Calathea plants are known for their beautifully patterned, colorful leaves. However, the appearance of ugly brown spots on those leaves can quickly ruin their ornamental appeal.
If you’ve noticed brown spots on your calathea don’t panic. With some detective work and proper care you can get your calathea looking lush and healthy again.
In this article, we’ll explore the various causes of brown spots on calathea leaves and provide solutions to treat and prevent this issue.
What Causes Brown Spots on Calathea Leaves?
There are several potential causes of brown spots on calathea leaves:
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Overwatering – Excess moisture around the roots leads to root rot, which causes the leaves to develop brown spots This is one of the most common reasons for brown spots
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Underwatering – If the soil dries out too much between waterings, the leaves can dry out and brown spots form. Calathea need consistently moist soil.
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Low humidity – Calathea prefer 40-60% humidity. In dry air, the leaf edges and tips turn brown.
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Sunburn – Direct sun scorches the delicate leaves. Move the plant to bright, indirect light.
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Cold drafts – Low temps below 60°F (15°C) can damage the leaves. Avoid drafty areas.
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Mineral buildup – Tap water and overfertilizing causes salt and mineral buildup. Use distilled or rainwater.
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Diseases – Fungal or bacterial diseases like leaf spot cause spots with yellow halos.
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Pests – Insects that pierce and feed on the leaves can cause brown blemishes. Check for webbing, eggs, or bugs.
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Old leaves – Lower leaves naturally yellow and drop as the plant grows. This is normal. Just remove them.
The exact cause determines the solution, so inspect the plant and growing conditions closely to diagnose the issue. Multiple causes can also be at play.
How to Treat Brown Spots on Calathea
Once you’ve determined the likely cause, take these steps to treat and resolve brown spots on calathea:
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If caused by overwatering, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Remove damaged leaves.
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For underwatering, water more frequently to keep the soil consistently moist. Mist leaves daily.
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Increase humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray. Mist leaves daily.
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Move the plant away from direct sun to a spot with bright, indirect light.
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Keep the plant above 60°F/15°C and avoid cold drafts. Move away from drafty windows or vents.
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Flush the soil every few months to prevent mineral buildup. Use distilled or rainwater.
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Apply a fungicide for disease. Remove badly infected leaves. Improve air circulation.
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Treat pests with insecticidal soap. Isolate plant and prune damaged leaves.
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Simply prune old or damaged leaves at the base of the stem. It’s natural for some old leaves to yellow.
With the correct treatment and improved care, your calathea should start producing new leaves without spots. But be patient, as it can take weeks or months to rejuvenate the plant and replace damaged leaves.
How to Prevent Brown Spots on Calathea
Prevention is always better than treating brown spots after they occur. Follow these care tips to keep your calathea healthy and spot-free:
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Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Don’t let the soil get bone dry or stay soggy.
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Use filtered or distilled water, not tap water, which contains minerals.
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Maintain 40-60% humidity. Set the pot on a pebble tray or use a humidifier.
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Grow in a spot with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which scorches leaves.
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Keep room temps consistently between 65-80°F / 18-27°C year round.
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Ensure the pot has drainage holes and well-draining soil to prevent moisture buildup.
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Wipe dust and dirt off leaves to maximize light absorption.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at 1/2 strength during growing season.
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Check frequently for pests like spider mites. Quarantine new plants.
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Remove old leaves promptly as they naturally yellow and die.
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Avoid drafts from vents, doors, and windows which can shock the plant.
With the proper care, your calathea will thrive and delight you with its gorgeous, spot-free leaves for years to come. Consistency is key when it comes to caring for calathea plants. Follow these tips diligently and you can avoid the headaches of brown spots.
The leaves on your Calathea could be turning brown for a number of reasons, but don’t fret! We’ll get to the bottom of this.
First, let’s clean up your plant. This allows the plant to direct its energy to new healthy growth.
- Remove entire brown leaves (they will not turn green again) or the effected portion with a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears.
- Wipe the blades of your scissors with rubbing alcohol between each snip.
- You may need to trim your plant in stages because you never want to remove more than 20% of the affected leaves at one time–this could shock your plant.Now, let’s get your Calathea on the road to recovery.
Water quality
The most common reason your Calathea’s leaves are turning brown on the edges could be due to your tap water. Tap water contains salts, chlorine, minerals and fluoride – all of which can build up in the soil of your plant causing the tips of the leaves to burn, turn brown, and curl up. One way you can remedy this is to use a water filtration system. If you do not have a filtration system available, leaving your water in an open container or sink overnight before using can help relieve some of the chlorine.
Increase the humidity
Your Calathea is a tropical plant, so it will thrive in more humid environments. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves on a regular basis, using a pebble tray, or moving a humidifier nearby.
Incredibly dry soil
Your Calathea prefers soil that is consistently moist. Be sure you’re not over or underwatering your plant. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 1”-2” of the soil is dry.
If you accidentally let your Calathea’s soil dry out completely, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly start to brown and curl. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a thorough soak is in order.
Here’s how to soak-water your Calathea:
- Place your plant in your sink or tub without the saucer. Fill your basin up with about 3-4″ of water. Make sure the water isn’t hot!
- Allow your plant to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 45 min.
- Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil?
- If not all the soil feels saturated, water your Calathea slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation.
- When your plant’s soil is evenly damp, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly. Place the plant back on its saucer and back in its proper spot.
Temperature
Make sure your plant is not in a drafty area or in the path of heating and cooling vents. Leaves will curl is the plant is cold, or excessively dry from constant airflow.
Why Your Calathea’s Leaves Keep Getting Brown Edges | Full Care Guide
FAQ
Should I cut off brown Calathea leaves?
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Plantifyhttps://plantify.co.zaCalathea Plants Care Instructions – Keep them Looking Great! – Plantify – Urban Plantery
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The Sprucehttps://www.thespruce.com6 Reasons Your Calathea Has Brown Edges and How to Fix It FastFeb 4, 2025 — Can you fix the brown edges on a calathea? Although brown calathea leaves won’t turn green again, you can improve the look of your plant by cutting b…
What does an overwatered Calathea look like?
What does an overwatered calathea look like? Yellow or wilting leaves are the main symptom of overwatering. If this is the problem, stop watering for a while, and stand the pot on a tray of gravel or pebbles to allow excess moisture to drain away.
How do you treat 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.