Watering Houseplants with Brown Tips of Leaves

Determining the Cause of Brown Leaves

Before we look specifically at watering houseplants with brown tips of leaves, we need to do a little homework about why the leaves might be brown in the first place.

If you know that you've been pretty neglectful of your houseplants, the odds are good that the cause of the brown leaves in under watering. If you know you've been watering a lot, over watering is a good guess for the culprit.

There are other problems that can cause plants to suddenly have brown or yellow leaves. A change in sunlight, such as if the plant has been moved from one room to another, can cause the plant to drop leaves. Sometimes moving a plant to a different container or just changing your watering routine can lead to brown leaves.

Plants that are root-bound often have problems with brown or yellow leaves, so this is one of the first things you should check. If the roots of the plant are growing in circles and look like a big mass or are growing out through the bottom of the pot, just moving your plant to a bigger home can solve your brown leaf problem.

Sometimes the minerals and nutrients in the soil cause leaves to brown. Chlorine, salt and fluoride can all cause leaves to turn brown on some houseplants. Using too much fertilizer may also be a culprit. If you think one of these issues might be your problem, try a soil test and see what's going on.

Finally, insect infestation and diseases can be the root of brown leaves on houseplants. Spider mites and other insects may cause damage to the plant, and blights or other diseases often turn leaves spotty or brown.

It takes a process of elimination to determine exactly what's going on with your plants, and each problem requires a slightly different treatment, whether that's regulating the water supply, cutting back on fertilizer, removing insects or moving the plant to a bigger and better home.

Tips for Watering Houseplants with Brown Tips of Leaves

Now that you've got an idea of what is causing the brown leaves, watering properly can make a big difference in the continued good health of your plants.

First, make sure that your plants are getting enough water. A great way to test if a plant needs water is to stick your finger into the soil down to the second knuckle. If you can feel moisture all the way down your finger, you don't need to water.

Remember that plants in sunny locations will need water more often than plants in the shade, and that plants that grow quickly or are root-bound will need more water. Also, clay pots lose moisture more quickly than plastic pots, because the water can evaporate from the sides of clay pots.

Most plants do well in pots with good drainage, so make sure your pots have drainage holes. You can also buy plates to hold any excess water that drains out of the plant, protecting your furniture or patio.

The kind of water you use is also important. It's a good idea to avoid watering plants with chemically softened water, because it often contains an excess of salts. Chlorine and fluoride are often found in municipal water supplies, so watering plants with filtered water is helpful.

You can also leave tap water to sit for a few hours before watering plants with it. This allows the chlorine to evaporate, making it safer for your houseplants. Spider plants, prayer plants and other sensitive houseplants do best when watered with rainwater instead of water from the tap.

Finally, make sure you're using a good watering technique. Don't allow the water to splash up onto the leaves of the plant, because this can allow diseases or insects that are in the soil to get onto the plant. Water thoroughly, so that all the soil looks moist, and make sure you drain off any excess water that drains through the plant to prevent root rot.