With nearly 200 tropical species of dracaena, theres a wide variety of colors, foliage patterns, and growth habits to choose from. But most dracaena plants have one thing in common: improper care or less-than-ideal conditions can cause that beautiful foliage to turn brown and unattractive.
Heres what to do about brown dracaena leaves—plus why they happen, how to cut them off, and how to keep them from coming back.
Alexandra Jones has been an avid gardener for 13 years. She earned her Penn State Master Gardener certification in 2019.
Dragon trees, also known as Dracaena marginata, are popular houseplants prized for their slender, upright stems and graceful, v-shaped clusters of long, narrow leaves. However, despite their striking appearance, dragon tree leaves can sometimes turn brown.
As a dragon tree owner, I know that brown leaves are usually a sign that something is wrong with the plant’s care regimen. By identifying and correcting the underlying issue you can restore your dragon tree to health and prevent further leaf browning.
What Causes Dragon Tree Leaves to Turn Brown?
There are several possible causes for a dragon tree’s leaves turning brown
Underwatering
Insufficient watering is the most common reason for browning dracaena leaves. Dragon trees prefer lightly moist soil and should be watered whenever the top few inches of soil become dry If allowed to dry out for too long, the leaves will start to turn brown from the tips downward
To prevent underwatering, I make sure to thoroughly water my dragon tree whenever the topsoil becomes partly dry. This keeps the soil evenly moist.
Overwatering
While underwatering causes brown leaf tips, overwatering can lead to brown spots or streaks on the leaf blades. Excess moisture prevents the roots from getting air, making them prone to rot.
To avoid overwatering, I use containers with drainage holes and only water when the topsoil is partly dry. I also use a gritty, well-aerated potting mix to improve drainage.
Low Humidity
Dragon trees thrive in humid conditions. In dry indoor air, the leaf tips often turn brown and shrivel up.
To boost humidity, I mist the leaves daily, use a pebble tray, or run a humidifier. Grouping plants together also raises local humidity levels.
Cold Drafts
As tropical plants, dragon trees are sensitive to low temperatures and cold drafts. Exposure to temperatures below 50°F can cause the foliage to turn brown.
I keep my dragon tree away from drafty windows, vents, and air conditioners. If needed, I move it to a warmer location.
Sunburn
While dragon trees can tolerate partial sun, too much direct sun will scorch and brown the leaves. If this happens, I move my plant to a shadier spot.
Fluoride Toxicity
Dragon trees are sensitive to fluoride, which can build up in the soil from tap water and fertilizers containing superphosphate. Eventually, fluoride toxicity causes the leaf tips and margins to turn brown.
To prevent fluoride toxicity, I use distilled or rainwater rather than tap water. I also avoid fertilizers with superphosphate.
Pests
Sucking insects like mealybugs, aphids, and scale can infest dragon trees and feed on the foliage, causing browning. I check the undersides of leaves and stem joints for any pest clusters. Using horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps controls infestations.
Diseases
Fungal diseases like leaf spot can cause brown spots on dragon tree leaves. These spots often have yellow halos. To reduce disease risk, I improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. As prevention, I apply fungicides.
How to Treat and Prevent Brown Dragon Tree Leaves
Once I’ve diagnosed the cause of leaf browning, I take these steps to restore my plant’s health and stop further damage:
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Adjust the watering schedule based on the plant’s needs. I water thoroughly but allow the topsoil to partly dry out between waterings.
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Improve humidity through misting, pebble trays, or a humidifier. Grouping plants together also raises humidity.
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Move the plant away from heat vents, drafty areas, and direct sunlight. I maintain nighttime temperatures above 50°F.
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I use distilled or rainwater instead of tap water to prevent fluoride toxicity. I avoid potting soils and fertilizers with perlite or superphosphate.
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I inspect regularly for pests and use horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps to control infestations. I isolate infected plants.
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I remove diseased foliage, improve air flow, and water from below to prevent fungal diseases. I apply fungicides preventively.
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I fertilize lightly every 2-3 weeks during the growing season using a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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I prune away any leaves or stems that remain brown to improve the plant’s appearance.
With the proper adjustments to care, a dragon tree typically produces new, healthy foliage within a few weeks. Consistent care focused on providing adequate moisture, humidity, light, and pest/disease control will keep a dragon tree looking its best for years.
Underwatering
Drought conditions can cause dracaena leaves to turn brown, wilted, and crispy. Dracaena plants require consistently moist soil, so a long period of neglect can result in leaf damage or even leaf loss.
To rescue an underwatered dracaena plant, give it a deep bottom watering to restore soil moisture and trim away any brown leaves. Going forward, check the soil moisture weekly and water when the soil surface has just begun to dry out.
Cold Temperatures
Sudden cold drafts or exposure to temperatures below 50°F or so can damage the leaves of your dracaena plant. Keep plants away from cold, drafty windows and doors or air conditioning vents. Foliage thats been damaged due to cold cant be saved, so your best bet is removing the brown leaves and protecting your plant from sudden environmental shifts going forward.
Dracaena leaves turning brown and falling off
FAQ
Should I cut off brown Dracaena leaves?
As for current damage, you can trim the brown parts off, but I wouldn’t take off the entire leaf until you see new, healthier growth or the leaf is majority browned. Some plants depend on the leaves closer to the bottom to supply their processes, but that may not apply to the dracaena.
What does an underwatered Dragon Tree look like?
Under-watering, on the other hand, has your Dragon Tree crying out for a drink. The leaves will droop, looking as sad as a forgotten birthday, and the tips might brown like toast. The soil? Dry as a desert, and your plant’s growth will be as sluggish as a Monday morning.
How often does a Dragon Tree need to be watered?
Water generously once a week or until the top two inches of soil are dried out. Using a half strength liquid fertiliser every two weeks in the summer can also help to achieve maximum growth. Reduce watering and stop feeding during the colder autumn and winter when the plant will go largely dormant.
What do you do when tree leaves turn brown?
- Cause: Dry soil and drought.
- Solution: Water the tree.
- Cause: Overly moist soil.
- Solution: Assess your watering schedule.
- Cause: Limited or damaged root system.
- Solution: Time and adequate watering.
- Cause: Fungal or bacterial diseases.
- Solution: Call in a professional.