Money Plant With Brown Spots – Your Complete Guide To Diagnosis And

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the lush, vibrant green of a healthy Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Pothos. Its cascading vines can bring life to any corner of your home. But then you see it—an unwelcome brown spot on a perfect, heart-shaped leaf. Your heart sinks a little. Is it sick? Is it dying? What did you do wrong?

Take a deep breath, my friend. Seeing a money plant with brown spots is a super common issue, and it’s almost always fixable. Think of those spots not as a failure, but as your plant trying to communicate with you. It’s sending you a signal, and I’m here to help you translate it.

I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident and empowered to diagnose the problem and nurse your leafy friend back to perfect health. We’ll walk through exactly what those spots mean, how to fix the underlying cause, and the best practices to prevent them from ever coming back.

Let’s get your Money Plant looking glorious again!

First, Let’s Play Detective: What Do the Brown Spots Look Like?

Before we can jump to a solution, we need to gather some clues. Not all brown spots are created equal! The appearance, location, and texture of the spots on your Money Plant’s leaves can tell you a whole lot about what’s going on. Grab your plant and let’s do a quick inspection.

Soft, Mushy Brown Patches (Often with Yellowing)

If you see soft, almost translucent brown patches, especially near the base of the plant or on newer leaves, this is a major red flag. Gently touch the spot; if it feels mushy or weak, the culprit is almost certainly too much water. This is one of the most common problems with money plant with brown spots.

Brown, Crispy Edges or Tips

Are the very tips or edges of the leaves turning brown, dry, and crunchy? This classic symptom usually points to a lack of moisture. This could be from underwatering, low humidity in your home, or even a buildup of salts from tap water.

Dry, Brown “Sunburned” Patches

If the brown spots are large, dry, and appear on the parts of the leaves most exposed to light, your plant is likely getting a sunburn. Money Plants love bright light, but direct, harsh sunlight will scorch their delicate leaves, leaving behind these telltale patches.

Small, Dark Brown or Black Spots with a Yellow Halo

Seeing distinct, almost circular brown or black spots, often surrounded by a bright yellow ring? This is a strong indicator of a fungal or bacterial leaf spot disease. Don’t worry, it sounds scarier than it usually is and can be managed with a few simple steps.

The #1 Culprit: A Deep Dive into Watering Woes

Nine times out of ten, the issue behind a money plant with brown spots comes down to water. It’s a delicate balance, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be golden. Let’s break down the two sides of this coin.

The Telltale Signs of Overwatering

We love our plants, so we want to give them everything they need—including water. But too much of a good thing can be disastrous. Overwatering is the single fastest way to harm a Money Plant.

When the soil is constantly soggy, the roots can’t breathe. They begin to suffocate and decay, leading to a dreaded condition called root rot. Once the roots are compromised, they can’t deliver water and nutrients to the leaves, causing those soft, mushy brown spots and widespread yellowing.

Your Action Plan:

  • Stop Watering Immediately: Let the soil dry out completely.
  • Check the Drainage: Ensure your pot has drainage holes. If it doesn’t, repotting is a must.
  • Improve Airflow: Gently poke a few holes in the soil with a chopstick to help aerate it.
  • Assess the Roots: If the problem is severe, you may need to gently remove the plant, trim away any black, mushy roots with sterile scissors, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
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The Sneaky Symptoms of Underwatering

While less common, underwatering can also cause brown spots. If you forget to water for too long, the plant will start to conserve resources. The first parts to suffer are the leaf tips and edges, which will turn brown, dry, and crispy.

You’ll also likely notice the plant looking droopy and wilted, and the soil will feel bone-dry and may have pulled away from the sides of the pot.

Your Action Plan:

  1. The Finger Test: The best way to know when to water is to stick your finger two inches into the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. If it’s damp, wait a few more days.
  2. Water Deeply, Not Lightly: When you do water, give the plant a thorough soak until water runs out of the drainage holes. This encourages deep, strong root growth. Then, dump out any excess water from the saucer.

Environmental Stressors: Is Your Plant’s Home the Problem?

Sometimes, the issue isn’t what you’re doing, but where your plant is living. A few simple tweaks to its environment can make all the difference and are a key part of any good money plant with brown spots care guide.

Too Much Direct Sunlight

Think of Money Plant leaves like our skin—too much direct sun causes a burn. Those brown, papery patches are a sign your plant is getting scorched.

The Fix: Move your plant to a spot where it receives bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is perfect, or a spot a few feet back from a south or west-facing window.

Low Humidity

Money Plants are tropical natives, and they thrive in humidity. Most of our homes, especially in winter when the heat is on, are quite dry. This lack of moisture in the air can cause those crispy brown leaf tips.

The Fix:

  • Mist your plant with water every few days.
  • Place it on a pebble tray (a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water).
  • Group it with other plants to create a humid microclimate.
  • Use a small humidifier nearby.

Fertilizer Burn

Just like with water, too much fertilizer can harm your plant. An excess of mineral salts from fertilizer can build up in the soil and “burn” the roots, resulting in brown, crispy leaf edges.

The Fix: If you suspect you’ve over-fertilized, flush the soil by letting water run through it for several minutes. Going forward, fertilize only during the growing season (spring and summer) at half-strength, once a month at most.

Your Step-by-Step Revival Guide: How to Treat a Money Plant with Brown Spots

Okay, you’ve played detective and have a good idea of the cause. Now it’s time for action! Here is a simple, effective treatment plan to get your plant on the road to recovery.

  1. Isolate Your Plant: If you suspect a pest or fungal issue, move the plant away from your other houseplants immediately to prevent it from spreading.
  2. Prune the Damage: Using a pair of clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, carefully snip off the leaves that are heavily damaged. If a leaf only has a small brown tip, you can just trim off the brown part. This allows the plant to focus its energy on new, healthy growth.
  3. Address the Root Cause: This is the most important step! Based on your diagnosis, make the necessary changes. Adjust your watering schedule, move the plant to a better location, or begin treating for pests.
  4. Apply an Eco-Friendly Treatment (If Needed): For fungal spots or pests, a simple solution of neem oil is a fantastic, eco-friendly money plant with brown spots treatment. Mix a teaspoon of neem oil and a few drops of mild dish soap into a liter of water, shake well, and spray all surfaces of the leaves.
  5. Be Patient and Consistent: Your plant didn’t develop brown spots overnight, and it won’t heal overnight either. Give it time to recover. Stick to your new care routine, and soon you’ll be rewarded with fresh, unblemished growth.
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Sustainable Prevention: Money Plant with Brown Spots Best Practices

The best way to deal with brown spots is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Following these money plant with brown spots best practices will keep your Pothos thriving for years to come.

  • Master Your Watering: Always, always check the soil before watering. Consistency is key.
  • Provide the Right Light: Bright, indirect light is the sweet spot. Avoid direct sun and very low light.
  • Use Well-Draining Soil: A standard indoor potting mix with added perlite or orchid bark works wonders for drainage and aeration.
  • Fertilize Sparingly: Feed your plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month during spring and summer only.
  • Wipe the Leaves: Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks. This removes dust, helps the plant breathe, and allows you to inspect for early signs of pests. This is one of the best money plant with brown spots tips I can offer!

Frequently Asked Questions About a Money Plant with Brown Spots

Should I remove leaves that have brown spots?

Yes, it’s a good idea. If a leaf is more than 50% brown or yellow, it’s best to prune it off at the base of its stem. This helps the plant redirect energy to new growth and improves air circulation, which helps prevent fungal issues.

Can the brown spots on my money plant spread to other plants?

It depends on the cause. If the spots are from watering or light issues, they are not contagious. However, if they are caused by a fungal disease or pests, they can absolutely spread. It’s always a good practice to isolate a troubled plant until you’ve solved the problem.

Can a money plant leaf with a brown spot recover?

Unfortunately, no. The brown, damaged tissue on a leaf will not turn green again. The goal of your treatment is to stop the spots from getting larger and to prevent new spots from forming on healthy leaves.

Why are my money plant leaves turning yellow *and* brown?

This combination is a classic sign of overwatering and potential root rot. The yellowing indicates the leaf is dying, and the brown, mushy spots are where the tissue has completely decayed. Check your soil moisture and drainage immediately!

You’ve Got This!

Seeing a money plant with brown spots can be discouraging, but I hope this guide has shown you that it’s just a bump in the road on your plant parent journey. Every gardener has been there! By learning to read the signs your plant gives you, you’re becoming a more intuitive and skilled caretaker.

Remember to be patient, be observant, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments. Your Money Plant is resilient, and with a little love and the right care, it will be back to its beautiful, trailing self in no time.

Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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