Brown leaves can come from dryness, sun scorch, salt buildup, cold, root problems, or normal aging. Whether browning starts at tips, edges, or isolated patches helps narrow it down.
Dry tips often point to water stress or salts
Irregular watering, very dry air, or fertilizer salt buildup can dry tips and edges. Check moisture and avoid automatically adding more fertilizer.
Pale patches that turn brown can be scorch
A plant moved from shade into intense sun can scorch. Change exposure gradually and avoid stressing wet foliage under extreme conditions.
Soft dark tissue calls for checking roots and cold
Overwatering, root damage, or contact with a very cold window can produce dark, soft tissue. Fix the cause instead of only trimming the leaf.
Trim only dead tissue
Once the cause is corrected, you can trim fully dead tissue with clean tools. A leaf that is still mostly green does not necessarily need to be removed.
Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension — Watering houseplants — Watering, drainage, and water-stress signs in houseplants.