Brown/yellow spots on satin pothos

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Any clue why I constantly get yellow brown spots on this plant?

I'm not super concerned with this as I know my plants won't look perfect 24/7 but I'm curious what all the experts have to say out there! I thought it was worth asking because this plant will consistently get 1-2 bad leaves on it. I've just been clipping them back and the cycle just continues.

I know yellowing tends to be a sign of over watering, but I don't think that's the case. This plants appears to get brown spots first and turn yellow as they die. I make sure the pot is almost dry before watering and it's planted in a nursery pot with great drainage and light soil. I've had it about a year and never really fertilized it so maybe that would help? I also know it's not root bound. The rest of the plant appears healthy (no pests that I can see) and continues to grow!

PS. I know I may not be using the correct common name for this plant. I've heard many different names used to describe this one as well as similar variety with larger leaves. This is the smaller leaf one and I believe the scientific name is Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus' but I'm not positive. I've heard silvery anne, silver philodendron, etc. but I just call mine satin pothos!

Featured Answer

User

5 years ago

I might try fertilization, but that's not a sign of low fertilization. Pothos just don't care as a general rule and simply stop growing. Ken's right, it might be heat, or other stress, causing it. It doesn't look like overwatering or underwatering.

Pothos don't generally suffer from tipping (chlorine, fluorine, or other salts in the water issues), either.

Disease is possible, but the rest of the plant looks so amazing it seems unlikely. And even if it were potbound, pothos are unlikely to complain too much about even that.

I'd look for stress first. Does the sun hit that at any time (I'm saying no because it really wouldn't care about a wink or two and mine sees far more). Are there pests in the soil? Maybe give it a light feed to see if it helps, but I don't like randomly throwing things at a plant if it's unnecessary and we're not sure...

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
is that a fireplace.. is it active.. how close is it ... could you be toasting the closest leaves??? . you might be seeing something that happened a month ago ...

i only see two .. and lots of others.. i would probably just snip them off ..

how far is it from a window or light source ....

its not a fert issue.. imo ...

track that particular part back to media... see any injury.. if so... cut back to before the injury.. and root the part you took off ...

to me.. it doesnt matter the name... but im sure someone will come along and tell you ..

welcome to the forums ...

ken
Kelly thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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Kelly
Original Author
5 years ago
That is a fireplace close by, but it's an electric fireplace that we never turn on, even if we did, the shelf it sits on it tucked back a bit and the plant would not be able to receive any direct heat from it.

It's about 4 feet back from a south facing window. On occasion, it does get a moment of direct light but it depends on the day.

No pests in the soil that I can see. And yes like I mentioned, this only occurs on 1-2 leaves but its been consistently continuing to do so for several months. I clip it back every time.

Thanks for the input!
User
5 years ago
Call Scooby Doo?
Corinna
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Are the leaves slightly mushy when they first get the browning on them? If so it might be root rot and that left yellow leaf looks like it. I would check the roots of the plant and if parts of them are black and mushy, you need to cut away those damaged roots and repot ASAP.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
in a corner.. 4 feet from a window doesnt sound like enough light ...

imo .. its stressed.. fert is not going to help stress ...

and again.. if its just one or two leaves... snip them off.. and move it a bit closer to the window.. but not into sun without hardneing it off ...

i would put it outside in full bright shade for the summer ... make it real happy of this summer.... then bring it back in for more winter abuse.. lol .. i put all my plants outside for summer ... imo.. it refreshes.. and recharges them ...

and they root very easy.. if you want to try.. root a few pieces ... it will be fun .. and you can gift them away come fall ...

ken