My Spider Plant Leaves Are Brown

Healthy spider plants have long leaves with green tips.

Healthy spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) have long, arching leaves up to 18 inches long. They also produce elegant flower stems with daughter plants or spiderettes at their tips. Spider plants can be plain green but normally have variegated leaves with green and white stripes. Spider plants tolerate adverse conditions and they are easy to grow in the home. If your spider plant develops brown leaves it is in need of immediate attention.

Lack of Water

Brown leaves on a spider plant indicate the plant needs more water. Check the soil. Water with room-temperature water if it is dry, giving enough water to evenly soak the soil. Water more frequently during the warmer months of the year when your plant is growing.

Too Much Water

Remove water standing in the drain dish. Too much water causes its fleshy roots to rot, and kills the leaves. Always allow excess water to drain away after watering. Reduce watering during the winter months while the plant is dormant or growing slowly.

Temperature

Spider plants go dormant at temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and suffer leaf damage below 35 degrees F. While they survive light frosts, spider plants exposed to prolonged cold temperatures develop brown leaves. Check to see if your plant is in a draft or is too close to a chilled window. Move the spider plant to a warm, indoor location during the winter.

Fluoride Poisoning

Spider plants with brown or reddish leaf tips may be reacting to fluoride or boron ions in their irrigation water. If you live in an area with fluoride in the water supply, water your plants with bottled water or rainwater. Avoid potting composts containing vermiculite as this can contain fluoride. Trim off the brown ends with scissors to help healthy leaves emerge.

Other Causes

Leaves in contact with windows get scorched by hot sun or winter cold. Leaf-shine products cause spider plant leaves to turn brown and die. Over-fertilization causes brown leaf tips in spider plants due to a buildup of salts in the soil. Flush out your plants soil every month with abundant water. Heavy insect infestations cause spider plant leaves to brown and die. Spider mites also cause leaf loss in spider plants. Treat insects such as mealy bugs and scale insects by dabbing them with a paintbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol. Eliminate spider mites by misting daily or with a miticide spray based on insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.

References

• University of Florida; Chlorophytum Comosum; Edward F. Gilman; October 1999
• University of Florida; Spider Plant Production Guide; R.T. Poole, A.R. Chase & L.S. Osborne
• University of Arkansas; Spider Plant, Airplane Plant; Gerald Klingaman; February 2002
• Floridata; Chlorophytum Comosum; Steve Christman; January 2004
• North Dakota State University; Questions on Spider Plants; Ron Smith
• Bachman's: Spider Plants