If your Clivia is starting to show brown leaves, don’t panic! Most of the time, it’s just a little “care hiccup” that’s easy to fix. Usually, brown foliage is a sign of one of three things:
- Too much direct sunlight
- Standing water (soggy feet)
- Not enough water
Sunburn: When your Clivia gets too much light
Clivias love a bright spot, but they aren’t exactly sunbathers. Too much direct sunlight can actually scorch the leaves. You’ll notice burn marks that eventually turn the whole leaf yellow or brown. If you don’t move it, the plant might not make it.
To fix this, go ahead and trim off those burnt, brown leaves at the base. Then, find your Clivia a new home where it gets plenty of light but stays out of the harsh midday sun. Windowsills can be tricky because the glass acts like a magnifying glass on those sensitive leaves!
Soggy feet: Dealing with standing water
Clivias really hate sitting in water. If you’re overwatering and that extra moisture has nowhere to go, the leaf tips will start turning brown. Even worse, standing water can lead to root rot, which can be a death sentence for your plant.
If you think your plant is waterlogged, take it out of the pot and trim away any mushy, rotten roots. Let the root ball dry out completely before repotting it in fresh soil.
To prevent this in the future, make sure you have good drainage at the bottom of the pot when repotting. Keep a steady watering schedule, but remember: Clivias are thirstier in the summer. During the winter, they need a lot less water—just enough to keep the root ball from drying out completely.
Thirsty plants: When you’re under-watering
On the flip side, being a little too forgetful with the watering can can also cause trouble. If your Clivia is too dry, the leaves will turn yellow, then brown, and eventually start to wilt. If you see this happening, give your plant a good drink and keep the soil consistently moist until those leaves start looking perky again.
