Brown Spots on Philodendron Leaves – Causes and How to Fix Them

Philodendrons are popular houseplants known for their lush, tropical foliage. But even these easy-going plants can develop issues, like brown spots on the leaves.

These unsightly blemishes are usually a sign of improper care. By understanding the causes you can take steps to fix the problem and restore your philodendron to health.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• The most common reasons philodendron leaves get brown spots
• Pictures to help identify the different causes
• Effective solutions to treat and prevent the spots
• When to cut off affected leaves
• How to stop spread of fungal leaf spot disease
• Will new leaves grow back green and healthy?

What Causes Brown Spots on Philodendron Leaves?

Here are 13 potential reasons your philodendron has developed brown spots on its leaves

1. Natural Occurring Spots (Nectaries)

Some philodendrons have naturally occurring brown spots on their leaves and stems. These spots are called nectaries. They secrete a sweet sap that attracts pollinating insects in the wild. Nectaries are harmless and a sign of good health.

2. Overwatering

Excess moisture leads to soggy soil, preventing oxygen from reaching the roots. Roots may rot, causing poor nutrient absorption and brown leaf spots.

3. Too Much Sun

Direct sunlight can scorch philodendron leaves. It causes small tan or brown blemishes, especially on newer leaves.

4. Low Humidity

Philodendrons prefer 40-60% humidity. In dry air, leaf tips and edges turn brown. Mist regularly or use a pebble tray to increase humidity.

5. Improper Fertilizing

Too much or too strong fertilizer can burn roots and leaves. Brown spots with a white, crusty deposit indicate fertilizer burn.

6. Poor Air Circulation

Stagnant air causes leaves to remain wet for too long. This encourages fungal and bacterial diseases that lead to spotting.

7. Fungal Leaf Spot Disease

This common disease causes small, circular brown spots surrounded by yellow rings. It thrives in wet conditions.

8. Pests

Insects like spider mites, aphids, and scales feast on leaf sap, leaving behind brown damage. Check the undersides of leaves for any bugs.

9. Cold Temperatures

If temps dip below 60°F, philodendron growth will slow. Cool air and drafts cause brown leaf tips and margins.

10. Tap Water

Chlorine and salts in tap water can build up in the soil. This causes brown leaf spots, especially around the edges.

11. Dense Soil

Soil that retains too much water prevents drainage, leading to root rot and associated leaf spotting.

12. Low Light

Insufficient light leads to smaller, deformed leaves. Pale, stunted growth is more prone to spots and discoloration.

13. Underwatering

Dry soil causes leaves to wilt and crisp. Brown scorching and spots indicate your philodendron needs more frequent watering.

How to Treat and Fix Brown Spots on Philodendron

Once you’ve identified the cause, you can take action to treat brown spots on your philodendron:

• Check soil moisture before watering to prevent overwatering. Water less frequently.

• Move plant away from direct sun, provide gently filtered light instead.

• Increase humidity through misting, pebble trays, or grouping plants together.

• Flush soil to wash away fertilizer salts. Use weaker fertilizer at 1/4 to 1/2 strength.

• Improve air flow by spacing plants out. Turn leaves regularly to dry both sides.

• Apply copper fungicide spray to kill fungal leaf spot disease.

• Treat any pests with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap solutions.

• Keep philodendron in temperatures above 65°F. Move away from cold drafts.

• Allow tap water to sit out for 24 hours before using so chlorine can dissipate.

• Repot in loose, well-draining soil. Add perlite to improve drainage.

• Provide brighter light from an east or west window, or use a grow light.

• Water when top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Don’t let it completely dry out.

With the proper care, your philodendron’s leaves should grow back healthy without spots. But you’ll need to be vigilant and address any issues right away to prevent damage.

Should You Remove Leaves with Brown Spots?

It’s generally best to trim off affected leaves, especially if they are heavily infested with disease or pests. Cut near the base of the leaf stem at an angle. Be sure to sterilize pruners between each cut to prevent spread.

Removing damaged leaves accomplishes two things:

1. Prevents disease/pests from spreading to healthy leaves.

2. Allows the plant to focus energy on new, healthy growth instead of sustaining damaged leaves.

However, don’t remove more than 20-25% of leaves at once. This can shock the plant. You can prune off a few affected leaves per week until all damage is removed.

Can Leaf Removal Stop Spread of Fungal Leaf Spot?

Removing infected leaves can help manage the disease, but fungal spores may still be present in the air or soil. So leaf removal alone is not enough. You also need to take steps to treat the fungus and prevent its spread:

• Apply copper fungicide spray after pruning off affected leaves.

• Improve air circulation and reduce humidity.

• Water at the base of the plant, avoid wetting leaves.

• Disinfect any tools used on diseased plants.

• Isolate infected philodendrons from other plants.

With diligence, you can get an infestation under control. But philodendrons with recurring fungal problems may need to be discarded so the disease doesn’t spread.

Will New Leaves Grow Back Healthy?

Once you remedy the underlying cause of brown spots, new philodendron leaves that emerge should be free of blemishes.

However, any existing damaged leaves will not recover or turn green again. The browned areas are permanent.

But as your philodendron produces vigorous new growth, the spotted leaves will eventually fade and die off. With time and proper care, you can restore your plant to its former glory!

While brown spots on philodendron leaves may look unsightly, they are usually easy to treat. Just identify the cause and make appropriate adjustments to care.

Remove any severely damaged leaves, treat disease and pests, and get your plant growing in optimal conditions again. With some time and TLC, its beauty will return.