The reason for philodendron dying is because of too much water around the root ball due to over watering and a lack of good drainage. Philodendron require evenly moist soil to grow. In boggy or saturated soil philodendron develop root rot, with leaves turning yellow, drooping and dying back.
Philodendron leaves turn brown and droop due to under watering, low humidity, too much sun and can die back in temperatures lower then 50°F (10°C).
To save a dying philodendron it is important to emulate some of the growing conditions of its native environment in your home, with evenly moist soil (but not saturated), regular mist spraying to increase humidity and locating your Philodendron in an area with bright, indirect light and relatively warm temperatures.
Keep reading for why your philodendron is dying and how to save it…
Philodendron Leaves Turning Yellow and Drooping
- Symptoms. Leaves of the philodendron turning yellow and drooping downwards with an overall dying appearance.
- Causes. Over watering is the most common cause of leaves turn yellow and drooping. Under Watering can also cause the leaves to turn yellow, often with brown leaf margins.
By far the most common cause of philodendron leaves turn yellow is due to too much moisture around the roots which can be caused by over watering, slow draining soils, pots without drainage holes in the base or because of the use of saucers, trays and decorative pots underneath the philodendrons pot which prevents excess water escaping.
Philodendron are tropical plants that are native to hot and humid climates with frequent rainfall, but crucially they always grow in soil that retains moisture but is well draining.
If the philodendron is in soil that is boggy or saturated then this excludes oxygen from the soil which prevents root respiration and interferes with the roots ability to uptake water and nutrients, cause the leaves to turn yellow and droopy.
If the roots have been in saturated soil for too long, they can develop root rot, so it is important to address the issue.
How to Save Dying Philodendron with Yellow Drooping Leaves
- Scale back the watering immediately. Philodendron require the soil to be evenly moist but not damp and boggy. Let the soil drain properly for several days.
- Lift the philodendron out of the soil and inspect the root ball. If the roots looks dark brown and have a rotten or mushy texture then this indicates root rot. Snip off any rotten looking roots with a pair of sterile pruners back to healthy growth. Wipe the blades with a cloth soaked in disinfectant after each cut to prevent spreading fungal disease to otherwise healthy tissue, and replant it in a new pot with new potting soil. If the roots are in good condition with a lighter color and then there is no need to cut back any roots.
- Ensure that your philodendron is planted in well draining potting soil. Some potting mixes contains wetting agents that can keep the soil too damp for long periods. If your potting soil drains slowly and feels boggy rather then evenly moist, replace the soil with 3 parts regular potting soil and 1 part perlite to help improve drainage and ensure the soil stays porous and aerated with a good structure.
- Philodendron should always be planted in pots with drainage holes in their base to allow excess water to escape and prevent water pooling around the roots.
- Saucers, trays and decorative outer pots can prevent excess water spilling in the home but it can also cause water to pool around the roots causing the philodendron leaves to turn yellow. Empty saucers, trays and decorative outer pots regularly after watering to allow the soil to drain properly.
If the philodendron has root rot then snipping away diseased root and replanting it in new soil is the only way to save it, however this is a fairly drastic step and the philodendron could still die back due to shock.
Keep the soil moist (but not saturated) if you have had to replant the philodendron in new soil due to root rot or slow draing soils as this helps to mitigate any transplant shock.
The philodendron should show signs of recovery when new growth emerges, at which point you can cut back any yellow leaves that have died back.
When you have the right soil profile, and the philodendron is planted in a pot with drainage holes so that excess water can escape after watering then philodendrons should be watered as frequently as required to keep the soil moist, which can vary according to climate and conditions in your home but typically watering once every week in Winter and Fall and watering 1 or 2 times per week during active growth in the Spring and Summer keeps the plant healthy.
(For all the best watering practices read my article, how often and how much to water philodendrons).
Bear in mind that philodendron leaves can also turn yellow due to under watering and low humidity, often with brown leaf margins…
Philodendron Leaves Turning Brown and Drooping
- Symptoms. Leaf margins turning brown or the entire leaves turns brown. Leaves can also curl or droop.
- Causes. Under watering, low humidity, cold temperatures or too much direct sunlight.
Philodendrons are native to tropical climates where they thrive in relatively high humidity, in warm temperatures, frequent rainfall and often under the canopy of trees with bright, indirect sunlight.
If the philodendron is in a location with lots of direct then the leaves tend to turn brown in patches or have a generally scorched appearance. Too much sun can also dry out moisture from the leaves causing them to shrivel and turn brown due to drought stress.
Philodendron typically grow in relatively high humidity in their native range so if the plants leaves are in the direct path of air conditioning, forced air, draughts or convention currents from sources of heat when indoors then this can sap excess moisture from the leaves quicker then the roots can uptake water which causes the to turn brown as a sign of stress.
Philodendron grows in soils that are well draining but evenly moist in their native environment due to the frequent rainfall and high humidity.
If the philodendron is not watered often enough or watered too lightly then the leaves can droop and turn brown which is symptomatic of drought stress.
Cool temperatures lower then 50°F (10°C) can also cause your philodendron to die back. The optimal temperature from growing philodendron is between 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 30°C).
How to Save Dying Philodendron With Brown Leaves and a Drooping Appearance
- Give the philodendrons pot a generous soak so that water trickles from the drainage holes in the base. This ensures that you have watered sufficiently so that the moisture reach the roots further in the soil. If you water too lightly then only the surface of the soil becomes moist and the roots underneath can suffer drought stress.
- Water your philodendron as often as is required to keep the soil evenly moist (but not saturated). To Determine how often to water philodendron, give the soil a generous soak then monitor the soil moisture by touch over the course of a week. As soon as the top inch of the soil starts to dry out give the philodendron a good soak. This creates the optimal balance of moisture so that the plant has access to the water it requires without being too damp and causing root rot.
- Mist the philodendron once or twice per week. Misting you philodendron helps to create a humid micro-climate that effectively mimics the higher levels of humidity of the philodendrons native environment. Keep the philodendron out of the way of draughts and air currents if the leaves are turning brown and drooping.
- Always locate the philodendron in bright, indirect light. Too much sunlight causes the leaves to turn brown in patches with a scorched appearance. These scorched leaves do not recover after being sun burnt but they do not necessarily kill the philodendron either, as long as you move it from the area of full sun to a more shaded location.
- Trim back any sun burnt brown leaves for aesthetic purposes, however if the majority of the philodendrons leaves are brown due to sun burn then wait till new growth emerges before cutting back too many leaves as cutting back most of the foliage could also cause the plant to die of shock.
- Ideally locate the philodendron in an area of the home between 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 30°C) and avoid temperatures lower then 50°F (10°C) whilst the plant is recovering. Avoid locating your philodendron in a draughty area of the house and ensure that the leaves are not in contact with a cold window which can cause the plant to die back.
Philodendrons often recover well after a period of drought stress when they are properly watered and should show signs of recovery after 2 or 3 cycles of watering.
Philodendron not Growing
- Symptoms. The philodendron leaves are not growing and the plant generally appears to be dormant or even dying.
- Causes. Too shady an area with not enough bright light, a lack of water, pot bound roots, lack of fertilizer, lack of aeration in the soil around the roots.
Whilst philodendrons are valued for their ability to grow indoors, they prefer bright, indirect light and growth can slow considerably if they are in a shady location.
Too much shade typically causes the leaves to grow smaller and the stems can grow leggy as they plant searches for more light. Relocate your philodendron is a brighter area of the home to stimulate more growth.
Always keep the soil moist and the air around the philodendrons leaves relatively humid by misting once or twice per week.
Philodendron can stop growing due to drought stress so it is important to water as frequently as required to keep the potting soil moist (but not saturated) to promote good, healthy foliage growth.
If the philodendron has been in the same pot for a long time the plant can outgrow the pot and the roots can become pot bound which can exhaust the availability of nutrients in the soil.
Re-pot your philodendron in a larger pot with new soil to improve the condition of your philodendron. Some all purpose house plant fertilizer can provide the philodendron with the nutrients it requires to stimulate growth.
Only feed your philodendron in the Spring and Summer when the plant is actively growing. Typically feeding philodendron once per month is optimal for growth and a healthy plant.
If the potting soil is too compacted around the root ball then this can excude oxgyen from the soil which prevents root repiration and interferes with the philodendrons ability to function properly. This can cause the philodendron to stop growing.
If the soil is too compacted in your pot then I suggest re-potting your philodendron in 3 parts ordinary potting soil to 1 parts perlite. The perlite helps to improve the porous, structure of the potting soil to allow water to drain effectively and increase the aeration in the soil so that the plant can grow properly.
Key Takeaways:
- The reason for a dying philodendron is because of over watering, under watering, cold temperatures or too much sun. Philodendron leaves turn yellow and droop due to saturated soil and turn brown because of under watering or sun burn. Temperatures cooler then 50°F can be the cause of a dying philodendron.
- Philodendron are topical plants that prefer hot and humid environments, ideally locate your philodendron in room with temperatures between 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 30°C). Mist the leaves once or twice per week to create a humid micro-climate that replicates the conditions of the philodendrons native environment.
- Water the philodendron as often as required to keep the soil evenly moist. Add perlite to the potting mix to help improve drainage for the optimal balance of moisture.
- To save your philodendron locate the plant in bright indirect light, in moist yet well draining soil, in warm temperatures and mist the leaves regularly. The plant should show signs of recovery with new growth emerging in the active growing season of Spring and Summer.