When you see brown spots appearing on your pothos leaves it’s understandable to worry. Pothos generally do well even without much caring for them. So when something is amiss, like brown leaves, it’s even more of a concern.
Don’t panic though – brown leaves are usually a sign that your plant needs something changing but something that is easy to do. Where the brown spots are and what they look like will show you exactly what it is your pothos wants.
The edges being brown and crispy will point to a different issues than if they are dark and soft spots. You’re being given clues by your plant as to what is wrong
So let’s take a look at the main reasons for brown leaves and how to deal with them.
Watering
Let’s start with the most common reason: how you’re watering. Both too much and too little water can have major effects on plants.
If your pothos leaves feel mushy that’s a big sign you’ve given it too much water. But if they have brown edges then that shows it needs more.
So even though watering can seem simple it’s often the trickiest part to get right. Too much is just as harmful as forgetting about your plant for weeks.
Overwatering
If it looks mushy and a sort of yellow brown then it’s likely to have waterlogged soil. The roots are the same and don’t like it.
When the soil is consistently wet the roots can’t breathe and will eventually start to rot. When that happens you’ll probably smell something nasty coming from the soil. Or the leaves will go limp. Or both!
Unfortunately by that stage the answer won’t just be to water less. You may need to report your pothos in fresh and dry soil.
If you see any black roots while repotting then trim them away. Once you’ve reported it wait until the top couple inches of soil feel dry before you water again.
Underwatering
HumidityLiving in homes that have a tightly controlled climate is tough for a tropical plant like pothos. In nature it would have lived in humid conditions that are very different from our living rooms.
And when the air gets too dry you might begin to see the tips of your pothos leaves turning brown. It’s then you’ll want to try and make your home humid.
Grouping your pothos with other plants where they increase the humidity for each other is a great starting point. A small tray of pebbles and water near your plant works really well too. Make sure you keep the pot above the water line though so the roots don’t get too wet.
You can also use a humidifier. If so put it near to but not directly on your pothos so you don’t get water spots on it’s leaves.
Light
Pothos do well with lots of different light conditions. But if you’re going to extreme one or the other they will start showing how unhappy they are.
Brown patches on leaves can be sunburn from too much sun. Pothos may be able to deal with bright light but if it’s direct coming through it window it can absolutely burn the leaves.
In nature they would grow under the llarger trees which would deuce the amount of direct light they were getting. You can help make your home similar to this by using a sheer curtain over the window your pothos gets it light from.
Or just move it a few feet back from the light. The best spot is usually near an east facing window.
Pests
Sometimes brown spots appear because tiny pests have invaded. Spider mites often become a problem during the winter months. Mealybugs leave patches of what looks like cotton along the stems and leaves.
These pests can make your otherwise healthy pothos really struggle if you don’t get on top of them.
So take a close look at your plant, especially under the leaves. See anything suspicious?
You can get rid of a lot of the pests by simply washing your plant in the sink. The power of the tap water will knock many of them off.
To deter more pests try a solution of soap and water. And neem oil will help to finish off the really stubborn ones.
Just remember to test any treatment on a single leaf first so you know your plant isn’t going to react badly to it.
Nutrient Deficiencies
If the pothos leaves are turning pale or getting brown spots it could be that your plant needs some nutrients.
The most common nutrient issues show up as yellow leaves with brown edges. You might also find newer leaves are coming in smaller than usual.
This happens when your pothos has been in the same pot for a year or more and it’s used up all the nutrients and goodness that was in the soil.
But don’t go mad with fertilizer. Being gentle with it is the best way.
Start with a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength and use it during the growing season (that’s spring and summer).
Watch how your plant reacts to the fertiliser. If you start getting new growth and greener leaves it will show you you’re on the right track.
Fungal and Bacterial Problems
Sometimes brown spots and patches can have a more subtle reason. Things like fungi or bacteria can thrive if your plant is too damp.
These spots will look different from other problems. They might have yellow halos around them, be circular or feel slightly raised to the touch.
If you see these spreading across the leaves then that’s a good sign you’re
dealing with an infection.
The good news? Many fungal and bacterial issues are fairly easy to stop.
They live on moisture so if you can stop getting water on the leaves when you’re watering your plant you’re half way there. And if you mist your pothos do it early in the day to give the leaves the chance to dry before the evening.
For any existing infections you will want to remove the affected leaves. Just snip them off.
Then work to make the air flow around you plant or plants better. So keep them apart from one another and the room they’re in has good ventilation.
Some gardeners swear by cinnamon as a natural antifungal. If you want to try it just dust the the leaves that are affects we with the cinnamon and it has a chance of helping.
Temperature
Pothos are surprisingly sensitive about temperature. If it’s too hot or too cold it can cause brown leaves or edges.
To get it to right for them think about where you would be comfortable sitting in your house. That’s what your pothos will like too.
The best temperature for a pothos plant is between 65 to 75°F. But it’s any sudden changes that really upset them.
Moving your plant just a foot or two away from somewhere that gets a draft can make all the difference. Badly insulated windows are terrible for them.
Root Bound
Like most plants pothos will get too big for their pot at some point. When the roots are coming out of the drainage holes you know it’s time to find it a bigger home.
Being too cramped will make the roots unable to take up the water and nutrients and this can lead to brown leaves.
All you need is a pot that’s a couple of inches bigger than the one it’s already in. If it has too much space that can cause issues as well.
A good time to do your reporting is in the spring for early summer as it’s when your pothos will be naturally growing more. A pot that has a good amount of drainage holes and some new potting mix will set your plant up for success.
Natural Aging
Sometimes brown leaves are just natural aging. Plants will retire their older leaves so they can put more energy into new growth. It’s usually the lower leaves that this happens with.
Don’t feel guilty about snipping off these leaves. It will actually help your plant in the long run.
It encourages your pothos to send its energy towards new and healthy growth. But remember: if you see lots of leaves turn brown all at once, that’s not natural aging. You’ll want to look in to what else could be causing it.
Quick Reference Table: Diagnosing Brown Leaves
| Cause | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatering | Yellow mushy leaves and wet soil | Let the soil dry and repot the plant if you have to |
| Underwatering | Curling leaves, dry soil | Water fully to rehydrate soil |
| Low Humidity | Brittle tips, dry edges | Mist the leaves and maybe use a humidifier |
| Sunlight Scorch | Burnt patches and curling leaves | Move to indirect light |
| Pests | Sticky substance, webbing, yellow circles | Wipe the leaves and use neem oil |
| Fungal Disease | Irregular spots, slimy texture | Remove the affected leaves, Mel the air flow better |
| Nutrient Deficiency | Pale, poor growth, brown tips | Fertilize often |
| Root Bound | Roots pushing out of the bottom of the pot, poor growth | Repot into a larger pot |
| Aging | Leaves turning brown and falling off | Prune often, focus on it’s general health |
Bringing It All Together
The most important thing you can do is pay attention to what your pothos is doing. Brown leaves are definitely telling you something.
Make small changes one at a time. It could be something as simple as moving it to a new spot or how often you’re watering.
Remember that even people who have looked after plants for years have challenges with their pothos from time to time. But as long as you’re being patient and keeping an eye on the leaves color, how moist the soil is and your plants new growth you’ll be able to figure out what’s going on.