Calathea plants are known for their beautifully patterned, colorful leaves. However, the appearance of ugly brown spots on those leaves can quickly ruin their ornamental appeal.
If you’ve noticed brown spots on your calathea don’t panic. With some detective work and proper care you can get your calathea looking lush and healthy again.
This article will talk about the different reasons why calathea leaves get brown spots and how to treat and avoid this problem.
What Causes Brown Spots on Calathea Leaves?
There are several potential causes of brown spots on calathea leaves:
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Overwatering – Excess moisture around the roots leads to root rot, which causes the leaves to develop brown spots This is one of the most common reasons for brown spots
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If the soil dries out too much between waterings, the leaves can dry out and brown spots can appear. Calathea need consistently moist soil.
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Low humidity – Calathea prefer 40-60% humidity. In dry air, the leaf edges and tips turn brown.
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Sunburn – Direct sun scorches the delicate leaves. Move the plant to bright, indirect light.
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Cold drafts – Low temps below 60°F (15°C) can damage the leaves. Avoid drafty areas.
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Mineral buildup: Too much fertilizer and tap water can cause minerals and salt to build up. Use distilled or rainwater.
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Diseases – Fungal or bacterial diseases like leaf spot cause spots with yellow halos.
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Pests: Brown spots can be caused by insects that pierce and eat the leaves. Check for webbing, eggs, or bugs.
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Old leaves – Lower leaves naturally yellow and drop as the plant grows. This is normal. Just remove them.
The exact cause determines the solution, so inspect the plant and growing conditions closely to diagnose the issue. Multiple causes can also be at play.
How to Treat Brown Spots on Calathea
Once you’ve determined the likely cause, take these steps to treat and resolve brown spots on calathea:
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If caused by overwatering, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Remove damaged leaves.
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For underwatering, water more frequently to keep the soil consistently moist. Mist leaves daily.
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Increase humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray. Mist leaves daily.
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Move the plant away from direct sun to a spot with bright, indirect light.
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Keep the plant above 60°F/15°C and avoid cold drafts. Move away from drafty windows or vents.
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Flush the soil every few months to prevent mineral buildup. Use distilled or rainwater.
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Apply a fungicide for disease. Remove badly infected leaves. Improve air circulation.
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Treat pests with insecticidal soap. Isolate plant and prune damaged leaves.
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Simply prune old or damaged leaves at the base of the stem. It’s natural for some old leaves to yellow.
With the correct treatment and improved care, your calathea should start producing new leaves without spots. But be patient, as it can take weeks or months to rejuvenate the plant and replace damaged leaves.
How to Prevent Brown Spots on Calathea
Prevention is always better than treating brown spots after they occur. Follow these care tips to keep your calathea healthy and spot-free:
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Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Don’t let the soil get bone dry or stay soggy.
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Use filtered or distilled water, not tap water, which contains minerals.
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Maintain 40-60% humidity. Set the pot on a pebble tray or use a humidifier.
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Grow in a spot with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which scorches leaves.
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Keep room temps consistently between 65-80°F / 18-27°C year round.
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Ensure the pot has drainage holes and well-draining soil to prevent moisture buildup.
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Wipe dust and dirt off leaves to maximize light absorption.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at 1/2 strength during growing season.
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Check frequently for pests like spider mites. Quarantine new plants.
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Remove old leaves promptly as they naturally yellow and die.
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Avoid drafts from vents, doors, and windows which can shock the plant.
With the proper care, your calathea will thrive and delight you with its gorgeous, spot-free leaves for years to come. Consistency is key when it comes to caring for calathea plants. Follow these tips diligently and you can avoid the headaches of brown spots.
The leaves on your Calathea could be turning brown for a number of reasons, but don’t fret! We’ll get to the bottom of this.
First, let’s clean up your plant. This allows the plant to direct its energy to new healthy growth.
- With a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears, cut off the brown leaves as a whole (they won’t turn green again) or just the damaged part.
- Between cuts, use rubbing alcohol to clean the blades of your scissors.
- You might have to trim your plant in stages because you don’t want to take off more than 20% of the affected leaves at once; doing so could shock the plant. Now, let’s get your Calathea on the road to recovery.
Water quality
The most common reason your Calathea’s leaves are turning brown on the edges could be due to your tap water. Tap water contains salts, chlorine, minerals and fluoride – all of which can build up in the soil of your plant causing the tips of the leaves to burn, turn brown, and curl up. One way you can remedy this is to use a water filtration system. If you do not have a filtration system available, leaving your water in an open container or sink overnight before using can help relieve some of the chlorine.
Increase the humidity
Your Calathea is a tropical plant, so it will thrive in more humid environments. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves on a regular basis, using a pebble tray, or moving a humidifier nearby.
Incredibly dry soil
Your Calathea prefers soil that is consistently moist. Be sure you’re not over or underwatering your plant. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 1”-2” of the soil is dry.
If you let your Calathea’s soil dry out too much by accident, the leaves may become limp and droop. They may also start to turn brown and curl. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a thorough soak is in order.
Here’s how to soak-water your Calathea:
- Put the plant in the sink or tub without the saucer. Fill your basin up with about 3-4″ of water. Make sure the water isn’t hot! .
- For at least 45 minutes, let your plant soak up water through the hole in the bottom of the pot.
- Make sure the water has reached the top 2 to 3 inches of soil after you soak your plant.
- If you feel like some of the soil is still not wet, water your Calathea from the top down to help the soil get wet faster.
- When the soil around your plant is evenly wet, drain the sink or tub and let the plant rest while it all drains. Put the plant back where it belongs on its saucer.
Temperature
Make sure your plant isn’t near heating or cooling vents or in a drafty area. Leaves will curl is the plant is cold, or excessively dry from constant airflow.
Why Your Calathea’s Leaves Keep Getting Brown Edges | Full Care Guide
FAQ
Should I cut off brown Calathea leaves?
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Plantifyhttps://plantify.co.zaCalathea Plants Care Instructions – Keep them Looking Great! – Plantify – Urban Plantery
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The Sprucehttps://www.thespruce.com6 Reasons Your Calathea Has Brown Edges and How to Fix It FastFeb 4, 2025 — Can you fix the brown edges on a calathea? Although brown calathea leaves won’t turn green again, you can improve the look of your plant by cutting b…
What does an overwatered Calathea look like?
What does an overwatered calathea look like? Yellow or wilting leaves are the main symptom of overwatering. If this is the problem, stop watering for a while, and stand the pot on a tray of gravel or pebbles to allow excess moisture to drain away.
How do you treat brown spots on leaves?
If you see brown or yellow spots that are sunken and growing in size over time, this could be something called anthracnose, a type of fungus. It’s not usually harmful, just unsightly. Solution: Isolate your plant and cut off affected leaves. You’ll probably need to use a fungicide to eliminate the problem.