From my perspective, the reddening of my leaves is often a perfectly normal and healthy response. I am producing pigments called anthocyanins, which act as a natural sunscreen. When I am exposed to intense, direct sunlight, especially if the temperatures are cool, these red pigments help protect my chlorophyll (the green stuff I use for photosynthesis) from getting damaged. Think of it as me putting on a pair of sunglasses. It is my way of adapting to a bright environment. However, if the reddening is combined with leaves that feel crispy or look scorched, the light might be too intense for me, and I am getting a sunburn.
My relationship with water is a delicate one, and my leaves are the first to show distress when this balance is off. If my leaves are turning brown, crispy, and dry, starting at the edges, I am desperately telling you that I am thirsty. My roots have no access to water, and I cannot transport essential nutrients throughout my system. Conversely, if the browning is more widespread and the leaves feel soft and mushy, or even fall off at a slight touch, you are giving me too much love in the form of water. Soggy, waterlogged soil suffocates my roots, preventing them from breathing and causing them to rot. This root rot means I cannot take up water or nutrients at all, leading to a paradoxical situation where I am drowning in water while dying of thirst.
The soil is my kitchen, and I need a balanced diet to keep my leaves a vibrant green. A common issue I face is a lack of phosphorus. When phosphorus is scarce, I cannot produce the energy I need to grow properly, and one of the first signs is my older leaves turning a reddish-purple hue. While I do not need to be fed constantly, a regular supply of a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer formulated for flowering plants like me provides the essential nutrients I crave to stay green and produce those beautiful blooms you love.
Sometimes, the discoloration of my leaves is a distress signal against an invasion. Tiny pests like spider mites suck the sap directly from my cells, leaving behind a stippled pattern of yellow, red, or brown spots where they have fed. Fungal and bacterial diseases can also be the culprit. They might appear as irregular brown spots with yellow halos or cause large sections of my leaves to wilt and turn brown. This is a serious call for help, as these issues can quickly spread from one leaf to my entire being if not addressed.
Finally, consider my home. If I have been growing in the same pot for a long time, my roots may have exhausted the available nutrients and filled every inch of space. When I become pot-bound, I am stressed and cannot access what I need, which can manifest in leaf reddening or browning. Furthermore, as a living organism, I am attuned to the seasons. It is natural for my older leaves, especially those lower down, to eventually turn yellow or brown and die off as part of my life cycle, making room for new growth.
