Healthy indoor plants make us smile when we look at them. I am obsessed with my indoor plants, but due to my busy schedule, it's not always possible for me to look after them.
Due to a bit of negligence, I ended up with brown leaves on my corn plant.
In this article, I will tell you why corn plant leaves are turning brown and how to cure them.
Here I am talking about the corn plant (house plant), not the edible corn.
You just need to avoid a few mistakes that I made in my early days of gardening.
Note: Every plant has its own ideal growing conditions. If the conditions are not met, the plant will show some kind of responsive behaviour depending upon the stress it's getting. Browning the leaves is one of these responses.
Before you start complaining about the brown leaves of corn plant, check its ideal conditions first:
| Condition | Indoor | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light. | Partial shade or filtered sun. |
| Temperature | 65–80°F (18–27°C) | 65–90°F (18–32°C) |
| Humidity | 40–60% or higher. | Moderate to high. |
| Watering | Water when top soil is dry. | Let soil partly dry first. |
| Soil | Well-draining potting mix. | Rich, well-draining soil. |
| Fertilizer | Monthly in spring and summer. | Every 2–3 months. |
| Water Quality | Filtered or rainwater. | Rainwater is best. |
| Air Flow | Keep away from vents. | Protect from strong winds. |
Why are my corn plant leaves turning brown?
There are three major types of corn plants:
- Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana'
- Dracaena fragrans 'Compacta'
- Dracaena fragrans 'Warneckii'
Why am I saying all these?
My pictures might not match your corn plant's variety, but don't worry, the causes and treatments remain the same.
Corn plant leaves are turning brown due to heat and direct sunlight
As I said earlier, the corn plant needs indirect or filtered sunlight. I saw this plant outside a cafeteria, and it was getting direct sunlight.
The result is in front of you.
No matter which variety it is. They don't like to be placed under direct sunlight.
Place under a porch where it will get bright indirect sunlight, or plant under trees so that it can get filtered or dappled sunlight.
If you are confused about the sunlight requirements for each plant, you can check my chart: sunlight requirement chart for plants and trees
Corn plant leaf tips are turning brown due to a watering issue
This corn plant is underwatered. I was away for 15 days, and when I returned, the leaf tips were already brown.
I suggest getting a bigger pot that can hold moisture for a longer time. Do not go for an extra-large pot, as it can cause root rot if there's an issue with the pot's drainage system.
So choosing the right pot size is really important. You can check this chart: pot size charts for plants.
Too small pots can cause root bound, and that will lead to the browning of the leaves gradually.
Due to overwatering, your corn plant shows brown spots in the middle of the leaves. (Not only on the edges or tips)
You can easily identify this by the yellow outlines of the brown spots or patches.
Corn plants love higher humidity, and in winter, the tips may turn brown, and this is normal.
Once winter is over, the plant gonna be fine.
You can also use a humidifier in winter.
