Brown leaves and dry edges: what to check

Brown leaves do not always have the same cause as yellow leaves. Identify dry edges, soft areas, localised spots and ageing before taking action.

Describe the damage

Photograph the affected areas, their position and the underside of the leaves. Note what has changed: watering, moving the plant near a window, heating, treatment or fertiliser. A photo alone is not enough to choose a corrective product.

Check the conditions

Check the substrate, drainage, proximity to a radiator and signs of pests. The watering guide and the humidity guide help organise your observations; misting is not a universal solution.

Separate different questions

For yellow discolouration, use the yellow-leaf diagnosis. For a possible nutrient issue, read the guide to plant nutrient deficiencies. If the light has changed, check the distance again using the light-adjustment method.

Editorial review: 3 October 2026 · TerraLED. Set up your equipment according to its instructions and the needs of the species.