From my roots in the soil, I feel the imbalance of water most acutely. If my leaves are turning brown and crispy, starting at the edges and tips, it is often because I am not receiving enough water. My shallow root system needs consistent moisture, especially during the hot, dry spells of summer. Without a deep weekly drink, I cannot transport nutrients effectively, and my leaves begin to scorch. Conversely, if my leaves are turning brown and becoming soft or mushy, or if my entire plant is wilting despite wet soil, I am drowning. Soggy, waterlogged soil suffocates my roots, preventing them from absorbing water and causing them to rot. This root rot is a silent killer, and the browning leaves are my desperate cry for help.
Two common fungal adversaries are often to blame for my distress. The first is Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold). This fungus loves cool, wet, and humid conditions. It appears as brown spots or patches on my leaves, buds, and stems, often accompanied by a fuzzy gray mold. It causes buds to blacken and fail to open. The second is Leaf Blotch (Measles). This disease presents as glossy, dark purple to brown irregular spots on my leaves. As it progresses, the centers of the spots may turn tan. These fungi overwinter in my plant debris and in the soil, waiting for the right damp conditions to attack my new foliage in spring.
My vibrant green foliage is a sign of successful photosynthesis, which relies on a delicate balance of soil nutrients. A lack of essential elements can cause my leaves to turn brown or yellow. However, more is not always better. An excess of fertilizer, particularly chemical fertilizers, can cause "fertilizer burn." This presents as browning, scorched leaf margins and tips because the high salt concentration in the soil actually draws water out of my roots, effectively causing drought stress from a chemical overdose. I thrive in rich, well-draining soil that is fed with balanced, slow-release organic matter.
While I adore the sun, intense afternoon heat can sometimes be too much for my broad leaves. If I am planted in a location where I receive strong, direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, especially when coupled with dry soil or reflective heat from a wall or pavement, my leaves can suffer from sun scorch. This results in brown, bleached-looking patches between the leaf veins. Furthermore, strong winds can physically damage my foliage and accelerate moisture loss from my leaves (transpiration), leading to browning and desiccation even if my roots are adequately watered.
It is also important to recognize that some lower leaf browning is a natural part of my growth cycle, especially as the season progresses towards late summer and fall. However, if I am an older, well-established plant, I may have become too crowded. Over many years, my dense root system can deplete the surrounding soil of nutrients and moisture more quickly. This can lead to increased stress and browning leaves simply because there are not enough resources to support my entire massive frame. A careful division of my roots in the fall can rejuvenate me for many more seasons of beautiful growth.
