If you ever notice brown spots on plant leaves, don’t panic. In most cases, these brown spots on leaf tips won’t kill your houseplants, but they do pose some minor damage to the affected areas and ruin the overall aesthetics. Attention though, these brown leaves are pretty much sentenced to death and will not turn green again. So, the first thing you can do is to remove the brown leaves.
Next, how to get rid of brown spots on plant leaves in the long run? In today’s post, we will uncover the causes behind the scenes, and guide you through the best treatment for brown spots. Let’s dive in!
Brown spots on the stems of houseplants and outdoor plants can be alarming for any plant parent. But there’s no need to panic – these spots usually indicate a minor issue that can be easily treated with some adjustments to your care routine. In this article we’ll dive into the potential causes of brown spots on plant stems and leaves how to accurately identify the culprit, and effective solutions to restore your plants to full health.
What Triggers Brown Spots on Stems?
There are several possible triggers that can cause brown spots to form on plant stems
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Overwatering – Excess moisture around the stem leads to root rot which travels up the stem causing the tissue to die in spots. Overwatered plants often show drooping leaves too.
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Underwatering – Without adequate water, the stems and leaves dry out and perish in patches. Underwatered plants may droop or wilt between waterings.
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Sunburn – Too much direct sun can scorch tender stems and leaves, especially in hot weather. You’ll notice dry brown spots, frequently along the edges or tips.
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Pests – Sap-sucking insects like spider mites and scale can elicit spots on stems and leaves. Check for small bumps clustered on the stems.
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Diseases – Several common fungal and bacterial diseases cause brown spots on stems. These spots may be paired with yellowing leaves or dark crusty patches.
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Cold damage – Exposure to cold drafts from windows and doors can harm tender new growth, manifesting as dry brown spots on stems and leaves.
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Chemical damage – Chemicals in hard tap water or accidental contact with cleaning solutions can burn spots into plant tissue.
How to Accurately Diagnose the Cause
To pinpoint exactly why your plant has brown spots on its stems, inspect the spots as well as the entire plant and its care regimen.
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Overwatering – Stems and roots are mushy, leaves may yellow and drop. Soil stays wet for a long time after watering.
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Underwatering – Stems and leaves are dry and brittle. Soil dries out rapidly between waterings.
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Sunburn – Dry brown edges and tips of leaves, sometimes with yellow halos. Occurs in summer or bright window.
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Pests – Visible insects on stems and undersides of leaves. Sticky residue or tiny webs may be present.
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Diseases – Spots have fuzzy or crusty texture. Circular patterns. Leaves may also be impacted.
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Cold damage – Happens in winter near drafty windows. Leaves may also exhibit spotting.
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Chemicals – Browning patterns match up with watering or cleaning. May see leaf spotting too.
Examining other plant parts like leaves and roots will provide more clues to accurately diagnose the issue.
Effective Solutions for Brown Spots
Once you’ve identified the cause of the brown spots, you can take the appropriate treatment steps:
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Overwatering – Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Water less frequently. Ensure the pot has drainage holes. Repot in fresh, well-draining soil if roots are rotted – cut off any dead roots.
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Underwatering – Water more frequently so soil stays lightly moist. Improve light conditions. Use terra cotta pots to slowly release moisture. Increase humidity with pebble trays or a humidifier.
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Sunburn – Move plant to a shadier spot with bright indirect light. Slowly re-acclimate to stronger light over weeks. Add sheers to soften direct sun through windows.
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Pests – Wipe stems with alcohol to kill small insects. Apply horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps. Remove badly infested parts. Place sticky traps nearby to monitor.
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Diseases – Improve air circulation. Remove and destroy infected plant parts. Treat with fungicidal sprays. Ensure proper watering and avoid overhead watering.
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Cold Damage – Move plant away from drafty windows/doors. Place in a warmer room in winter. Provide extra humidity.
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Chemical Damage – Flush soil to remove any lingering chemicals. Switch to distilled or filtered water. Keep cleaning products away from plants.
How to Prevent Brown Spots
Regular monitoring and a few simple practices can prevent brown spots from forming again:
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Stick to a consistent watering schedule based on your plant’s needs. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Give your plants the appropriate amount of sun for their variety. Watch for leaf scorching.
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Check frequently for pests and treat early before they multiply.
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Prune off old winter growth in spring to encourage healthy new growth.
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Keep pruning shears clean between plants to avoid spreading disease.
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Allow good airflow around plants so leaves dry quickly after watering.
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Avoid temperature extremes near heating/AC vents and cold windows.
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Flush mineral deposits from leaves with soft water every few months.
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Fertilize monthly during the growing season to nurture plant health.
With attentive care, your plants will thrive and grow vigorously. But at the first sign of brown spots, address the issue promptly – catching problems early and adjusting care prevents minor issues from escalating into major plant damage. Pay close attention to your green friends, and they’ll reward you with vigorous, spot-free growth all season long!
Hard Tap Water
We understand many of you use tap water from the kitchen or the yard to feed your plants. The thing is tap water, or hard water, often contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals can build up in the soil and affect the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients, which can further cause leaf browning.
This may never occur to you, but fungal spores can survive on dead plant matter left over the winter and re-emerge in the spring. When garden debris is not properly cleared, these fungi can continue to infect new plants, leading to brown spots on leaves as the infection spreads. So, dispose of your garden rubbish as soon as possible!
Keeping Optimal Temp & Humidity
Different houseplants have their preference for the optimal temperature and humidity in the grow tent. As a general rule of thumb, here’s a chart for the suggested grow room temp and humidity levels based on plant growth stages.
How to regulate the temperature and humidity in grow tents? At Mars Hydro, we have a set of ventilation gear to help you out!
Inline Fan: Mars Hydro offers 3 series of inline fans for controlling airflow in your grow tent, catering to both beginners and experienced growers. By actively exchanging the air inside the tent with fresh air from outside, the inline fan reduces moisture on plant surfaces, discouraging fungal growth.
*Important Note: To enable App control features, the additional purchase of the 2025 iFresh MarsPro Add-On Pack (sold separately) is required. Click here to purchase>> The 2025 Mars Hydro 4″ iFresh Inline Duct Fan delivers 205CFM airflow capacity, featuring an expansion port that enables app-based climate control when paired with the iFresh MarsPro Add-On Pack. This integration creates a fully automated ventilation system that intelligently monitors and optimizes your grow space environmental data.
*Important Note: To enable App control features, the additional purchase of the 2025 iFresh MarsPro Add-On Pack (sold separately) is required. Click here to purchase>> The 2025 Mars Hydro 6″ iFresh Inline Duct Fan delivers 402CFM airflow capacity, featuring an expansion port that enables app-based climate control when paired with the iFresh MarsPro Add-On Pack. This integration creates a fully automated ventilation system that intelligently monitors and optimizes your grow space environmental data.
- Fan/Duct/Filter Size: 4 Inch
- Airflow: 205CFM
- Noise: 26.8dB-A
- Controller Type: Speed Controller
- Filter: Refillable carbon filter
With a 4 inline fan rated for 205CFM, an activated carbon filter with Australian charcoal, and a knob controller applied to allow easy switching and adjustment of the fan speed, the Mars Hydro 4 inch inline duct fan and carbon filter combo offers you everything you need to set up the ventilation in a grow tent. A good ventilation setup for grow tents measuring up to 3×3 feet.
- Fan/Duct/Filter Size: 6 Inch
- Airflow: 402CFM
- Noise: 32dB-A
- Controller Type: Speed Controller
- Filter: Refillable carbon filter
With a 6 inline fan rated for 402CFM, an refillable activated carbon filter with Australian charcoal, and a knob controller applied to allow easy switching and adjustment of the fan speed, the Mars Hydro 6 inch inline duct fan and carbon filter combo provides everything you need to set up the ventilation in a grow tent. A good ventilation setup for grow tents measuring up to 5×5 feet.
Clip-on Fan: If you prefer compact ventilation tools, a clip-on fan easily clips onto frames within your grow tent, providing targeted airflow to your plants. Plus, its adjustable head and multiple speed settings allow you to customize airflow according to your plant’s needs.
What’s more, the Mars Hydro 5L plant humidifier allows you to add moisture to the air when needed, especially during dry seasons or when running heat-generating equipment like grow lights.
Space plants appropriately to allow for sufficient airflow between them. If you’re growing multiple plants in one container, repot them into separate pots. Prune overcrowded plants to improve airflow and reduce the chances of fungal spores spreading between leaves.
Basil Stem Turning Brown | Brown Spots On The Basil Plant Stems | Causes & Solutions | 2022
FAQ
How to treat brown stems on plants?
If the problem is minor, you can simply leave the soil to dry out and change your watering routine. However, brown stems typically indicate a severe root rot issue. Remove the plant from its pot and wash off all the remaining soil. Trim off any rotten roots back to the healthy growth and repot into brand new soil.
Can overwatering cause brown spots?
If your are noticing brown patches all over the leaves, this could also be a sign of overwatering. Typically when the plant is overwatered you’ll also see some yellowing on the leaves.
How do you treat brown spots on houseplants?
- Prune and remove heavily affected leaves. …
- Provide frequent treatment of neem oil or another fungicide to the foliage. …
- Avoid getting water onto the leaves as it recovers.
- Keep the plant away from other plants temporarily. …
- Monitor daily to ensure the infection has stopped spreading.
How to get rid of fungus on plant stems?
One of the best ways to stave off mold is to prevent its growth in the first place. Use an organic fungicide to treat your plant leaves and stems, or create a mixture using a tablespoon of baking soda and a half-tablespoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Mix in a spray bottle and coat the plant thoroughly.
How do you know if a plant has a brown spot?
As the disease progresses, the spots turn from brownish to white as spores develop and a fungal conidia forms. On other plants, the first symptoms of septoria brown spot are blotchy dark reddish-brown spots on leaves that tend to be focused at the midvein. To treat the disease, remove any damaged leaves and fallen leaves below the plant.
What causes brown spots on the face?
Brown spots are caused by the overproduction of melanin in your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes their color. Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin.
How do you get brown spots on plants?
Place your plants in a well-ventilated area. Good air circulation will help prevent brown spots on leaves by allowing the plant to dry out quickly after watering. Keep your plants clean. Dust and dirt can build up on leaves and cause brown spots. Regularly wipe your plants down with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt. Provide adequate humidity.
What causes brown patches on plants?
The source of brown patches is a lack of phosphorous. Phosphorus deficit in some plants can be caused by temperatures too cold for this mineral to absorb. Potassium causes the yellowing of older leaves with scattered dark brown or black patches. A severe deficiency can stunt the plant and cause all foliage to turn yellow and curl.
Why is my plant stem turning brown?
The plant stem is turning brown mainly because it has the brown stem rot disease. Phialophora gregata is the fungus that causes this disease. One thing about the fungus is that it can stay on plant residue for a long time. On the residue, they spread their spores on the stem tissues of your plant. This is the primary way the fungus spreads.
What causes brown spots on leaves?
Dust and dirt can build up on leaves and cause brown spots. Regularly wipe your plants down with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt. Provide adequate humidity. Dry air can cause brown spots on leaves, so provide good humidity for your plants. This can be done by regularly placing a humidifier in the room or misting the plants.