In general, the Dieffenbachia is one of the extremely robust houseplants that can withstand minor care mistakes and still thrive. Sometimes, however, very unsightly brown leaf spots appear. These can have two causes, which we would like to go into a little more closely here.
Brown spots can be a reaction to too much sun
Excessive sun exposure
The Dieffenbachia grows wild in the extensive rainforests of Central and South America, where it is shaded by the jungle giants. Accordingly, it prefers a bright, warm location. She doesn't like blazing sun at all. If the Dieffenbachia is in a south-facing window where it is exposed to strong UV light for several hours, the leaves will develop brown spots.
Place the Dieffenbachia in a sunny place or provide shade. Unfortunately, the leaf spots (sunburn) do not disappear as a result. Wait for fresh foliage to grow back and then cut out the unsightly leaves.
leaf spot disease
This disease caused by a fungus is not only relatively common in Dieffenbachia. Unfortunately, the high humidity preferred by the Dieffenbachia also promotes infestation. You can recognize leaf spot disease by the following leaf changes:
- Brownish, later blackish spots on the foliage.
- The leaf tissue feels paper-thin and may fall out.
- The edge of the leaf can also turn brown.
Since leaf spot disease spreads very quickly, rapid action is required.
- Isolate Dieffenbachia to avoid infecting other plants.
- Treat with a suitable fungicide.
- Dispose of fallen leaves immediately in the household waste, as they would reinfect the healthy parts of the plant.
Late blight and late blight
These fungal diseases primarily affect tomato and potato plants. However, indoor plants are not immune to them either, as they can infect any cellulosic material and even deadwood. You can recognize them by the following characteristics:
- Enlarging brown leaf spots.
- Greasy fungal growth on leaves and stems.
Cut out the affected parts of the plant immediately so that the disease cannot spread and dispose of them with household waste.
tips
Brown leaf tips are a sign of a lack of water and/or low humidity. In this case, check your watering behavior and spray the plant once a day with low-lime water. An indoor fountain or evaporator trays also ensure an ideal room climate.