Why Are My African Violet Leaves Turning Brown? 5 Common Causes and Fixes

African violets are one of the most popular houseplants prized for their colorful flowers and velvety leaves. However, if the leaves start turning brown it’s a sign that something is wrong.

Here are the 5 most common causes of brown leaves on African violets and what you can do to revive your plant:

1. Underwatering

If the lower leaves on your African violet start turning yellow or brown and feel dry and crisp to the touch, it’s likely suffering from underwatering. African violets need consistently moist soil, but not soggy.

Fix: Give your plant a good, thorough soaking and make sure excess water drains out the bottom of the pot. Going forward, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and make sure the pot has drainage holes on the bottom.

2. Overwatering

Too much water can be just as damaging as too little. If the lower leaves are turning brown or black and feel mushy or translucent, root rot due to overwatering is likely to blame. Overwatering suffocates the roots and encourages fungal infections.

Fix Stop watering and allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again Remove any mushy or rotten roots and repot in fresh, sterile potting mix if necessary Make sure the pot has drainage.

3. Low Humidity

African violets prefer 40-50% humidity, higher than most homes provide. Low humidity can cause brown leaf tips or edges as the plant loses moisture faster than it can take it up.

Fix: Use a pebble tray, humidifier, or place the pot on a tray of wet pebbles to increase humidity around your plant. Mist the leaves daily. Move the plant away from heating/AC vents.

4. Drafts

Exposure to cold drafts from windows, doors, or air conditioning vents can shock African violets and cause brown scorched spots on the leaves.

Fix Move your African violet away from drafty areas to a spot with more stable temperatures around 70°F Insulate windows and doors and redirect air flow from vents if needed,

5. Sunburn

Too much direct sun can burn the leaves of your African violet, first causing brown spots which later turn crispy. African violets do best in bright, indirect light.

Fix: Move your plant out of direct sunlight into a north or east facing window where it will get plenty of gentle morning or late afternoon light. You can also add a sheer curtain to filter harsh sunlight.

How to Prevent Brown Leaves on African Violets

Here are some general care tips to keep your African violet healthy and prevent future issues with browning leaves:

• Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Discard excess water in saucer.

• Use room temperature filtered or distilled water. Tap water may have too much fluoride/chlorine.

• Keep humidity around 40-50% with a humidifier or pebble tray.

• Avoid cold drafts and direct hot sunlight. East or north facing windows are best.

• Use a well-draining potting mix made for African violets. Repot every 1-2 years.

• Fertilize lightly every 2-4 weeks in the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

• Keep daytime temperatures around 70°F and above 60°F at night.

• Remove spent blooms and brown leaves promptly to encourage new growth.

• Inspect new plants closely and quarantine if you see pests like mites, aphids, or mealybugs.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve made the suggested fixes but your African violet continues to decline with spreading brown leaves, it may have an incurable bacterial or fungal disease. Contact your local greenhouse or extension office to have a plant expert properly identify and treat any pathogens.

Catching browning leaves early and making the right adjustments to care is key to getting your African violet back to good health. With a little TLC, this finicky but rewarding houseplant will be flowering again in no time!