Philodendrons are a plant known to survive in shady, humid environments. This means that philodendrons are a great addition to your garden if you live in an area with hot summers. But if you notice that your philodendron is losing leaves, there may be a problem. In this blog post, I will discuss the most common reasons why philodendrons lose their leaves and how to remedy the problem.

Why are philodendron’s leaves falling off?

Your philodendron is likely experiencing a problem with its leaves. Many possible causes for a philodendron’s leaves to fall off include disease, poor light, and lack of water. Notice that your philodendron’s leaves are falling off more than usual. It might be best to consult a professional about the issue.

Overwatering or underwatering

There are a few reasons why a philodendron may lose leaves.

  • The most common cause is overwatering, which makes the plant dry out and stop being able to get nutrients from the soil.
  • Underwatering can also cause leaves to fall off, as waterlogged roots cannot get enough oxygen, causing them to die.

Suppose you notice that your philodendron is losing leaves, and you can’t determine the cause. In that case, it’s best to err on the side of caution and stop watering until you can figure out what’s wrong.

Nutrient deficiency

Philodendron is a houseplant commonly used in greenhouses and homes because it grows quickly and has a long life span. If a philodendron does not get the right nutrients, it may start to lose leaves. There are many things that can make a philodendron lack nutrients, like not getting enough water, fertilizer, or sunlight. A lack of nutrients can also be caused by an illness or by not planting the philodendron in the right area.

Fungal/Bacterial Infection

There are a few reasons why a philodendron may lose leaves. One reason is that the plant may be infected with a fungus or bacteria. These organisms can cause the leaves to fall off the stem and damage the plant’s roots.

Drought Stress

Drought stress is a type of stress that can cause plants to lose leaves. When water levels are too low, the plant’s roots start to suck up water from the soil instead of sending it up through its leaves. This causes the leaves to stop growing and eventually die. Plants that are suffering from drought stress may also have smaller and fewer flowers, as well as decreased yields.

Direct sunlight

You may lose the leaves of a philodendron due to direct sunlight. The intense light energy can damage the cells in the leaves and cause them to fall off. In some cases, this may be due to an imbalance in the plant’s nutrient levels. The plant will struggle to produce healthy leaves if it doesn’t receive enough nutrients.

Poor Soil Quality

Poor soil quality is often the cause of plants’ loss of leaves. Poor soil is caused by many things, such as not properly tilling the soil, not adding enough organic matter, or having too much clay in the soil. These issues can lead to poor drainage and a lack of plant nutrients. Over time, this can lead to wilting and eventual leaf loss in philodendrons.

Natural shedding

Philodendrons are succulent plants that usually have leaves with a sticky coating that helps the plant stick to surfaces. Over time, this sticky coating can wear away, and leaves can start to fall off the philodendron. There are a few natural causes of this shedding, and each plant will respond differently to these triggers.

Philodendrons can lose leaves because of:

  • Changes in temperature,
  • Humidity,
  • The amount of sunlight they get,
  • And, how often they are fertilized?

If any of these factors change suddenly, it can cause the plant’s leaves to fall off. Additionally, some pests or diseases can also cause this type of shedding.

Temperatures

The most common reasons philodendrons lose leaves are due to changes in temperature. In warm weather, the leaves may expand and become green and healthy; however, as the weather cools, the leaves may shrink and turn yellow or brown.

The most common cause of temperature-related leaf loss is a drop in nighttime temperatures. If your philodendron is kept indoors during the day but exposed to evening coolness, its leaves may fall off.

High Salt Levels

The leaves of a philodendron are lost due to high salt levels in the soil. When the plant’s roots absorb too much salt, it sends water and minerals away from the leaves, causing them to wilt and fall off. To prevent this, you can lower the salt level in your philodendron’s soil or water it less often.

Heat Stress

Philodendrons are susceptible to heat stress, which can cause them to lose leaves. Heat stress occurs when the temperature exceeds the plant’s tolerance level. This can happen when the air temperature is too high, or the soil temperature is too high.

Philodendrons are especially vulnerable to heat stress because they don’t have a vascular system. Also, they can’t quickly move water and nutrients from the soil to their leaves. When heat stress occurs, the leaves will start to yellow and die.

Poor light conditions

If the leaves on your philodendron are not getting enough light or water, they will start to lose their color and fall off the plant. The leaves need sunlight to produce energy and water to stay hydrated. If the light is not strong enough, the leaves will not be able to photosynthesize, which means they will not be able to make food for the plant.

Root rot

There are many reasons a philodendron might lose leaves, but root rot is one of the most common causes. Root rot is a fungus that can attack the roots of plants and can cause them to die back. When this happens, the plant doesn’t have enough energy to grow new leaves, eventually losing all of its leaves.

Root rot is a common problem in gardens, and many different things can cause it. One of the most common causes is wet soil. Wet soil contains lots of bacteria; when the roots contact this water fungus, it can grow very quickly. Another common cause of root rot is over-fertilization. When plants are given too much fertilizer, it can encourage the growth of bad bacteria that can damage the roots.

Pest infestation

One of the most common causes of leaves on philodendrons dropping is infestations by pests. These pests can come from outside the home, such as mites or aphids, or they can come from inside the home, such as ants or scale insects.

The most common pests that cause leaves to drop on philodendrons are aphids, scale insects, ants, and mites.

Aphids are small green or black sap-sucking insects that can damage leaves and stems by sucking out the juices.

Scale insects are small white or brown bugs that can damage leaves by boring into them and leaving behind honeydew droplets that attract other bugs.

Ants patrol colonies of scale insects and eat them, so ant infestations can also be a problem.

Mites are small, eight-legged creatures that feed on the juices of plants. They can cause leaves to drop by feeding on the veins in the leaves.

How do you fix philodendron-losing leaves?

If your philodendron is losing leaves and appears ill, there could be a few issues. Waterlogging is the most typical problem when the philodendron does not receive enough air or drainage.

Increase air circulation by moving the philodendron to a location with more light and open space and installing a drainage system (a bog garden works well).

If over-watering is the problem, you’ll need to cut back on the water until the philodendron recovers.

Finally, suppose your philodendron has been damaged by frost or subjected to freezing temperatures. It may also be in trouble in that circumstance and demand urgent attention. It’s advisable to bring your philodendron in for a consultation with one of our experts if you’re unsure what’s wrong with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do leaves grow back on philodendron?

Philodendrons are a type of flower typically grow in clusters, with individual leaves arranged in a rosette around the stem. Over time, the leaves may fall off the philodendron due to various factors, including weather conditions and pests.

The leaves may grow back after falling off the plant in some cases, but this is not always the case. Ultimately, it is up to each philodendron owner to determine how often their leaves fall off and whether or not they grow back on.

How do you revive a dying philodendron?

A philodendron is a plant that typically grows up to six feet tall. Losing leaves can indicate several problems, such as a lack of light or water, root-rotting fungi, or a disease. If the problem is not corrected, the plant may die. There are several ways to revive a dying philodendron:

  • Cut off the dead leaves and stem with sharp scissors;
  • Water regularly and fertilize with an organic fertilizer;
  • Repot in fresh soil, or move to a brighter location.

How often should you water a philodendron?

You should water a philodendron regularly, but not too often. Too much water can cause the plant to rot. You also should water philodendrons until the soil is moist but not wet.

What are the signs of root rot?

Root rot is a problem with the roots of a plant. The main sign of root rot is that the leaves wilt and die. Other signs may include brown patches on the stem or soil, slimy patches, and a foul smell. If you suspect your philodendron is suffering from root rot, you should take action to prevent further damage. You can remove any damaged roots or soil and water properly to help restore the plant’s health.

How do you fix root rot without repotting?

To prevent root rot, you can try to fix the problem without repotting your philodendron.

  • First, make sure your philodendron is getting adequate water. Watering frequency should be twice a week during the growing season and once a week in the winter.
  • Over-fertilizing is also not recommended because it can cause root rot problems. Instead, use an organic fertilizer designed explicitly for plants or compost instead of synthetic fertilizers.
  • Finally, ensure good air circulation inside the pot by removing any large stones or roots that could block airflow.

Why are new leaves dying?

The leaves on your philodendron are likely dying because they are not getting the same amount of sunlight as the rest of the plant. If you keep the leaves watered, they may start to grow back, but it may take a while. You can also try to move the philodendron closer to a window to get more sunlight.

Why is my philodendron leaves curling?

Philodendron leaves curling for a variety of reasons.

  • One common cause is dry air. The leaves will curl if the air is too dry because they cannot take in water.
  • Another common cause of curling leaves on philodendrons is a fungal infection.

If you notice that your philodendron leaves are curling, it is best to consult a professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Philodendrons can lose their leaves for a number of reasons, such as being flooded, having too little water in the soil, and having poor soil fertility.

Suppose you notice that your philodendron has lost most of its leaves. In that case, you can check the soil for deficiencies and provide your plant with supplemental nitrogen if necessary. Also, provide your philodendron with plenty of sunlight and proper drainage. Your philodendron should return to its healthy green state with a little TLC!