Alocasia , also known as elephant capitulum or African mask , is a popular houseplant with large , attractive foliage . The leaves have a rich green color with white veins running through them , make a unique shape that bring a tropical vibration to any indoor outer space .
Although not extremely susceptible to many diseases , Alocasias are not completely resistant to sure job , and if you notice your plant ’s leaves turning brownish , you will take to do some investigating to find out the causa and take the appropriate natural action . folio singe due to lineal sunshine picture is very often the causal agent , but it might also have to do with long - term neglect or out or keeping growing weather .
Hopefully , this guide will facilitate you determine why your Alocasia ’s leaves are turning brown , as well as what you may do to economize your works .
Why are my Alocasia leaves turning brown?
1. Dehydration due to underwatering
Underwatering an Alocasia will , in fourth dimension , result in ironical , crispy , brown leaves and receding soil . It is extremely of import to maintain a regular lacrimation docket to avoid such undue dryness .
Alocasia plants come from tropical areas and can not survive in extremely wry soil . They need to sit in slightly moist soil to keep their leaf healthy and attractive . If you discover your plant ’s leaves drooping and losing their structure , The first thing you should do is assess the grease ’s wet levels .
Most growers advocate the fingerbreadth method to determine the wet horizontal surface of the land . To do this , introduce your finger about two inches into the soil near the plant ’s stem . If the soil feel dry , it is probably prison term to water your Alocasia !
An even better way to obtain an accurate moisture substance reading is by using a soil moisture m like the one fromXLUX . It is an elegant option if you want to check the soil ’s wet content at root level without getting your hands dirty . This fashion , you could make an informed determination about when to water your plants .
2. Too much fertilizer
Fertilizing your Alocasia is cardinal to producing and maintaining stunning foliation . However , it can be quite well-heeled to overfertilize your industrial plant , especially if you are a novice gardener . Aside from the folio bakshish and inch turning brown , you will also note defoliation and pregnant base damage .
Too much plant food can make the soil toxic due to the accumulation of residuary salts . This buildup around the roots break up the absorption of water and nutrient , causing your Alocasia to front sick .
The best approach is to pop out off slowly when it comes to fertilizing , and supervise how your works react . It is also recommend that you fertilise your Alocasia only during its grow season , and never during its dormant full point .
If you mistrust your flora is overfertilized , do not lose heart ! depend on the severity of the impairment , you may still be able-bodied to bring through your plant by flushing the dirt with water . you’re able to do this once a month to hit the excess salt from the dirt .
3. Nutrient deficiency
While too much fertilizer can have damaging effects on your plant , the lack ( or absence seizure ) thereof can also lead to unsuitable effect .
Alocasias are gruelling feeders whose natural home ground is ample in of the essence nutrient . Unfortunately , growing them indoors will not offer them those nutrients by nature , and this deficiency of nutrition can cause their leaves to flex brown or yellow . For this reason , it is crucial to feed your works with a good - character fertiliser to see right ontogenesis and healthy leaves .
If your flora demo symptoms of nutrient inadequacy , you may handle it using a water - soluble fertiliser with a balanced nitrogen - phosphorus - K ( NPK ) ratio of 20 - 20 - 20 . Begin with a weak solution by dilute the liquid and feeding the plant once a calendar month . As your flora develop , step by step increase the strength and feed it up to twice a calendar month .
As mentioned before , do not fertilize your industrial plant during the cold calendar month , as this is when it is torpid and will not use as much nutrient . Thus , spare fertilizer can build up in the land and cause antecedent wrong . Fertilizer should only be used during springtime and summertime when Alocasias do the most growing .
4. Exposure to cold drafts
Alocasias are warmth - loving plant and can not permit insensate mood or frost . temperature below 45 degrees Fahrenheit can be too cold for these tropical plants , causing leaf problems like embrown or yellowing .
call up that bar is always better than cure , so make certain to protect your works from cold draft . During the winter season , keep it away from subject doors or window . If your plant succumbs to the utmost frigidity , regrettably the damage can be permanent and you may struggle to institute it back to liveliness .
5. Low humidity
Alocasias thrive in humidity of 50 to 60 percent in their natural habitat . These level can be dodgy to maintain in the average home , and if your industrial plant is not experience the veracious humidness , it will commence to display symptoms like flag and embrown leave . The ground for this is that the territory will dry out faster if the air is wry . The deficiency of moisture in the environment also increase plant transpiration and , hence , have the dry and crisp leave .
The good agency to maintain the appropriate humidity level for these plants is to endue in a humidifier . These machine often come with build - in humidness meters to insure that your sustenance arena has a comfortable climate for you and your houseplants .
6. Temperature stress
Alocasias by nature grow best in temperatures between 65 and 86 academic degree Fahrenheit . Temperatures below 50 stage can make them go dormant , while those above 90 degrees Fahrenheit can burn the foliage , causing the leaf to turn browned and crispy .
Unfortunately , changes in the conditions are beyond our control . But there are ways to protect your works from the stress do by uttermost temperature fluctuation .
First , ensure to keep your plant indoors during the cold season . Also avoid watering it in the eventide , since the temperature usually drop at night and you do not require the plant to have blind drunk foliage or too fuddled grime at this sentence . tearing in the morn is best ; this will also keep the root hydrate before the tyrannous heat of the solar day start .
you may also add mulch over the stain – its insulating effect will help protect the plant from varying conditions conditions . Every savvy gardener find mulch a plant - saver !
Lastly , keep your flora away from unfastened orbit where it can be exposed to extreme temperatures . Use course cover or tone cloths if you choose to plant your Alocasia outdoors . It is also urge to keep your plant somewhere with fond shade , so it can enjoy the morning or afternoon sunlight .
7. Lack of sunlight
You will sleep with fairly quickly if your Alocasia is not pick up enough sunlight , because its leaves will turn yellow or brownish .
A scant - deprived plant life will struggle to farm its own DOE to rise . Photosynthesis requires sunlight and is an important process for the yield of chlorophyll , the gullible paint unremarkably discover in flora . Hence , without sufficient sunlight , your Alocasia will not be capable to produce or keep its vibrant , arrow - form leaves . It will also develop subdued stalk that will make it appear droopy and sick .
But do not worry – you’re able to keep your plant . As shortly as you move it to an area that gets sufficient indirect sunlight , it should return to its normal , healthy show !
8. Pest infestation
Pests like mealybugs , aphids , spider mites , and weighing machine insects can cause great equipment casualty to your houseplants . These hemipteran snipe the stem and leave of absence by piercing them and sucking out the sap . This causes brown lesions on the damaged plant tissue paper .
The easiest fashion to get disembarrass of this pain is to use an insecticidal soap . Neem oil also work great if you want an constituent pesticide . lend oneself the solution weekly on the stirred plant until all the pests are break . you may also use a mixture of alcohol and urine to clean the leaves and bump off any crawling bugs you see .
9. Plant diseases
Infectious diseases because of bacterium , parasites , and fungi can also stimulate Alocasia leaves to plough browned . These pathogenic organisms can greatly compromise the health of your houseplants – if you do not interpose right away , you may shin to preserve your plant !
Depending on the type of disease , some of the symptoms you should ascertain out for are a sagging coming into court , soupy prow and roots , a distasteful olfactory perception coming from the waste etymon , white powdery substance on the leave , and splotchy or browned spots on the leave-taking that grow in size of it as the infection progresses .
If you suspect your plant is struggling with a disease , ensure to isolate it from the relief of your goodly plant immediately . Trim off any dying leaves , stems , or roots . count on the crusade , apply the appropriate solutions to aid keep your industrial plant , such as organic fungicides , broil soda pop diluted in water , or smooth soap .
10. Root rot due to overwatering
Overwatering is one of the lead causes of industrial plant destruction . Although your Alocasia needs water to remain hydrous , it does not like waterlogged grease . Excess piddle that pools at the bottom of the pot can rot the roots and receive morbific organisms that will exacerbate the problem .
What does an overwatered Alocasia expect like ?
Plants affected with antecedent rot will finally fall back their vigor and might show sign like browning leaves , wilting , and slow growth . If this goes on for extend periods , your Alocasia will begin lose its leave of absence and eventually die .
To preclude overwatering , make indisputable to water your plant only when the top layer of soil is dry . As mentioned before , you may test the land using your finger or a soil moisture investigation . Also make certain your grass has enough drain holes for extra water to flow out and prevent the dirt from becoming waterlogged .
11. Exposure to direct sunlight
The intense estrus from the sun is harmful to most plants – exposure to lineal sunshine can dry or incinerate the leaves . elephant ear plants that are exposed to full sunshine for extend periods will show scorched , browned leaves and a droopy appearance .
To avoid such picture , it is best to place your works near an east- or N - face window . Confederate States - facing windows are usually very hopeful throughout the day and can harm your plant . You could also employ curtains over the windowpane to diffuse the incoming sun and make it gentler on the leaves .
Conclusion
Alocasia leave wrick browned is a preindication of an fundamental effect such as out or keeping watering , incorrect use of fertilizer , too much or too short sun , temperature stress , pests , or plant diseases . To revive your works , it is important to understand the reasonableness behind the brown leaves so that you may apply the appropriate answer . Make certain to give your plant life all the fear it needs so that you’re able to bring it back to wellness and enjoy its hard , beautiful leaves for years to come .
Image : istockphoto.com / Ekaterina Petruhan
