To look jewellery, easy to care for and extremely robust: the single leaf (Spathiphyllum) is one of the most popular houseplants for a reason. The striking plant with its large, green leaves and striking white bracts is at home in the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, where it thrives in the light shade of the jungle giants. in home care, the single leaf forgives some mistakes, but sometimes it also reacts with diseases or a pest infestation.
The single leaf very rarely gets sick
Brown leaves have different causes
Quite often the single leaf reacts to serious care mistakes with a brown discoloration of the leaves. Depending on how this coloring manifests itself, there is another cause behind it.
Brown leaf tips
For example, if only the tips of the leaves turn brown, the air is simply too dry. Spathiphyllum is a rainforest plant and as such is used to humidity levels between 70 and 100 percent. We will not usually reach these values in our apartment, but the plant needs more moisture. So you can do something good for your single leaf by spraying it from time to time with warm rainwater or stagnant tap water. However, you should avoid the flowers, as they can otherwise turn an unattractive brown color.
brown leaves
Completely brown, withering leaves can have two causes: either the plant dries up due to a lack of water or it dies of thirst because its roots rot due to persistent waterlogging. A lack of water can be quickly remedied by watering the plant deeply. Root rot, on the other hand, requires immediate repotting and pruning of the damaged parts. Brown spots or spots on the leaves are a clear sign that you have over-fertilized your one-leaf. In this case, too, the plant should be transferred to fresh substrate and fertilized less in the future.
Yellow spots or spots
An infestation with spider mites often occurs, especially in warm and dry room air. These tiny, sap-sucking creatures are difficult to see with the naked eye, which is why an infestation is often only detected when it is already well advanced. One sign of a spider mite infestation is yellow spots or dots on the leaves. You can prevent these pests by ensuring high humidity.
leaf spot disease
Mostly dark brown, ring-shaped spots with a light edge and withering lower leaves are an indication of the so-called leaf spot disease. In this case, the only thing that helps is to remove the affected leaves; in the case of a severe infestation, the whole plant must even be disposed of.
tips
Check the substrate regularly for mold growth and replace it if necessary.