Camellias (botanical name *Camellia*) have a bit of a reputation for being the “divas” of the garden. They can be incredibly picky, and if their environment or care routine isn’t exactly to their liking, they aren’t afraid to show it. One of the most common ways these plants express their displeasure is by developing brown spots.
Brown Spots on Leaves
If you notice brown spots on your camellia’s foliage, it’s usually a sign that something is off with its location or care. While diseases can happen, they aren’t usually the first culprit to blame.
Care Mistakes
Because camellias are such sensitive souls, they react quickly to “tough love.” Issues like waterlogging (standing water) or over-fertilizing are common triggers for leaf discoloration. When playing detective, think about how long the plant might have been stressed. Sometimes, even a well-meaning neighbor who overwatered while you were on vacation can cause these spots to appear.
The key is to act fast to save your plant. Since brown spots are often just a symptom of root rot caused by too much water or fertilizer, you need to get to the root of the problem—literally. Your best bet is to repot the plant into fresh, dry soil as soon as possible.
Sunburn and Frost Damage
Camellias aren’t big fans of the spotlight—at least not when it comes to harsh, direct midday sun. If you notice brown patches appearing suddenly, your plant might have a sunburn. You’ll want to move it to a shadier location or provide some relief with a sunshade or umbrella.
On the flip side, cold snaps can also cause trouble. If your camellia is exposed to freezing temperatures, frost damage often shows up as brown spots on the leaves. Whether the plant bounces back from frost damage really depends on how deep the “cold shock” went.
Old Age
Don’t panic if you see a few spots on older leaves! Camellias naturally refresh their foliage every two to three years. During this process, older leaves turn yellow and may develop brown spots before falling off. As long as this is only happening to about a third of the leaves or less, it’s just a natural part of the plant’s life cycle.
Diseases
In some cases, brown spots can be a sign of leaf spot disease. You can usually tell the difference because these spots will eventually dry out and may even crumble, leaving holes in the leaves.
Brown Spots on Buds or Blooms
If the spots are showing up on the beautiful flowers themselves, check your watering technique. Getting the petals wet while watering often leads to browning. Additionally, dramatic swings in temperature can cause those lovely blooms to develop unsightly brown edges or spots.
