Why Is My Coffee Plant Leaves Turning Brown? Causes and Solutions Explained
Coffee plants are prized for their glossy green leaves and eye-catching white flowers However, many coffee plant owners face the distressing issue of their coffee plant’s leaves turning brown. Understanding why this happens and how to fix it is key to reviving your coffee plant’s health.
In this comprehensive guide, we will dive into the major causes of brown leaves on coffee plants and provide actionable solutions to restore the plant’s vibrancy.
Coffee Plant Leaf Problems – How To Identify Them
Here are the most common signs of unhealthy coffee plant leaves that indicate underlying issues
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Brown edges and tips – This localized browning is often caused by underwatering or poor drainage. Address the watering schedule and soil conditions.
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Entire leaf turning brown and crispy – This widespread browning results from excessive sunlight exposure that literally burns the leaf. Move the plant to a shadier spot.
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Light brown patches and transparent areas – Lack of chlorophyll causes these issues, stemming from nutrient deficiencies, overwatering, high soil pH, or damaged roots.
6 Main Causes of Brown Leaves on Coffee Plants
Low humidity – Coffee plants thrive in humidity above 50%. Dry air causes the leaves to lose moisture, dry out, and turn brown.
Brown eyespot disease – This fungal infection creates brown spots with yellow halos. It spreads via wind and water so isolate sick plants.
Cold temperature – Temps below 54°F can shock coffee plants as they prefer 70-80°F. Drastic temperature drops turn leaves brown.
Excess sunlight – Direct hot sun burns the tender leaves. Filtered light prevents sunscorch browning.
Too little sunlight – Insufficient light starves the plant of energy to produce chlorophyll and healthy growth.
Overwatering – Wet soggy soil suffocates roots and facilitates fungal spread. Allow soil to partially dry before watering.
Fixes and Solutions For Brown Coffee Plant Leaves
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Increase humidity through daily misting and use of a humidifier or pebble tray.
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Rule out and treat fungal infections with antifungal sprays. Remove affected leaves.
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Maintain indoor temperatures above 60°F. Move plant away from drafty areas.
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Filter sunlight with curtains or move the plant back from windows.
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Provide at least 2 hours of bright indirect sunlight daily. Rotate the plant.
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Check soil moisture before watering and only water when top few inches are dry.
While some affected leaves can be trimmed, those that are entirely brown and crispy should be removed to stop nutrient loss and potential pest/disease spread.
Optimal Growing Conditions Prevent Brown Leaves
To avoid recurrent issues with brown leaves, provide the ideal growing conditions including:
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Rich, fertile soil with a pH of 6-6.5. Maintain even moisture but not sogginess.
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Temperatures between 65-80°F. Protect from cold drafts.
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High humidity above 50%. Mist leaves and use a humidifier.
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Bright indirect light about 2-4 hours daily. Avoid hot direct sunlight.
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Regular balanced fertilizer to nourish the plant. Avoid overfertilizing.
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Generous watering when topsoil dries out. Take care not to overwater.
Your Coffee Plant’s Vibrancy Restored
While brown leaves can be disheartening, identifying the underlying cause and adjusting care accordingly can revive your coffee plant. Trim off incurable crispy leaves and double down on providing optimal humidity, balanced sunlight, even moisture, and protection from temperature swings. With some TLC, your coffee plant’s leaves will turn lush green once again.
Coffee plants are noted for the rich green of their leaves. However, many owners will find at one time or another that the shiny green leaves are turning a distressing shade of brown. Thankfully the coffee plant is a hardy one. Once you identify the cause of the problem and fix it, your coffee plant should start to rebound quickly.
Low humidity Coffee plants originate from high-humidity tropical environments. One of the reasons that a coffee plant’s leaves may be turning brown is that there isn’t enough humidity in the air and the leaves are simply drying out.
Thankfully, this can be solved by giving the plant a good misting every day or so. You can also help increase the humidity in a room with a humidifier or pebble tray.
Too much sun Coffee plants prefer to live in bright indirect sunlight. Too much direct sun can burn their leaves. Browning leaves could be a sign that your plant would prefer a new spot in your home, preferably in a bright spot like an east window.
Bad drainage Coffee plants like moist soil, but not soggy soil. If water isn’t allowed to drain or dry out enough between waterings, your coffee plant may be at risk of root rot. Browning leaves are a sign that the plant’s soil is staying too moist. Allow 25% of the soil volume to dry before you water. If you’re concerned your plant has root rot, you can actually physically check them. Dark and slimy roots are a sign of root rot.
COFFEE PLANT CARE INDOORS | why you have brown leaves! | coffea arabica
FAQ
How to fix brown leaves on coffee plants?
One of the reasons that a coffee plant’s leaves may be turning brown is that there isn’t enough humidity in the air and the leaves are simply drying out. Thankfully, this can be solved by giving the plant a good misting every day or so. You can also help increase the humidity in a room with a humidifier or pebble tray.
What does an overwatered coffee plant look like?
Yellow leaves/drooping yellow leaves – This is a sign that your coffee plant is getting too much water.
How often should you water a coffee plant?
Keep well-watered; But never leave a coffee plant sitting in a pool of water. Allow the top 1-3 inches of soil dry to out before watering deeply once again. (I tend to water mine every 2-3 days in warm summer months, and every 3-5 days in winter).
How do you fix brown leaves on plants?
If the roots are not bound together and look healthy, your plant just needs a bit more water to keep its foliage green and healthy. Repot your plant, either in its original planter or a larger one if necessary. Prune away any brown or wilted leaves so your plant can direct its energy to producing new, healthy growth.
How do I know if my coffee plant is dying?
Here are a few indications that your coffee plant may be suffering: Brown edges and sides of leaves are early signs that show that your coffee plant is facing some issues. Browning of the ends of leaves is primarily due to inadequate irrigating or poor drainage.
Why do coffee plant leaves turn brown and dry?
There is nothing more disappointing than watching the leaves of a coffee plant turn brown and dry. Coffee plant leaves turn brown because of environmental factors such as variations in light, temperature, and humidity. In addition, soil quality, such as its pH levels and drainage ability, can also affect the health of the coffee plant leaves.
Why is my Coffee Tree turning brown?
Today, let’s dive into the main reasons why this happens and how to fix it. If you notice that the tips of your coffee tree’s leaves are browning, the first thing you should suspect is that the plant is root-bound. Coffee trees have a tendency to spread their roots widely underground, making them prone to becoming root-bound.
Why do coffee leaves turn green?
The green in healthy Coffee leaves comes from the chlorophyll pigment. It helps your plant in photosynthesis by absorbing sunlight. If your Coffee leaves become brown, they can no longer absorb the light. When the plant does not photosynthesize, it runs out of energy.
Why are my coffee leaves discoloring?
Sunburn is the most widespread reason for the discoloration of leaves. Coffee plants do not like direct sunlight and instead need indirect daylight. Exposing your coffee plant to direct sunlight for extended periods can cause damage to its leaf tissues. The damage can result in discoloration of the leaves.
How do I Keep my Coffee Plant from turning brown?
Intense sunlight can damage your plant’s leaf tissues. To avoid or cure brown leaves caused by scorching, place your Coffee plant pot in a shaded area. I usually keep my Coffee plants next to the window. When the sunlight is too strong, the blackout curtains protect my plants.