What’s prettier than a dazzling “Flamingo Flower”? White, pink, red, purple… the hues of these beautiful flowers are almost endless! However, these loveable houseplants battle a common ‘buzz killer’: brown spots! How can you fix the brown spots on your Anthurium?
Anthuriums, also known as flamingo flowers, are popular tropical houseplants prized for their lush, heart-shaped foliage and colorful blooms. However, anthurium owners may sometimes notice unsightly brown spots developing on the leaves.
As an anthurium grower myself, I have dealt with this issue multiple times. Through research and trial-and-error, I’ve learned what causes brown spots on anthuriums and how to treat them. In this article, I’ll share everything I know to help you diagnose and fix brown spots on your anthurium’s leaves.
What Causes Brown Spots on Anthurium Leaves?
There are several potential causes of brown spots on anthuriums. Here are the most common ones:
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Bacterial Leaf Blight The main culprit is a bacterial disease called leaf blight or leaf spot It causes yellow lesions on the leaves that rapidly darken into brown, necrotic spots surrounded by a yellow halo Guttation droplets along the leaf margins are another symptom. High humidity and wet foliage foster spread of the bacteria.
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Sunburn Too much direct sun can burn anthurium leaves creating brown spots often with yellow edges. Anthuriums prefer bright, indirect light.
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Nutrient Deficiency Lack of key nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus leads to marginal leaf yellowing and eventual browning, This causes stunted growth and poor flowering as well
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Overwatering: Excess moisture suffocates roots, inhibiting their ability to supply water and nutrients to leaves. This manifests as brown leaf tips and margins.
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Underwatering: Too little water also stresses plants. It desiccates leaf tissues, causing dry, crispy brown spots.
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Low Humidity: Insufficient ambient moisture dries out leaf surfaces faster than roots can supply water. Brown leaf tips and margins occur.
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Pests: Sap-sucking insects like aphids, mealybugs, and mites damage leaf tissues while feeding. This can cause small brown necrotic spots.
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Age: Older leaves naturally senesce, turning yellow then brown. This is normal. Remove aging leaves promptly to maintain vigor.
How to Treat Brown Spots on Anthurium
Once you’ve diagnosed the cause, take appropriate measures to treat and prevent further brown spots:
For Bacterial Blight: Prune away infected leaves, sterilizing tools between cuts. Improve air circulation. Water at soil level to keep leaves dry. Disinfect plants and tools with dilute bleach solution.
For Sunburn: Move anthurium to a spot with bright, indirect light. Rotate occasionally for even exposure. Filter harsh sunlight with curtains.
For Nutrient Deficiency: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer biweekly according to label directions. Or top-dress soil with slow-release pellets.
For Overwatering: Allow soil to partially dry out between waterings. Use pot with drainage holes and well-draining soil. Reduce watering frequency.
For Underwatering: Water when top inch of soil is dry. Increase watering frequency. Use pebble tray to increase humidity.
For Low Humidity: Mist leaves daily or use pebble tray. Run humidifier nearby. Grow in greenhouse or terrarium.
For Pests: Wipe off insects with cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays.
For Age: Remove older leaves at base of petiole as they yellow. This encourages new growth.
With prompt troubleshooting and care adjustments tailored to the specific cause, your anthurium’s brown spots should clear up, restoring the foliage to its full lush green beauty. Be vigilant about monitoring cultural conditions and catching issues early before extensive damage occurs. With a little diligent care and TLC, your anthurium will thrive for years to come!
Tips to Prevent Brown Spots on Anthuriums
Here are some key tips to keep your anthurium leaves healthy and prevent future brown spots:
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Water thoroughly when top inch of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering or underwatering.
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Fertilize regularly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
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Place in bright, indirect light. Rotate to distribute light evenly. Filter harsh direct sun.
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Prune older leaves at base as they age. Sterilize pruners between each cut.
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Provide consistent warm temperatures around 70-80°F. Avoid cold drafts.
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Maintain high humidity around 60-80% with misting, pebble trays, or humidifiers.
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Inspect frequently for pests like aphids and mites. Take action immediately if found.
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Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot diseases.
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Ensure pot has drainage holes and use well-draining potting mix, not soil.
By optimizing care and cultural conditions for your anthurium, you can have a healthy plant with lush, spot-free foliage that will enhance your indoor space with tropical flair. With the right troubleshooting and preventative care, brown spots don’t stand a chance!
Getting Hungry Over Here!
A nutrient deficiency will also result in your Anthurium developing brown spots. If you fertilize your plant regularly, this is not your problem. What does a “healthy” fertilizer regimen look like?
You should fertilize your Anthurium with quarter strength fertilizer every 3-4 months. Some Anthurium parents opt for a slow-release formula. But (chances are) if you’re trying to fix your plant’s brown leaves, you should fast-track fertilization with a liquid soluble formula.
Just remember: Even if you suspect your plant is undernourished, don’t overdo it. Establish a routine and stick to it! Overfertilizing your Anthurium is dangerous to its health.
R.P. Old Leaf
Sadly, leaves don’t last forever. The occasional browning, dropping leaf could just mean that it reached the end of its life expectancy. As long as your Anthurium continues to produce healthy growth, continue caring for it as usual!
Anthurium leaves getting brown spots
FAQ
How do you treat brown spots on Anthurium leaves?
In a nutshell: Anthuriums shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight. Their leaves easily burn, leaving you with unsightly, dry, brown patches. The fix? Relocate your plant to an area that receives filtered light, with no direct sun.
Should I cut off brown Anthurium leaves?
Yes, it’s generally a good idea to cut off brown anthurium leaves, especially if they are mostly brown or significantly damaged. Removing them improves the plant’s appearance and allows it to focus energy on new growth.
How do you fix brown spots on leaves?
If you see brown or yellow spots that are sunken and growing in size over time, this could be something called anthracnose, a type of fungus. It’s not usually harmful, just unsightly. Solution: Isolate your plant and cut off affected leaves. You’ll probably need to use a fungicide to eliminate the problem.
What are the signs of overwatering an Anthurium?
Signs that you have overwatered your Anthurium include waterlogged soil, limp and soggy foliage, browning tips, and signs of fungus gnats or fungal issues such as blackened and mushy roots.