QUESTION:
Can you tell me why my philodendron selloum has brown leaves and how I can stop it from happening.
ANSWER:
Hi DonnaRae,
Your philodendron selloum has brown leaves due to a condition called Leaf Scorch. Since I’m not sure of how you are caring for your philodendron selloum, I’m going to talk about all of things that may cause Leaf Scorch and what to do to prevent it from happening. The good news is that you can prevent it from happening again.
Uneven Watering and drought stress: If you allow the soil to be very wet and then very, very dry or if you just constantly allow the soil to become too dry, leaf stress occurs and a philodendron selloum has brown leaves. Unlike other philodendrons, the selloum likes moist but not soggy soil all of the time. During the winter, water less often, keeping the soil barely moist.
Salt damage due to over fertilization or using water that has passed through a water softener. Feed a Philodendron selloum monthly during the spring, summer, and fall with a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the recommended strength. Too much plant food causes excess salt build up in the soil and the a Philodendron Selloum has . Never water your plants with water that has passed through a water softener; it is much to salty and causes leaf damage.
Cold draft
During the summer, keep the plant away from air conditioners. During the winter, keep a philodendron selloum away from cold drafts.
Too Much Light
A philodendron selloum grows well in bright, indirect light. In lower light the leaves become a darker green. Too much light or any direct sun burns the leaves or causes the deep green color to fade.