Photo by Léon & George

Is your plant showing some yellowing and/or browning on its leaves or tips? Plants are living things just like us, and far from perfect! Before you begin to worry if something may be wrong, read on for reasons why your plant might be doing this, and what can be done about it.

Why do plants get yellow-brown leaves?

As plants age, it’s natural for them to have occasional yellow-brown leaves or tips. While sad-looking leaves can sometimes mean there’s something off with its care, it doesn’t always mean the plant is in distress. Here are a few reasons why your plant might be showing yellow or brown leaves or tips:

• It’s just that leaf’s time to go. If you see just one or two leaves that are yellow and brown, but the rest of the plant looks perfectly healthy— rest assured that absolutely nothing is wrong! It’s just the end of that leaf’s life cycle.

• Overwatering or underwatering. If you see multiple brown or yellow leaves or a pattern, it’s possible your watering routine needs some tweaking. Make sure to read the instructions carefully for your plant (all Léon & George plants come with simple instructions) and water accordingly.

• More or less light is needed. Brown or yellow leaves could also mean that your plant needs more or less light. This can often go hand in hand with watering, and striking the right balance for your specific plant is an art that we are certain you will master, even if it takes a little trial and error. Remember that plants are resilient, so don’t be afraid to try out new things!

• Nutrient deficiency or overdose. If it’s been a long time since you repotted or fertilized your plant, it’s possible that it’s time to give your plant a little bit of extra nutrients either by repotting or feeding it natural plant food. As for an overdose, fertilizing your plants too much can lead to fertilizer burn either on your plants leaves or tips.

What to do about yellow-brown leaves

Here are some ways you can improve the appearance of your plant. Note that it doesn’t always mean cutting the leaf off entirely!

Shape: maintain the ideal size and shape for your space by trimming off unruly stems and yellow-brown leaves. Cut close to the base of the stem, or remove completely if possible. Maintaining a lean and balanced structure also prevents future tilting.

Shave: Shave off imperfect edges and re-shape the tips to match the other leaves. Make sure to leave a sliver of brown just before the green. Plants don’t like to be nicked while shaving and cutting into a healthy part of the leaf can create an open wound.

Shed: like any diet, it’s important not to go overboard. When pruning your plants, be careful not to shed more than ¼ of its foliage at any given time. Over pruning can be detrimental to future growth.

*Pro-tip* While pruning off yellow and brown leaves can make your plant simply look nicer, it’s also beneficial for their health: well-kept and well-pruned plants attract less pests, and also have more energy to spend on their new growth.

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If your plant is exhibiting foliage issues like yellowing, browning or dry leaves that no longer appear viable, don’t panic! This is nature at work: as plants age, some of their leaves will lose liveliness and strength. New leaves will grow to replace them, and they’ll grow even quicker with a little help. Pruning off old foliage signals to your plant that it can direct its energy toward pushing out new growth. So don’t be afraid to give your plant a snip — follow the steps here, and prune with confidence.

Shape It Up

Your plant is like a living sculpture: you can maintain the ideal shape and size for your space by pruning off unruly stems and leaves. Simply cut close to the base of the stem or tug on the root and see if you can pull it out completely. Maintaining a balanced structure has the additional benefit of preventing tilting and sagging.

Clean Up The Edges 

Every plant can use a manicure from time to time. With sharp scissors, you can trim off imperfect or discolored leaf edges and re-shape your plant’s edges for uniform foliage. Unless you’re aiming for a complete reshape of the leaf, be sure to leave the slightest sliver of brown, right before the green. Cutting into a healthy part of the leaf will create fresh wounds that will need to dry out and heal.

A Light Touch 

Plan on pruning no more than 25% of the plant’s overall foliage at any one time. This ensures that your plant doesn’t go into shock and allows you to take time to consider the overall desired shape.

Take a Step Back

Once you’ve finished your first round of pruning, take a step back and look at the plant from a distance. If any leaves you’re considering pruning contribute nicely to the overall shape, leave them on. Pruning is essentially an art (think bonsai and ikebana) and it allows you to take the reins in determining how you would like your plant to look. Assess the plant regularly throughout your pruning routine to ensure that it’s headed in the direction that is beautiful to you. 

Last but not least, a *pro tip*: scared of pests? Keep your plant well-pruned! Pests are significantly less likely to make your plant their new home if it has well-maintained foliage. (Think of it like this: fewer branches to hang their hammocks from!) 

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