Why Are My Mint Leaves Turning Brown? grows tenaciously, but even this tough plant, which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, isn't immune to problems. Salts are minerals that may be present in the soil after fertilization or use of tap water. At times, the roots may tangle, create knots, or tightly crossed patterns. I saw that "rust" fungus is a common issue on mint plants, but mine does not appear to have any rust spots. Mint does not tolerate salt and shows its discomfort by turning the tips of leaves brown and crispy. You may notice a drooping, brown mess on the edges of the leaves. They can be varying colors depending on the plant and can cause necrosis or stunted growth. Your mint may minimize itself to stay alive with the nutrients that are available to it. Give your mint plenty of room to grow and flourish by doubling the pot size from before. However, if your mint leaves have turned brown while still on the stem due to a possible fungus, then they are not safe to eat until you are able to cure your mint plant and restore the natural green color. However, if you place mint leaves in cold water, they will not turn brown and can be stored for a long period of time for future use. The fungus causes dusty orange, yellow and black spots on leaves, and distortion of shoots. To treat a thrips infestation, avoid planting your mint next to plants such as onions that often attract thrips. It does not occur in strongly acid soils with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. I started Garden For Indoor to make your indoor gardening journey easy and enjoyable. If the leaves of your Elephant Ear plants are curling, there are several reasons. However, they do prefer moist soil. Try getting a misting bottle and turning it to the “fine mist” setting. When too much water is in the soil, it removes the oxygen needed to “breathe” properly. If you can, aim to keep your mint in a room between 60-80°F (15-27°C). Once picked, mint leaves will eventually turn brown as they lose nutrients and interact with the air. Leaf blight causes entire leaves to turn black or brown and fall off. This leaf disease is rare, and usually strikes plants already weakened by fungal rust. The minerals that provide plants with nutrients from fertilizer can leave a salt residue in soil afterward if improperly fertilized. Outdoor plants have all of the soil in the world (quite literally) to spread itself throughout. Use a liquid 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate listed on the label. All of these variations result in the roots having their flow constricted and sometimes cut off. Place your mint in a moderately temperate area. Pruning is beneficial not only for ridding of brown parts of a plant but also for creating bushier and fuller plants in general. So, when you over-fertilize, you run the risk of fertilizer burn. Whether you have better luck or a light brown gardening thumb like me, these tips will improve the health of your mint. link to 12 Causes of Snake Plant Brown Tips (solution and Prevention), link to Why Are My Elephant Ear Leaves Curling? If the spots are due to a fungus or disease, the leaves are not safe to eat, and the plant needs to be cured before consumption. I planted my mint plant from a stem and within 15 days new leaves were seen for which I was happy but in next 7 days the stems started turning brown and seems falling toward earth. Lack of water will cause the plant to try and preserve itself by keeping the stem healthy. Composting is a guaranteed way to supply nutrients to the roots in an organic way. If the mint is potted, water from the bottom. Don’t be alarmed! Infected plant residue is thought to be the main source of spread for the fungus. Mint is best off watered 1-2 times a week at most. Because mint enjoys shady areas, it is the perfect storm for fungus to grow and cause browning on your mint leaves! You should always be observant of your plants to take note of any changes in their composition. If this method is not possible, try and store your mint in a way that keeps oxygen from reaching them and prevents them from drying out, such as in a sealed glass floating in the water. Pests that attack your mint can cause all kinds of health problems for the plant, in addition to brown spots on leaves. Make sure to spray the underside of the leaves as well. If you have holes at the bottom of your planter, stop watering as soon as you see water to trickle out of the bottom holes. Plants are just like every other living thing in the world in which they have a beginning and an end. Be consistent with watering and give it the same amount every time. They feed on leaves and create brown spots that create foliage on the stem. Adult thrips are pale yellow or light brown while their offspring are lighter in color. Winter air can be drying to your plant, even if it’s inside. Keep your mint in a moderately temperate room. What to Do if My Basil Plant Stalks Are Turning Black. Cut at a diagonal so you don’t damage the area and prevent growth. I bought neem oil to fight the green worms that are eating the leaves, but what else The quicker you get rid of the pesky aging, the quicker you’ll see the newer parts of your plant flourish! Constricted roots aren’t able to get sufficient amounts of water because of the root system “strangling” itself in a strange way. As the condition worsens the … You should follow the general maintenance of your mint plant to prevent the leaves from turning brown. The fungus survives in plant residue on which spores are produced from precolonized woody stem tissue. Excessive salts such as sodium and magnesium can damage mint plants through the root system. The leaves closest to the soil will begin to turn a dark yellow and grow into a brown color prior to falling off of the stem. These pests could be the source of your problems if you keep your indoor mint in a warm and damp environment that they can thrive in. Use insecticidal soap if the mite population becomes too high, but be careful of using many traditional insecticides as they can kill the mites’ natural predators and cause the pest to thrive. Keeping a plant in a moderately humid environment is extremely important. so as to choke your plant. If you have a thrips infestation, leaves will be speckled with black feces, and you may be able to spot the small insect under a magnifying glass. If the plant hasn’t overgrown its pot, try watering less frequently or watering with a smaller amount. In addition, make sure you clean all picked mint leaves thoroughly before consumption if you believe your plant may be affected. If the fungus occurs early on, you can try to cut off the parts of the plant that are infected, but you have to do that at your own risk. Scrub the pot and rinse thoroughly before planting anything else in there. It may be too late for this plant but if you buy another, once it looks healthy, split it You can also put a small cone or collar around the base of the plant and hand-pick out larvae if possible. A sudden shock like that will not only cause browning issues but may kill your mint off altogether. Mint is one of the easiest things to grow. To best preserve the flavor and strength of your mint leaves once picked, wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel and then place them in a sealable bag or another airtight container. Counteract this by splitting the bushel into as many smaller pieces as you can and placing them into smaller pots! If your branches bend, your plant is hanging in there. 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