If you’re noticing brown tips on your Calathea leaves, you’re not alone. Here are 7 possible causes, plus solutions to help your plant recover.
What is Causing My Calathea to Brown at the Leaf Tips?
Most commonly, brown tips on Calathea leaves are caused by too much direct sunlight, underwatering, or fluoride in the water. If your Calathea’s leaves are browning at the tips, it is likely due to one of several causes.
Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves of your Calathea to turn brown and crispy. If you notice that the tips of your Calathea’s leaves are browning, try moving it to a spot that gets less direct sunlight.
If the soil around your Calathea is dry to the touch, it is likely that your plant is not getting enough water. Underwatering is another common cause of brown tips on Calathea leaves. Try watering your Calathea more frequently, and be sure to check the soil before watering to make sure it is actually dry.
Fluoride in the water can also cause brown tips on Calathea leaves. If you notice that the tips of your Calathea’s leaves are browning, try using filtered or distilled water to water your plant.
[1] Watering Stress
If you notice your Calathea’s leaves beginning to brown and curl, it’s likely a case of watering stress. This can be caused by a number of factors, including too much or too little water, water that’s too hot or cold, or a lack of humidity.
Make sure you’re not over- or under-watering your plant. To solve the problem, start by checking your watering schedule. Also, be sure to use lukewarm water instead of hot or cold water, which can shock the plant.
If you live in a dry climate, you may also need to increase the humidity around your Calathea. This can be done by placing the plant on a pebble tray or using a humidifier.
If the problem persists, however, it’s best to consult a professional. With a little trial and error, you should be able to find the perfect watering schedule and level of humidity for your Calathea.
How to Save a Water-Stressed Calathea
But don’t worry, there are solutions for each issue! If your Calathea has brown tips, it’s likely due to one of these 7 causes.
To increase the humidity around your Calathea, try placing it on a pebble tray or grouping it with other plants. If the air in your home is too dry, the tips of your plant’s leaves will start to turn brown. Not enough humidity: Calatheas need high humidity to thrive. 1.
Inconsistent watering: Calatheas are sensitive to both too much and too little water. Water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry, and be sure to empty any water that collects in the saucer beneath the pot. 2.
If you notice the tips of your plant’s leaves turning brown, move it to a spot that gets indirect light. 3. Direct sunlight: While Calatheas appreciate bright light, direct sunlight will scorch their leaves.
If the temperature in your home dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or rises above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, your plant will start to experience stress. 4. Temperature stress: Calatheas prefer warm, humid conditions.
To fix this, repot your plant in a potting mix that’s designed for African violets. Soil that’s too rich: Calatheas don’t need rich soil to thrive. In fact, soil that’s too high in nutrients will cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown. 5.
To get rid of them, treat your plant with an insecticidal soap or neem oil. 6. Pest infestation: Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites are all common pests that can infest Calatheas. If you see brown spots on the leaves, it’s likely due to one of these pests.
If you see brown spots on the leaves, along with yellowing and wilting, it’s likely due to this disease. Disease: Brown spot disease is a common fungal disease that affects Calatheas. 7. To treat it, remove any affected leaves and treat the plant with a fungicide.
[2] You Have Overfertilized Your Calathea
If you notice brown tips on your Calathea leaves, it is likely that you have overfertilized the plant. Overfertilization can cause a number of problems for plants, including leaf browning.
If the brown tips do not improve after a few weeks, you may need to trim off the affected leaves. If you think you have overfertilized your Calathea, the first thing you should do is stop fertilizing the plant. Once you have stopped fertilizing, you can try flushing the soil with water to remove any excess fertilizer.
Overfertilization is a common problem with Calathea plants, so it is important to be careful when fertilizing. If you are unsure about how much fertilizer to use, it is best to err on the side of using less rather than more.
How to Fix an Overfertilized Calathea
If your Calathea has brown tips, it is likely that it is being overfed. To fix an overfertilized Calathea, you will need to flush the soil with water to remove the excess fertilizer. This can happen if you fertilize too often, or if you use a fertilizer with a high concentration of nitrogen. You can also reduce the frequency of fertilization, or switch to a fertilizer with a lower concentration of nitrogen.
[3] Poor Water Quality (Chlorine and Fluoride in City Water)
Water quality is an important factor to consider when growing houseplants. Poor water quality can lead to a number of problems, including chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) and tip burn (browning of leaves).
One common problem with city water is that it contains high levels of chlorine and fluoride. If your tap water is high in chlorine or fluoride, it’s best to use filtered or distilled water for your plants. These chemicals can be harmful to plants, causing leaf damage and stunted growth.
Hard water contains high levels of minerals, which can build up on plant leaves and cause them to turn brown. Another water quality issue to be aware of is hard water. If you live in an area with hard water, you may need to use a water softener or reverse osmosis filter to remove the minerals from your water.
Solution
If you’re noticing brown tips on your Calathea leaves, don’t worry – there are a few possible causes, and even more solutions.
One common cause of brown tips is simply too much direct sunlight. If your plant is getting too much sun, try moving it to a shadier spot.
If you’re noticing brown tips along with wilting leaves, your plant is probably thirsty. Another possible cause is too much or too little water. On the other hand, if the brown tips are accompanied by yellow leaves, your plant may be getting too much water. Try adjusting your watering schedule accordingly.
If you think this might be the case, flush your plant’s pot with water to remove any excess fertilizer. Finally, brown tips can also be caused by fertilizer burn.
With a little trial and error, you should be able to figure out what’s causing the brown tips on your Calathea. And once you do, it’ll be easy to keep your plant healthy and happy.
[4] Lack of Humidity
There are a few things you can do to increase the humidity around your Calathea. If you notice your Calathea’s leaves beginning to brown and curl, it’s likely a lack of humidity. These plants are native to the tropical forests of South America, so they prefer a humid environment.
You can also try setting your plant on a pebble tray. Just be sure to not mist the leaves too much, as this can cause brown spots. Fill a tray with pebbles and water, and set your Calathea on top of the pebbles. This will create a microclimate around your Calathea that will be more humid than the rest of the room. Finally, you can mist your Calathea regularly with a spray bottle. First, try grouping your plant with other plants. The water will evaporate and increase the humidity around your plant.
Solution
But don’t worry, there are solutions for each problem! If your Calathea has brown tips, it’s likely due to one of these 7 causes.
Too much direct sunlight. 1.
Move it to a spot that gets less light and you should see a difference. Calathea like bright, indirect light. If your plant is getting too much sun, the leaves will start to turn brown.
Not enough humidity. 2.
If the air in your home is too dry, the leaves will start to turn brown and curl. Try misting your plant regularly or setting it on a pebble tray. Calathea are native to tropical rainforests, so they like humid conditions.
Incorrect watering. 3.
If you’re unsure, it’s better to underwater than to overwater. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Calathea like to be kept moist, but not soggy.
4. Poor drainage.
If the roots of your Calathea are sitting in water, they will start to rot. This will cause the leaves to turn brown and eventually die. Make sure you’re using a well-draining potting mix and that the pot has drainage holes.
Pests. 5.
Treat the plant with an insecticide and quarantine it from your other plants. If you see brown spots on the leaves, it’s likely due to an infestation. Calathea are susceptible to pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and scale.
6. Disease.
Calathea can be susceptible to diseases like leaf spot and root rot. Treat the plant with a fungicide and improve the growing conditions. If you see brown spots or leaves falling off, it’s important to act quickly.
Temperature stress. 7.
Calathea prefer warm, humid conditions. If the temperature drops too low or the air is too dry, the leaves will start to turn brown. Make sure your plant is in a spot that stays above 60 degrees Fahrenheit and try to increase the humidity.
If you’re having trouble with your Calathea, don’t give up! With a little troubleshooting, you should be able to figure out the problem and get your plant back to health.
[5] Calathea Burnt Leaves Due to Excess Sun Exposure
If your plant is getting too much sun, you’ll need to move it to a shadier spot. If your Calathea has brown tips or leaves that are turning brown, it’s likely due to too much sun exposure. Calathea are native to the tropical regions of South America and prefer shady, humid conditions.
You can also try increasing the humidity around your Calathea by grouping it with other plants, using a pebble tray, or misting it regularly. If the brown tips are due to dry air, you might also see the leaves curling.
If you see brown spots on the leaves, it’s probably due to a chemical reaction between the leaves and the sun. This can happen if you use a chemical fertilizer or if the water you’re using is high in minerals. You can also try filtered or distilled water. If you think this is the problem, stop using chemicals and switch to a more natural fertilizer.
Solution
If you’re noticing brown tips on your Calathea leaves, don’t worry – there are a few possible causes, and even more possible solutions.
One common cause of brown tips is simply too much sun. If you think this might be the problem, try moving your plant to a shadier spot. Calathea leaves are very sensitive to light, and too much direct sunlight can scorch them.
Another possible cause is underwatering. To fix this, just water your plant more frequently. Calathea plants like to be kept moist, but not soggy. If the soil is too dry, the leaves will start to turn brown.
Finally, brown tips can also be caused by fertilizer burn. To fix this, flush the soil with water to remove any excess fertilizer. If you’ve recently fertilized your plant, it’s possible that the fertilizer was too strong and burned the tips of the leaves.
[6] Cold Injury (Drop in Temperature)
But sometimes, despite our best efforts, we can still end up with cold injuries. When the temperature outside drops, our bodies work to keep us warm.
Cold injuries can happen when the body is exposed to cold temperatures, either suddenly or over time. They can range from mild to severe, and can even be life-threatening.
The most common cold injuries are frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite happens when the skin and tissues freeze. Hypothermia happens when the body’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are several ways to prevent cold injuries, including dressing warmly, avoiding alcohol, and staying hydrated. If you do find yourself with a cold injury, it’s important to seek medical help right away.
Cold injuries are no joke! So, next time the temperature outside takes a dip, make sure you take care of yourself.
Solution
There are a few possible causes, and even more solutions. If you’re noticing brown tips on your Calathea leaves, don’t panic!
One common cause of brown tips is simply too much sun. Calathea leaves are very sensitive to sunlight and will scorch easily. If you think this might be the problem, move your plant to a shadier spot.
If the leaves are brown and mushy, it’s likely that they’re getting too much water. Another possible cause is too much water. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and be sure to empty any water that collects in the saucer beneath the pot.
Calathea leaves love humidity, so try misting them regularly or setting the pot on a tray of pebbles and water. If the brown tips are dry and crispy, it’s possible that the air is too dry.
Check the leaves carefully for any signs of insects or egg sacs. Finally, if the brown tips seem to be spreading, it could be a sign of a pest problem. If you find any, treat the plant with an appropriate insecticide.
And with our helpful solutions, you can get them looking green and healthy in no time! With a little trial and error, you should be able to figure out what’s causing the brown tips on your Calathea leaves.
[7] Pest Infestation
If you’re noticing brown tips on your Calathea leaves, it’s likely due to one of these 7 common causes.
Calatheas prefer indirect sunlight, so if yours is getting too much sun, the leaves will start to brown. Too much direct sunlight. 1.
Not enough humidity. These plants like humid conditions, so if the air is too dry, the leaves will start to brown and curl. 2.
Calatheas are sensitive to too much water, so if you’re watering yours too often, the leaves will start to brown and drop off. 3. Over-watering.
4. These plants also don’t like to be too dry, so if you’re not watering yours enough, the leaves will start to brown and drop off. Under-watering.
If the soil doesn’t drain well, the roots can start to rot, which will cause the leaves to brown. Poor drainage. 5.
6. Pests. Aphids, mealybugs, and other pests can cause the leaves to brown and drop off.
If the plant is infected with a disease, the leaves will start to brown and drop off. 7. Disease.
If you’re noticing brown tips on your Calathea leaves, it’s likely due to one of these 7 common causes.
Calatheas prefer indirect sunlight, so if yours is getting too much sun, the leaves will start to brown. Too much direct sunlight. 1.
Not enough humidity. These plants like humid conditions, so if the air is too dry, the leaves will start to brown and curl. 2.
Calatheas are sensitive to too much water, so if you’re watering yours too often, the leaves will start to brown and drop off. 3. Over-watering.
4. These plants also don’t like to be too dry, so if you’re not watering yours enough, the leaves will start to brown and drop off. Under-watering.
If the soil doesn’t drain well, the roots can start to rot, which will cause the leaves to brown. Poor drainage. 5.
6. Pests. Aphids, mealybugs, and other pests can cause the leaves to brown and drop off.
If the plant is infected with a disease, the leaves will start to brown and drop off. 7. Disease.
How to Get Rid of Calathea Bugs
If your Calathea has brown tips, it could be due to a number of reasons. But don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to save your plant!
Calathea prefer indirect light, so if you think this might be the problem, try moving your plant to a shadier spot. One common reason for brown tips is too much direct sunlight.
Another possible cause is underwatering. If the soil is dry to the touch, it’s time to water. Calathea like to stay moist, so be sure to water them regularly.
To get rid of them, you can try spraying the plant with a mixture of water and dish soap. If you see small bugs crawling on your plant, they may be to blame. Finally, brown tips can also be caused by pests.
Once you’ve corrected the problem, your plant will be back to its beautiful self in no time! With a little troubleshooting, you should be able to figure out what’s causing the brown tips on your Calathea.
Should I Cut the Brown Tips Off My Calathea?
If you notice brown tips on your Calathea leaves, don’t panic! There are a few possible reasons why this is happening, and most of them are easily fixed.
One reason for brown tips could be that the plant is not getting enough humidity. Calatheas prefer humid environments, so if your home is on the dry side, try misting the leaves regularly or setting the plant on a pebble tray.
Another possibility is that the plant is getting too much direct sunlight. Brown tips can be a sign of sunburn, so if your Calathea is in a sunny spot, try moving it to a more shady location.
If you’ve recently fertilized your Calathea, flush the soil with water to remove any excess fertilizer. Finally, brown tips can also be caused by fertilizer burn.
If you’ve tried all of these solutions and the brown tips are still present, you can trim them off with a sharp pair of scissors. Just be sure to avoid cutting into the green part of the leaf, as this could damage the plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some common causes of brown tips on Calathea plants?
There are a few common causes of brown tips on Calathea plants, including too much direct sunlight, too much water, not enough humidity, and fertilizer burn.
2. How can I tell if my plant is getting too much direct sunlight?
If the leaves of your Calathea plant are starting to turn brown at the tips, it may be getting too much direct sunlight. Try moving it to a spot that gets indirect or filtered light.
3. How can I tell if my plant is getting too much water?
If the leaves of your Calathea plant are wilting or turning yellow, it may be getting too much water. Check the soil to see if it is moist before watering again.
4. How can I tell if my plant is not getting enough humidity?
If the leaves of your Calathea plant are dry or browning, it may not be getting enough humidity. Try misting the leaves or placing the plant on a pebble tray.
5. What is fertilizer burn and how can I prevent it?
Fertilizer burn is when the leaves of a plant are damaged from too much fertilizer. To prevent this, only fertilize your Calathea plant every few months and dilute the fertilizer according to the package instructions.
Final thoughts
If you have a Calathea that’s experiencing brown tips, there are a few things you can do to help. First, check to see if the plant is getting too much sun or too little water. If it’s getting too much sun, move it to a shadier spot. If it’s not getting enough water, water it more frequently. You can also try misting the plant with water to increase humidity. If the brown tips are caused by pests, you can treat the plant with an insecticide. Finally, make sure you’re not using too much fertilizer, as this can also cause brown tips. With a little care, your Calathea will be healthy and green in no time.