Lucky bamboo is one of the most popular houseplants thanks to its resilient nature and minimal care requirements. However even this hardy plant can develop issues like brown leaves. If you’ve noticed the tips or edges of your lucky bamboo leaves turning brown, don’t panic. This article will cover the most common reasons for brown leaves on lucky bamboo and provide tips to resolve the problem.
What Causes Brown Leaves on Lucky Bamboo?
Here are the 5 most frequent causes of lucky bamboo leaves turning brown:
1. Tap Water
The number one reason lucky bamboo leaves turn brown is chemicals in tap water. Chlorine and fluoride are commonly added to public water supplies, and these chemicals can build up in the soil over time. This damages the root system and eventually causes the leaf tips to brown.
2. Insufficient Light
Lucky bamboo thrives in bright, indirect light. Without enough light, the leaves struggle to produce chlorophyll and will start to turn brown. Placing the plant near a sunny window should help prevent this issue.
3. Temperature Extremes
Lucky bamboo prefers consistent temperatures between 65-90°F. Exposure to very cold or very hot conditions can stress the plant resulting in brown leaves. Keep your plant away from drafty windows AC vents, and other sources of temperature fluctuations.
4. Overfertilization
While fertilizer is important, too much of it can damage lucky bamboo’s roots and cause leaf tips to brown. Use fertilizer at half strength and only every 2-3 weeks.
5. Pests
Spider mites, scale, and mealybugs are common lucky bamboo pests. They feed on the plant’s juices, causing the leaves to brown and wilt. Check for tiny insects on the stems and undersides of leaves if brown spots appear.
What to Do About Brown Leaves on Lucky Bamboo
If your lucky bamboo plant has brown leaves, take these steps to get it healthy again:
-
Cut off any severely damaged leaves or tips using clean scissors Avoid removing more than 1/3 of the plant at once.
-
Switch to using filtered, distilled, or rain water instead of tap water. This prevents further salt and chemical buildup.
-
Move the plant to a bright, indirect light source like an east or west facing window. Supplement with a grow light if needed.
-
Keep the plant between 65-90°F and avoid drafty areas.
-
Flush the soil by thoroughly watering to remove excess fertilizer salts.
-
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-3 weeks.
-
Inspect closely for signs of pests like webs or tiny insects. Use insecticidal soap if they are found.
-
Consider repotting in fresh soil every 2 years to refresh nutrients.
With a little detective work and some TLC, you should see your lucky bamboo perk up and its leaves return to a healthy green. But prevention is also key to keep those leaves vibrant.
How to Prevent Brown Leaves on Lucky Bamboo
Here are 6 tips to stop lucky bamboo leaves from browning in the first place:
1. Filter the Water
Using distilled, filtered, or rain water is the best way to prevent brown leaf tips. This removes chemicals and salts that damage lucky bamboo’s sensitive roots.
2. Provide Bright, Indirect Light
Lucky bamboo needs plenty of light to thrive. Keep it in an east or west facing window or use a grow light to supplement natural sunlight.
3. Maintain Ideal Temperatures
Keep your plant between 65-90°F. Avoid drafty windows, excessive heat, and AC vents blowing directly on it.
4. Use a Well-Draining Soil Mix
A quality potting mix that drains well prevents waterlogging. Add perlite to improve drainage.
5. Fertilize Sparingly
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-3 weeks. Overfertilizing can burn the tips.
6. Inspect Frequently For Pests
Check often for tiny insects like spider mites that can infest the plant and cause leaf damage.
By providing ideal growing conditions and proper care, you can have a gorgeous, green lucky bamboo plant that thrives indoors. Check those leaves often and address any browning promptly. With a little TLC, your lucky bamboo will continue gracing your home with good fortune for years to come.
Water Quality Issues
Tap water with chlorine and fluoride can be bad for Lucky Bamboo. It can get chemical burns that show up as brown spots. These spots are a telltale sign that your plant is not happy with its hydration source.
Managing Humidity Levels
Lucky Bamboo hails from the tropics, so its partial to a humid environment. Dry air can lead to dehydration, manifesting as brown spots on the leaves.
- A humidity tray full of water and pebbles can help raise the humidity around your plant.
- Mist the leaves often, but don’t do it too much, because wet leaves can let unwanted fungi in.
Lucky bamboo leaf tips turning brown | Unhealthy Lucky Bamboo
FAQ
Should I cut brown leaves off lucky bamboo?
What does an overwatered lucky bamboo look like?
How often should I water lucky bamboo?
Why do lucky bamboo leaf tips turn brown?
The reason for lucky bamboo leaf tips turning brown is usually because of the chemicals chlorine and fluoride in tap water or due to too much fertilizer. Lucky bamboo is very sensitive to chemicals in tap water and should be watered with rainwater to avoid the leaf tips turning brown.
Do lucky bamboo leaves fall off?
Since your lucky bamboo has a natural life cycle, its leaves are more likely to die and fall off as a result. In the same way as other dracaena plants, older lucky bamboo leaves first turn a pale yellow, then turn brown from the tips down, and eventually fall off. After about two years, this usually occurs.
How to fix brown bamboo leaves?
So, when you don’t do proper gardening, plants like lucky bamboo will stay weak and show browning signs. To fix brown bamboo leaves, it’s essential to water correctly, avoid using impure water, and ensure a healthy soil mix. Positioning the plant in suitable light and managing temperature fluctuations is also recommended.
Does lucky bamboo eat water?
Lucky bamboo appreciates water, but not all types of water. Fluoride, chlorine, and other tap water chemicals are toxic to all dracaena plants. These chemicals are phytotoxic to lucky bamboos, which means they kill leaf tissue, causing the leaves to brown and eventually killing your plant.
Why is my lucky bamboo dying?
Solve the issue as quickly as possible, whether it’s low humidity, poor lighting, sunburn, fertilizer burn, or excessive levels of harsh chemicals in the water. But if the stems of the lucky bamboo are brown or yellow, they’re a goner. Despite your best efforts, it is likely to succumb to death.
Why does lucky bamboo turn yellow?
The most common reason lucky bamboo turns yellow is too much direct sun, which can scorch the leaves and stalks yellow. Lucky bamboo is sensitive to too much light and needs to grow in bright, indirect light rather than full sun to avoid turning yellow.