If you want to know the causes of spider plant brown tips then you are at the right place. Because in this article you will find the possible causes that turn spider plant leaves brown. This flowering plant is easy to grow and care for.
Brown leaves of spider plant is not a big problem. It does not kill the plant. Most of the time few careless mistakes are responsible for brown leaves.
Low light, Humidity, Salt build-up, Chemical contained water being the most common factor.
Let’s discuss every possible reason with its solution. So that you can prevent the browning of spider plant leaves in the future.
What causes Spider plant brown tips?
Spide plant is a beautiful houseplant. It has beautiful bright color leaves that can grow up to 15 inches long. The foliage looks very beautiful and appealing. But the brown tips of leaves destroy the beauty of this houseplant.
To fix the brown tip problem you need to find out the root cause. By adjusting the caring routine of the spider plants, you can fix the issue. Then stick to the same routine to avoid such problems in the future.
Water causes brown tips in Spider plants
We all know the tap water contains chlorine and Fluoride. In some parts of the country, the water under the ground naturally contains some fluoride. Whereas in some places the water authorities add fluoride to the water to prevent tooth decay.
Normally your spide plant won’t get affected by the single dosage of fluoride. It is a process that takes many days. If you constantly supply fluoride-rich water to the plant. You will see the brown leaf tips in just 2 to 3 weeks.
So, it is best to check the water before giving it to the growing plants. For this purpose, you can visit the local water authority website. They put the test reports of water in the area on their website. You can also request the results through E-mail.
Or
You can take a sample of your tap water and get it tested from the lab. This way you will know the exact report of your tap water.
The fluoride builds up goes into the plant with water. Then it spread in all parts of the plant and slows down the nutrient absorption rate. When it goes into leaves it creates toxicity due to which leaf tips get burn. Burn leaf tips turn into brown color.
When leaves are affected the plant absorbs less amount of light. This results in low-quality photosynthesis. Weak photosynthesis means weak and unhealthy plants.
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How to fix the Fluoride water issue?
Once you are sure the fluoride is causing brown tips in spider plant. It is easy to fix the problem. Follow the below advice and prevent the problem in the future.
The best method is changing the soil. Because flushing the soil is not an easy to process. It takes time and you have to flush it many times in a day.
Buy the best potting soil for the plant. Take it out from its container, then take out the old soil, wash the container. Fill it with the new soil and plant the spider plant in it.
Also, change the water. Now start watering the plants with distilled water. Even if your tap water only contains Chloride. It can block the root area because the chloride build-up is another reason for yellow leaves.
Water Stress Causes Spider plant brown Tips
Water stress is the second most common cause of brown tips of Spider plants. Overwatering and underwatering both put high stress on your growing plant. You need to identify which turns your spider plant tips to brown.
If The problem is overwatering you need to take quick actions. Because excess water triggers root rot. This plant disease stops nutrient and water absorption. When the plant does not get enough water and nutrients. It starts dying and the first sign of discomfort is yellow and brown leaves.
Underwatering is another reason for brow tips. But this does not mean you do not give proper water to your plants. Sometimes we just move the plant to a warm location in winters. To give it warm conditions to grow.
But we forgot that the heat released by our heating vents can dry out the plant-soil quickly. This triggers the yellow and then brown leaves if you don’t fix the issue.
Remember that spider plant needs moist soil to grow healthy. Only by watering it the proper amount of water. You can keep the soil moist all the time and avoid browning tips.
How to fix the Water stress issue?
To fix water stress in plants you need to make adjustments in your watering technique. Water more or less according to the cause.
If underwatering is the cause then it is easy to revive the plant. Just give it an adequate amount of water on time and it will thrive again. Check the soil condition before giving water to plants. If the soil is dry to touch give some water. If it feels moist then check the next day.
On the other hand, overwatering is a serious issue. You have taken quick actions to save your plant’s life. Because excess water results in fungal plant diseases. These diseases are deadly for a plant.
First of all, make the plant pot has enough draining holes. If draining holes are not there, use a drill to make some of them at the bottom.
Take out the plant from the pot remove the soil and inspect the roots. You will surely see fungus affected roots. Use sharp sterile shears and remove the affected part. Flush the soil with warm water. Let the soil dry for 10 minutes in the air. Then put it back into the pot and plant the spider plant in it.
There are other ways to fix overwatering. But this is the best and affordable way to save plants.
Low Humidity
Low humidity also causes brown tips in spider plants. This problem is common in the winter season. We have low humidity indoors in cold months. The heating system of our homes reduces indoor humidity levels.
No doubt rubber plant is the ideal indoor houseplant. It is easy to grow but you have to maintain the right humid level.
How to fix Low Humidity?
Maintaining the right humidity level is easy. In the summer months water your plants on time. Grouping the plants also increases the humid level. Or you can use the humidity tray on increases humidity around the plant.
In winters use a humidifier near the plant. You can also move the plant pot to the place where you have a humidifier.
Fertilizer
The use of excess fertilizers or the wrong type of fertilizer increases the chances of brown leaf tips. Overdosage of nutrients gets to build up near the root area. This build-up sticks to the root and causes nutrient toxicity. Excess of anything is harmful.
Then roots become clogged and unable to absorb water and nutrients. when the plant gets out of water and nutrients. Its leaves turn into yellow and brown color.
How to fix it?
You have to shift your plant to new potting soil is the only solution that works. I know flushing the soil with warm is another way. But this trick will not work on draining fertilizer build-ups. Because fertilizer build-up also increases the pH of the soil.
By flushing the soil with water, you cannot adjust the pH. Therefore, changing the soil is the right option.
Spider plants only need fertilization once every 4 months. Use liquid fertilizer for it. At the time of making Nutrients. Prepare the solution to the half-strength then the recommended. Because indoor plants grow slower than outdoor plants.
Fertilizers are made for outdoor plants. For every indoor houseplant always use a half-strength fertilizer solution.
Too much Sunlight
High intense light is overwhelming for the spider plants. Put your plant in a place where it can get indirect bright light.
Putting the plant pot in direct sunlight causes spider plant brown tips. It is good if you move the outdoor pot inside. The problem will cure in few days. But you have to remove the dead brown part of the leaves.
Once any part of the plant turns brown it cannot become green again in any way. Correcting the issue and removing the affected part to save other parts of the plant is the only solution.
