Spider plant (also scientifically known as Chlorophytum comosum) is among the most popular houseplants. Though spotted in Africa first, this plant is now being planted all over the world for decorative and other beneficial purposes.
Adding a spider plant to your house offers several benefits. It can be a vibrant and beautiful addition to your home, and like many indoor plants, the spider plant helps remove airborne pollutants from the air, according to the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
However, like other varieties of plants, spider plants are also susceptible to diseases. One common disease found in this plant is the browning of its leaves or leaf tips. And most people wonder: why are the tips of my spider plant turning brown?
For the healthy growth of your spider plant, diagnosing the reasons for the brownish of their leaves can help you prevent any damage to your garden.
In this guide, we will break down what may cause the brownish leaf tips of the spider. Also, we’ll discuss the treatment for such diseases.
See also: 5 Most Common Spider Plant Diseases You Need To Look Out For!
Spider Plant Characteristics
Before discussing common spider plants’ issues, let’s explore all the characteristics of a spider plant. The table below shows the spider plants’ common characteristics.
| Genus name | Chlorophytum comosum |
| Common Names | – Ribbon plant – Spider plant – Spider ivy |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Plant Type | – Herbaceous Perennial – Perennial – Houseplant |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Height | 1 ft. 0 inch to 1 ft. 6 inches (30.48 to 45.72 cm) |
| Width | 1 ft. 0 inch. – 2 ft. 0 inch. (30.48 to 60.96 cm) |
| Maintenance requirements | Medium |
| Flower color | – Gold – Yellow – White |
| Temperature requirements | Spider plants are great indoor plants; they thrive in temperatures between 55°F to 80°F. |
| Light requirements | – Spider plants require dappled sunlight. – Partial sunlight exposure (no direct sunlight required – Deep shade (spider plants require less than 2 hours) |
| Soil Drainage | – Adequately drained soil and loamy – Moist |
| pH requirements | 6.0 to 8.0 |
| Grow well in | – Walkways – Container – Houseplants – Hanging Baskets |
| Spider Plant Bloom Time | – Fall – Summer – Winter – Spring |
| Recommended Propagation Method | Division |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone | 9 to 11 |
| Region Of Origin | Western Africa and Southern Africa |
Common Spider Plant Problems
Here are some reasons that may cause the brownish leaf tips of spider plants.
1- Poor Watering
One of the major issues that cause many stresses to the spider plant is poor watering. Not only does over-watering causes this problem, watering less than the plant’s need may also contribute.
When you overwater your spider plants, this results in root rotting. Root rotting further causes different issues. One common effect of this disease is the poor flow of nutrients to the rest of the plant’s parts. This will eventually lead to the browning leaf tips.
Underwatering, in the same way, also results in different issues for the plants. This will cause the dryness of the plant. This reason will gradually turn the leaves of the spider plant brown.
2- High Fluoride Level
Another element that contributes a lot to the browning of the spider plant’s leaves is excessive fluoride in the soil. When you water your plant with water-rich in fluoride, it will gradually become toxic for the plants. This toxicity of the fluoride will disturb the overall health of the plant.
The most obvious effect of this exceeding limit of fluoride will be on the plant’s natural photosynthetic process. Also, this may affect some of the tissues. This will cause the browning or yellowish of the plant leaves.
3- Overuse Of Fertilizers
Proper use of fertilizers results in the healthy growth of plants. However, its overuse will make the plants suffer a lot. Overuse of different fertilizers results in a high quantity of different salts. This high quantity of salt will cause toxicity in the plants.
The major effect of the toxicity resulting from the exceeding quantity of salt is on the plant’s roots. Typically, overuse of fertilizers is another reason for the browning leaf tips of the spider plant.
See also: 6 Best Indoor Plants that Help Clean the Air and Effectively Remove Toxins.
4- Excessive Exposure to the Sunlight
Spider plants can’t survive too much exposure to sunlight. Rather they need partial sunny and partial shady places for their proper growth.
If your plants are exposed to severe sunlight, it will cause drying of the soil containing the plants. This will lead to many issues, browning of leaf tips is one of them.
5- Lack of Moisture
Spider plants grow well in moist soil and humid air. When you put them in the sunlight and the soil dries out, they will start decaying.
This will result in the drying of the leaves which may result in brown tips.
6- Bacterial Diseases
Some bacterial diseases attack the leaf tips of spider plants. These diseases may cause black or brown spots on the leaves.
This is a dangerous situation that may also affect the other plants in the garden too.
See also: 9 Best Indoor Succulents That Thrive In Dark Room.
How to Prevent Browning Leaf Tips of Spider Plants?
Each plant disease has some sure or prevention method that can restore its health. Here are some preventive measurements that can prevent your spider plant’s leaves from turning brown.
1- Proper Watering
As over-watering and under-watering result in the brown leaf tips of the spider plants. Proper irrigation of these plants can prevent many such issues. If you mistakenly overwatered your plants which results in rot rotting, try to dry the soil and remove the infected plant part.
On the other hand, if your plant is suffering from a lack of water, water it properly and keep checking the moisture of the soil. This will prevent the browning of the leaf tips.
- This plant is susceptible to fluoridated water; ensure you don’t water your plants with water is treated with fluoride.
- Water them with rainwater or distilled water for your spider plants’ health.
- When watering your spider plant, remember to allow the upper inch of soil to dry out briefly between waterings.
See also: How Often Should You Water Your Terrarium? (This Often!)
2- Maintain the Fluoride Level
If you notice that your plant is suffering from the drying or browning of the leaves, try to maintain the fluoride quantity in the water.
The fluoride level can be lowered by flushing the plant soil with distilled water.
3- Avoid Overuse of Fertilizers
To maintain the salt quantity in the soil, try to maintain the nutrients level in the form of fertilizer.
To eliminate the excessive salt, flush the plant soil with fresh water. You can also change the soil in case of any serious damage.
4- Lower the Sun Exposure
If your spider plants are located in intensive sunlight, put them in proper light so that you can avoid the browning of their leaf tips.
5- Manage Proper Humidity
Low humidity is also a cause of the brown leaf tips. If you notice this reason behind the browning of the leaves, maintain the humidity in the air by placing the plants indoors or in other garden plants.
6- Eliminate the Plants Infected with the Bacterial Diseases
When your plants are exposed to bacterial diseases, there is hardly any way to restore them. In this situation, you’ll have to remove the infected plants and bury them under the soil to prevent the other plants from disease.
How Often Do You Water a Spider Plant?
In normal weather conditions, water your spider plants once or maximum twice a week. Check out the soil before watering:
- If it is dry 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the top, it is time to water.
- If the soil is still moist, wait another day and check again until it is dry.
See also: How Long Can Succulents Live Without Water? (Let’s find out!)
Wrapping Up
Spider plants are among the most beautiful plants to use not only for decorative purposes but also other benefits. However, these sensitive plants may be exposed to any issue.
Sometimes, the leaf tips of these plants may start turning brown. If you notice any such issue, diagnose the reason and take the preventive steps accordingly.
