an excess of nutrient salts in the soil.
The leaf margins and tips turn brown first, followed by the leaf parts. Other symptoms include yellowing of the lower leaves and overall plant weakness.
Browning caused by excessive fertilizer use is typically characterized by browning on the leaf tips, edges, and blades.
4. Diseases
For most plants, fungi constitute the most serious threat. In most cases, the fungus spores will settle on the pothos leaves and begin to grow.
They are not visible at first, but after a while, the leaf becomes covered in brown patches and turns partially or yellow. To combat this, a fungicide should be sprayed on pothos.
Southern Blight is another disease. It has an impact on the plant’s root system. As a result, the leaves and stems turn a deep brown colour.
Finally, root rot produces pothos leaf browning. This illness is caused by overwatering and dense soil.
5. Pests
The last cause of browning pothos leaves is pests. You won’t notice any differences if there are only a few of them, but if they spread far and wide, the plant may damage.
Aphids and mealybugs are the most common insects. They are absorbed by the plant and feed on its sap.
As a result, the plant’s cells do not receive nutrients and die. This manifests itself as brown leaves. To get rid of these pests, sprinkle the pothos with a liquid solution of horticultural oil.
6 Ways To Stop Browning Of Pothos
- Change Your Watering Routine
Overwatering causes leaf browning, which is a common issue for Pothos growers who have recently moved their plants indoors from an outdoor location.
When a plant is brought indoors, its water requirements change because it no longer requires as much water to grow as it would outside.
Allow the dirt in the planter to dry before watering again. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out so that the roots remain moist.
When the leaves begin to wilt and droop, water the plant.
- Get Rid Of Pests
These pests suck on pothos leaves and stems, weakening the tissues and making the leaves weak and deformed.
However, when pests invade, they must be treated as soon as possible. You must suspect your pothos to determine if they are pest-infested. That could be the cause of your baby pothos’ stunted growth.
Wipe pothos with rubbing alcohol to treat them. Insecticides can be used to kill these bugs.
Make your insecticides by combining one spoon of liquid soap with one litre of water and spraying it all over.
- Meet Sunlight Requirements
Pothos’s light requirements are met by dappled sunlight for 6-8 hours. Bright, filtered light is essential for drying out wet soil, carrying out photosynthesis, making stems and leaves strong and thick, and preserving the variegation of their foliage.
- Fertilizer Appropriately
Only use organic fertilizer every 2-3 months during the spring and summer. Make certain that the soil mix has a high nutritional value and is well-drained. This combination of soil and fertilizer primarily aids in the rapid growth of your pothos.
If you suspect that a buildup of nutrient salts in the soil is causing brown leaf spots on your Pothos, try flushing the excess salts out with water.
- Maintain A Comfortable Room Temperature
Pothos houseplants should be grown in a temperature-controlled environment, ideally between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even though the plant can tolerate a variety of growing conditions, this is the ideal temperature.
- Treat Diseases
Plant the plant in fresh soil. Fungicides should be used for treatment. Water in moderation.
It must be treated regularly with fungicides containing copper hydroxide and requires good air circulation and moderate humidity.
To cure pothos, remove all diseased tissue and wash all wounds with fungicide. The plant should then be planted in clean, loose potting soil.
Why Are My Pothos Leaves Curling And Turning Brown?
The tips and leaves of pothos plants curling is another sign that they are under-watered. Pothos plants typically have broad leaves, so when the pothos leaves begin to curl at the tip, it indicates that the pothos plant is experiencing water stress.
Pothos plant leaves curl as a means of reducing excessive water loss from the plant; when this occurs, plant health may suffer as a result.
What Does An Overwatered Pothos Look Like?
Underwater Pothos plants typically have sickly-looking leaves and pale colour, depending on the species. Colours on healthy pothos plants should be vibrant and intense. We will now look at the indicators of under-watered pothos and how we might salvage these plants.
What Do You Do With Burnt Pothos Leaves?
Begin by looking for damaged, discoloured, dead, or dying leaves. Cut them off the stem just below a healthy leaf node with sterile pruners. Then, shape the plant to your liking by removing any overgrown sections.
Pothos plants have a lot to offer and can stay with you for a long time if you learn how to care for them properly. Pruning a Pothos houseplant is necessary not only for the plant’s appearance but also to keep it healthy and thriving.
