Why are my pothos leaves turning brown?

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Pothos houseplant leaves turn yellow and brown and dry for a variety of reasons: when grown in too little light, an irregular watering pattern, or the plant is sitting in water and may be the beginning of root rot. When you see brown leaves on a plant, tip it out of the pot and see if it looks root bound.



Then, why are the tips of my pothos leaves turning brown?

Watering. Over-watering a pothos plant may result in brown spots on the leaves, especially if the soil is heavy and dense. When soil becomes waterlogged, oxygen cannot reach the roots, which stresses the plant and prevents it from taking up water and nutrients. As a result, brown spots may appear on the foliage.

Also Know, how often do you water a pothos plant? You need to water your pothos only if the pot/planter has been completely dry, but a bit neglect won't hurt the plant much. Depending where you live, for indoor plant this might be somewhere between 3–7 days. Outdoor plant need a bit more water until it is established (you can water it every 2–4 days).

Consequently, how do you tell if pothos is dying?

If the leaves are limp, but still green, and the soil is dry, the plant probably needs water. If the leaves are yellow, you've probably over-watered the plant. Golden pothos does not like wet roots and needs the soil to dry out between waterings. Check the stems and roots for dark, soft spots.

Can you cut brown tips off plants?

Yes, but leave just a little bit of brown on each leaf to avoid stressing the plant. If it's brown and dry, then cut the whole leaf, but not too far from the main branch so that it will grow a new leaf. If it still green but just the tip is brown, then use a sharp pair of scissors to just trim the edges.

36 Related Question Answers Found

Should I cut yellow leaves off pothos?

Pothos with yellowing leaves may indicate root rot. Snip off yellowing leaves, disinfecting the blades after each cut. If more than one-third of the pathos leaves yellow, trim over time rather than removing so much foliage at once. If the disease has spread to the roots, you may not be able to save the plant.

Should you mist pothos?

Place the plant on top, being sure that the water isn't touching the pot. Also, don't mist plants that don't require a lot of moisture, like succulents, dragon tree (Draceana marginata), fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), yucca, pothos, ponytail plant (Beaucarnea recurvata), cissus and spider plant.

Should I cut off dying leaves?

Should you cut off dying leaves? Yes. Remove brown and dying leaves from your house plants as soon as possible, but only if they're more than 50 percent damaged. Cutting off these leaves allows the remaining healthy foliage to receive more nutrients and improves the plant's appearance.

Can yellow leaves turn green again?

Diagnosis: If the leaves are turning yellow — almost jaundice-looking — and the center stalk is turning brown and getting a little soft, chances are you might be overwatering your plant. Lastly, remove yellow leaves, as they will not turn vibrant green again — and don't worry, it's all for the best.

Should I cut off burnt leaves?


The reason to wait before cutting plants back is that pruning stimulates new growth from lower down on the stem. Fresh new growth is soft and quite likely to be burnt or even killed by high temperatures and a lack of water. Cover the bare area that is left by removing a plant with a layer of organic mulch.

Can Brown leaves turn green again?

Leaf tips turn brown when that lost water can't be replaced for some reason. Ideally, water flows from plant roots through stems and waterways until it finally reaches leaf tips last. Once they turn brown, those dead tip cells can't be revived, but quick corrections help restore the rest of your plant to health.

How do you fix brown leaves on plants?

When houseplants get brown tips on their leaves, it's generally an indication of poor watering habits. The best way to water a houseplant is to thoroughly flush it until water runs freely out the drainage holes. Shallow watering can cause brown tips on the leaves.

How do you treat brown spots on leaves?

To treat Leaf Spot Disease, try this homemade remedy of putting a tablespoon or two of baking soda and a teaspoon or two of mineral oil in a spray bottle of water. Shake the solution well and then spray all areas of the plant that are infected with brown spots.

How do you save Overwatered pothos?

To save an overwatered plant, start by moving it out of the sun and into a shady spot. Then, carefully remove the plant from its pot and place it on top of a baking rack for several hours so the roots can dry. If any of the roots are brown or smell like they're rotting, prune them off.

How do you revive a pothos death?


Use sharp scissors or small pruning shears, cleanly cutting away the damaged stems and leaves. Cut the wilting vines about 2 inches from the surface of the soil to encourage healthy, new growth and promote a bushier shape. Examine the remaining leaves on your dying pothos plant.

Does hydrogen peroxide kill root rot?

The good news is it can be treated with hydrogen peroxide. So, if you discover root rot or believe your soil is badly aerated, here is what you can do. It can and will kill off bacteria and fungus. Use a weak solution (around 3%) and mix it roughly one part chemical to two parts water.

Can plants recover from root rot?

Wash the pot thoroughly with a bleach solution. If possible, dip the remaining healthy roots in a fungicide solution to kill off any possible root rot fungus. After treating root rot in the plant, repot the plant in clean potting mix. Hopefully now the plant will recover and you will get your beautiful houseplant back.

How do you revive a dying plant?

Try these six steps to revive your plant.
  1. Repot your plant. Use a high quality indoor plant potting mix to revitalise your plant, and choose a pot that is wider than the last one.
  2. Trim your plant. If there is damage to the roots, trim back the leaves.
  3. Move your plant.
  4. Water your plant.
  5. Feed your plant.
  6. Wipe your plant.

Can pothos live in water forever?

In short – yes, although it may take some time to adjust. It will slow down if you transplant into water and you may see a leaf or two yellow and die off. It's best to grow new pothos vines in water and let them grow in water forever instead of transplanting an existing soil plant into water.

Do pothos leaves grow back?


Very long Pothos vines invariably start to lose leaves from the pot up and they never replace those leaves. New growth is always at the tip ends of each vine. It is best to cut back long vines before they start to lose leaves.

Can pothos take full sun?

Basic pothos care is very easy. These plants enjoy a wide range of environments. They do well in bright indirect light as well as low light and can be grown in dry soil or in vases of water. While pothos likes a wide variety of light conditions, they do not do well in direct sunlight.

Are coffee grounds good for pothos?

Golden Pothos and Philodendron
These two popular houseplants both like the occasional coffee. In addition, you may add grounds, complete with non-bleached coffee filters, into the potting soil with each transplant. The addition of grounds when transplanting will keep the vines robust and encourage growth.