If the ivy gets brown or black spots, you need to act. In this guide you will find out what causes black or brown spots and how to combat them.

In a nutshell

  • Stains indicate care errors
  • fungal diseases are less common
  • Do not overwater ivy or fertilize incorrectly
  • location has to be right
  • Cold is also one of the causes

Too much water

Brown or black spots are an indication of too much moisture. Ivy bushes don't need a lot of water as long as the substrate is always a little moist. They can quickly become overwatered, which is reflected in the discolouration. Fortunately, in most cases this is not root rot, which is preventable at this point. Check the substrate for moisture. If the substrate is wet and not damp, you should stop watering for the next time. A finger test can be used to find out when an ivy needs to be watered:

  • Press fingers into substrate
  • about 2 cm deep

The top layer must be dry before the plant should be watered. That means it is watered as needed. If the substrate is much too wet, it is best to repot.

Wrong location

In addition to overwatering, brown to black spots can appear on the leaves of ivy if it is improperly positioned. Epipremnum aureum is sensitive to unsuitable locations and shows this in a variety of symptoms. With dark spots, the plants lack light. This is also reflected in the loss of the leaf pattern that is characteristic of the plant. As a result, the leaf is only completely green and has dark spots. You must relocate the growth immediately for her to recover. The location as follows:

  • Light requirement: permanently bright
  • avoid direct midday sun
  • Temperature around 20°C

It is true that the ivy regains its strength, but the colored leaves remain. Cut these off so the plant can grow new ones.

Tip: Use the color of the leaves as a reference for the amount of light needed. Species with lighter leaves require more light than dark-leaved ivy.

fertilizer error

Not only can you water the plant incorrectly. If the ivy receives the wrong amount of fertilizer, brown spots are the result. The main way to create an excess of nutrients is when you have applied too much fertilizer over a short period of time or over the winter. The reason for the leaf spots is the overacidification of the substrate, which damages the roots. This in turn leads to the spots. Test the pH of the substrate to see if it's too acidic. After that, it is important that you follow the steps below:

  • repot plant
  • Remove substrate from roots
  • check roots
  • remove damaged or dead ones
  • plant in fresh substrate

Do not fertilize immediately after repotting. You can prevent further over-fertilization by observing the nutrient requirements of the tropical plant. These tips will help you to fertilize the ivy properly:

  • do not fertilize in winter
  • Fertilization period: March to the end of October
  • Fertilization rhythm liquid fertiliser: every two to three weeks
  • Fertilization rhythm fertilizer sticks: every three to four months
  • Administer liquid fertilizer over irrigation water

Notice: An undersupply of nutrients is noticeable in a weakened plant. There are no spots to be seen, the leaves just lighten up.

Winter quarters too cold

In winter, make sure that your ivy is not too cold. It requires permanent temperatures of 14°C to 16°C over the winter period. Below 12°C it slowly withers, which is shown by dark spots on the leaves. The cold problem can also be recognized by the following leaf symptoms:

  • become soft
  • hang down limp
  • slowly turn transparent

Over time, the entire plant can die due to a cold shock. To prevent this problem, you need to change the location of the Epipremnum aureum or raise the temperature as soon as possible. The plant will recover over time. Remove leaves that are still not doing better.

Notice: At the same time, pay attention to the humidity during the winter. Dry heating air weakens the plant even more, making it significantly more susceptible to brown or black spots.

draft

In addition to cold, a constant draft is not good for ivy. If she is permanently on the train, she begins to weaken and form dark spots. The symptoms are similar to those of winter quarters that are too cold, but can also occur in summer. It is quite sufficient if you change the location of the plant so that it is no longer in the train. This is a great way to prevent this problem.

leaf spot disease

Another cause of black or brown spots on Epipremnum plants is leaf spot disease. It is caused by various fungi and occurs in ivy due to general care errors, especially the overwatering already described. However, the spots are clearly different from the others and can be recognized by the following features:

  • almost round
  • lighter core
  • darker to black edges
  • leaves wither
  • fall off

The disease affects the entire leaf and the spots show up everywhere. A pattern is not recognizable. The individual spots can merge into one another. Unfortunately, an infestation with leaf spot fungi is very difficult to eliminate. You need a fungicide for this, for example from manufacturers such as Compo. They are applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. You should also note the following points so that the plant does not get sick again:

  • remove affected leaves
  • repot
  • Avoid care mistakes

frequently asked Questions

How are dead ivy bags disposed of?

Efeutute absorbs large amounts of pollutants such as carbon dioxide from the air and stores them. For this reason, the plant should not be disposed of in the compost. The pollutants could pollute the compost and make it unsuitable for use in the garden. The residual waste, on the other hand, is ideal.

What should be considered when buying plants?

So that you don't immediately have problems with the ivy bags, you should check them thoroughly for signs of weakness and stains before you buy them. Not infrequently, the plants suffer from incorrect storage conditions. In most cases it is not worth investing money for these specimens.

What Causes Yellow Leaves?

If the foliage turns yellow, it is root rot. In this case, remove the plant from the pot and check the roots for moisture damage and mold. You have to repot them afterwards and water them much more carefully.

Category:

Indoor plants