Conditions are too dry. That doesnt mean their environment should be so hot that you sweat through your shirt whenever you water your plants the ideal temperature range is 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. These sap-sucking pests are small but easy to identify by the white substance they use to protect themselves while feeding on foliage. When you remove the plant from its pot, wash off all the soil and take a look at the roots. Keep the soil moist from spring to autumn, and provide some humidity by misting the leaves daily or standing on a tray of moist pebbles. Symptoms start as water-soaked areas along the leaf The lesions are clear appearing and run together readily. Take the time to inspect your plant for any signs of brown spots at least once a month. If the Lower Leaves Turn Yellow and Other Leaves Become Spotted or Curl . Spider mites are hard to spot. WebWhen the lower leaves of your Calathea begin to turn yellow and/or other leaves begin to curl or develop spots, its a sign that the plant is receiving too little water. Related: Calathea Light Requirements: The Ultimate Guide. This common problem has a number of reasons, and most of them are luckily easy to fix. One common problem they have is curling leaves. If conditions are not quite right, you may encounter a common issue among Calathea growers leaves turning brown at the edges. Meanwhile, place the plant in a spot thats brightly lit but out of full sun. Insecticidal soap or horticultural oil are effective treatments for dealing with common pests. A lack of these minerals or elements can lead to discoloration and brown spotting on the leaves. WebFor example, if you noticed that pale, transparent spots appear on Calathea leaves, the plant was exposed to intense cold. Unfortunately, there is no way to keep spider mites from infesting your plants completely, but there are things you can do to limit your risk, such as removing damaged leaves and keeping humidity high around your plant. Check the soil of your Calatheas pot before adding more water. Yellow or pale foliage is one way this problem can manifest. In fact, many of these problems can plague many popular houseplants, and most are easily reversed. This usually begins at the tips and slowly spreads to the rest of the leaf if the issue is not fixed. If there are only a few leaves that have brown spots, you may be able to control the problem by pruning them off the plant. If you do decide to feed the Calathea, make sure to use a balanced liquid fertilizer, and apply it at 1/2 its strength no more than once a month during the spring and summer. Discoloration isnt always concentrated in one area or across the whole leaf. Keep going until youve rinsed the pot with 3-4 times its total volume. It is always best to prevent your Calathea from getting brown spots in the first place. Temperature issues. As mentioned before, Calatheas are very sensitive to overwatering. Once you have the issue causing the brown spots on Calathea identified and corrected, the plant should make a full recovery. Not giving the Calathea enough water can also cause the leaves to develop brown spots. Apply the same steps in irradicating scale as with mealybug. You may also be interested in: How Often to Water Calathea Plants (So They Thrive). This will give any chlorine in the water enough time to dissipate. Ensure that the soil is well-draining and allow it to dry out between waterings. Brown spots on Calathea leaves can be caused by environmental, pest, and disease-related issues. If the Pattern in the Leaves Fades or Disappears . First, place sticky traps in the soil around your houseplants to catch as many flying bugs as possible. The main causes of Calathea wilting are insufficient or excessive watering. But were here to tell you: dont beat yourself up. You may also notice stunted growth or wilting of the plant. Soil: Well-draining, acidic (5.5-6.5 pH) Light: Partial or deep shade. Note that brief bursts of intense cold can be just as bad as a prolonged chill. Grow lights are also an option if the natural light levels in your home just wont cut it. It could also signal that the air is too dry. To prevent underwatering, consistently water your Calathea plant to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Root rot is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. in-depth article on proper illumination for Calatheas. If you must feed the plant, consider using a more organic option, such as worm castings or compost. If the brown spots are only on a few leaves though, then snipping them off probably wont cause any issues. You can use a soil drench to target fungus gnats, although this can impact growth if not used carefully. Philodendron Scandens Brazil Araces. Sun scorch. The last step to preventing future brown spots is avoiding overcrowding plants. Test the humidity around your plant. WebIf you have ever grown Calathea plants, you know that they are finicky. Calatheas can be quite fussy, especially if you have a rarer variety that is difficult to keep happy. The result is brown, dead tissue at the tips and edges of leaves. To identify if your plant is affected by pests, you should look for small insects or clusters of waxy substances on the undersides of the leaves. If youre not sure whether or not this is the cause of the brown spots on Calathea, take a look at the top of the soil. Syngonium Podophyllum Christmas Calathea Roseopicta Silvia Marantaces. If, however, the soil is dry and pulling away from the sides of the plant, your problem is not enough water. In most cases, contact occurs when you water the plant from above, since this causes soil to splash up on the leaves. High temperatures can also result in curling to prevent loss of moisture in the leaves, and cold drafts can cause the leaves to shrivel. Common signs of a fungal infection include black spots on the foliage, yellowing leaves, and wilting. Weirdly enough, too much water can be even worse than too little when it comes to maintaining a healthy plant. Calathea jungle velvet adores well-drained, airy, and moist soil to grow. Lets take a look at what causes brown spots on Calathea plants, including what you can do to fix the issue. However, this can vary depending on the brand used. Calatheas do like their soil to stay moist, but not soggy, and not giving them enough water can cause their leaves to start drying out. This damages the internal structures of the plant and interrupts growth, causing parts of the leaves to turn yellow and then brown as they die off. Well identify the various problems that can afflict your Calatheas leaves, then talk about how to prevent them and restore your plant to health. If youve left your plant in the same pot for 2 or 3 years, it might be root bound enough to hamper growth. Although less likely on Calatheas, you also need to keep an eye out for scale insects. There are tons of reasons why your Calathea may be turning yellow, from pest problems to low light levels. This helps reduce the risk of spreading pests or diseases from one plant to another, which can cause brown spots on leaves. Calathea Misto is native to the tropical Americas. Thats because roots need some oxygen to function, which they normally draw from tiny air pockets in the soil. Another moisture issue lack of humidity may also be the cause. The most common culprit is severe sun scorch. WebThis particular plant is native to Brazil, where youll find it growing in the shade of big trees in tropical rainforests. Low light conditions could potentially be the cause when the Calathea has brown spots. Then, treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to remove the bugs, using repeat applications at recommended intervals until all the pests have been removed. When conditions are extremely dry, consider misting the Calathea to help keep the leaves moist, while also increasing the humidity level. Hey, Calathea has a reputation for being difficult to raise, but arent those beautiful leaves worthy of the challenges? However, trying to find the right balance to avoid over or under watering the plant can be difficult. The moisture should evaporate from the leaf in a few minutes. Continually check the stems for tiny bumps in irregular patterns. If the air in the room is extremely muggy, you can take steps to lower the humidity somewhat. In most cases, you will need to apply the horticultural oil once every 10 to 14 days to control the pests. To rid your home of fungus gnat problems, youll need to try a couple of things. Severely dehydrated plants will start by wilting, eventually curling inwards to retain as much moisture in the leaves as possible. If the leaves are yellowing, chances are the infestation is already big enough for the signature spider mite webbing to appear and that one is hard to miss. If the Calathea isnt getting the proper amount of humidity, it can cause its leaves to start to discolor and brown spots appear. Lack of humidity. This infection appears on the lower sides of foliage as smudges of slight tan, yellow, or brown spots. All Rights Reserved, Identifying the Cause of Brown Spots on Calathea Leaves, Preventing Future Brown Spots on Calathea Plants, Why Are My Calathea Leaves Turning Yellow? CAUSE: Spider mites are minuscule relatives of spiders with four pairs of legs, no antennae and sharp mouths that pierce plant cells and suck out the fluids, leaving behind yellow, orange or white speckles. As the underwatering continues, the leaves will start to feel dry and crispy, brown spots can form, and the plants health and growth will suffer. To identify these deficiencies, you can purchase soil test kits at most garden stores. The most common culprit is severe sun scorch. This is a process Calatheas use to protect themselves when conditions are potentially damaging to them, conserving moisture and reducing exposure until the environment improves. Calatheas need temperatures that fall between 68 and 85 degrees. Then transplant your Calathea into a pot thats a couple of inches larger in diameter. Tip: To learn about growing and caring for bromeliads, click here ! While, again, you dont want the soil to be soggy, you can create a pebble tray by placing gravel or pebbles in a pot saucer, placing water in the saucer, and then sitting the pot that contains your Calathea on the pebbles or gravel. Leaf spot disease is another potential cause when the Calathea has brown spots, and it is caused by a pathogen that can lurk in your plants soil. Do you have some problems with your Chinese Money Plant and aren't quite sure what to do? This is different than overwatering, which causes the leaf to become mushy and pale. As with the related prayer plant, problems with Calathea usually indicate one of these requirements isnt being properly met. Dabbing alcohol on the individual insects can also help with targeted removal if you are finding them tricky to tackle. . Thankfully, these issues can typically be corrected rather easily. Its normal for them to fade, wither, and drop off the plant after a while. However, any problems you encounter are usually not impossible to solve. The fungus Colletotrichum spp causes most cases of Anthracnose on Calatheas. When you know what is missing from the soil, get an all-purpose fertilizer with those nutrients. Like almost all other calathea, its leaves curl up at night, then unfurl in the morning to catch all the rays they can. Nutrient deficiencies can also cause brown spots on Calathea leaves. Exposure to direct sunlight can cause brown leaves on Calathea plants. Once a leaf has developed brown spots, the spots are there to stay. Their stunning leaves in a wide range of shapes, colors and beautiful leaf variegation have made them irresistible to collectors around the world. Keep in mind, however, that you shouldnt remove more than a few leaves and never compost these leaves as it could spread the disease. 1. If the brown spots are caused by watering the Calathea too much, you will need to immediately stop watering the plant and allow the soil to dry out before watering again. 10. To keep your Calathea majestica as healthy as possible, dont let the leaves stay wet, and use a well-draining soil mix. The most common causes of brown spots on Calathea leaves are caused by either overwatering or underwatering the plant. While you dont want the soil to be soggy, you do need to keep it moist throughout the If the crisping on your Calatheas leaves is concentrated at the tips, you still have a dehydration issue, but its likely originating at the plants roots rather than the leaves themselves. If it is well below 40%, improve conditions using a humidifier. Thinking of adding a Christmas Cactus to your indoor or outdoor gardening space? Try the following recipe: Any leaf tissue thats been damaged by dehydration is going to stay brown and shriveled, even after you resolve the problem that caused it. 4. Spider mites Infestation. When the humidity in your home drops too low, it can cause the foliage to dry out and become brittle. If not, here are a few other possibilities. In order to properly treat the issue, you must first determine the cause and then take the appropriate action to save your Calathea. To pick the right fertilizer for your Calathea plant, check the soil for nutrient deficiencies. When a Calathea has brown spots, it could be because the temperature is too cold for this tropical plant. are members of the plant family Marantaceae and are native to tropical America and Africa. Go to a garden store and buy a test kit to help you figure it out. Big, irregular holes could be the work of caterpillars or slugs. These chemicals are often too harsh for Calatheas. In fact, its kind of amazing that they remain so enduringly popular, considering all the grief they give their owners. If underwatering is the issue, youll probably see your plants leaves and stems drooping before they begin to get discolored. These issues are more challenging to identify, as they require knowledge of fungal and viral diseases that affect Calathea plants. In most cases, the problem is associated with poor growing conditions or neglect. Overwatering isnt just caused by hydrating it too much it can also occur if you grow the Calathea in soil that doesnt promote drainage. A telltale sign of underwatered Calathea plants is brown spots. When your Calatheas pot is utterly drenched, the water fills in those little gaps and starts to choke the roots. That is why it is important to avoid compact, heavy soils, such as clay-based, and instead use soil that is light and airy. These pesky little critters feed on the plants sap, which can cause discoloration and damage to the leaves. Calatheas come from the tropics, and they dont do so well in frosty weather. Avoid growing the Calathea in compact soil, 5. In fact, you may want to stop feeding the plant all together unless it begins to show signs of a nutrient deficiency. Once you have identified the cause, you can take the necessary steps to get your Calathea back in good health. Pests on the other hand are another cause for Calathea leaf holes. Repotting Calatheas is not usually recommended unless the plant has outgrown its current container. Calatheas need bright, indirect light for optimal growth. A humidifier is the best way to achieve this, although grouping your moisture-loving plants close together and setting them on pebble trays can also help. Alternaria leaf spot manifests itself as small, wet-looking reddish-brown spots. Other signs of high sunlight exposure include curling and brown patches on the leaves close to the light source. Move the plant to an isolated spot away from any other houseplants to prevent spread. The best way to avoid overwatering your plant is to root it in a coarse and airy potting mix that will keep water from pooling in the pots base. Treat the Calathea with horticultural oil. Make sure the area you move the plant to doesnt have too little light either. 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