Top 3 reasons plant leaves turn yellow or brown?
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The top 3 reasons plant leaves turn yellow or brown are improper watering, both over and under-watering, leading to root stress or rot, nutrient deficiencies or imbalances, starving the plant of vital minerals and inadequate or incorrect lighting, causing scorching or lack of energy for photosynthesis. Other factors like pests, temperature changes, or poor drainage can also cause these symptoms, but water, light, and food are primary concerns.
Watering Issues
Overwatering is the most common culprit, leading to soggy soil, root suffocation, and root rot, which prevents nutrient/water uptake, causing yellow, wilting leaves. On the other hand, underwatering causes crispy, dry, brown leaf edges and wilting as the plant sacrifices leaves to conserve moisture.
Nutrient Deficiency
A lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen, iron, or magnesium can cause yellowing (chlorosis), often starting on older leaves (nitrogen) or new growth (iron).
Light Problems
Too little light prevents sufficient photosynthesis, leading to pale yellow leaves, weak growth, and droopy foliage. Too much light, like direct sunlight, can scorch leaves, causing dry, brown spots or bleached areas.
Other common causes can include pests, temperture stress and poor drainage.
