Why Are My Cordyline Leaves Turning Brown? Causes & Fixes

Brown leaves on cordylines are a common problem and usually signal stress rather than permanent damage. The main causes are underwatering, low humidity, salt build-up from fertiliser, sun scorch, cold damage, or natural ageing. Brown tips can also appear if the plant is exposed to inconsistent watering or dry indoor air. The good news is that brown leaves do not mean your cordyline is dying, and with the right care, new healthy growth will replace them.

Why Cordyline Leaves Turn Brown

Underwatering: Dry soil causes leaf tips and edges to crisp and brown.
Low Humidity: Common indoors, especially with heating or air conditioning, leading to dry brown tips.
Salt Build-Up: Over-fertilising or using hard water can cause browning at leaf margins.
Sunburn: Strong direct sun may scorch leaves, leaving brown patches.
Cold Damage: Frost or exposure to cold winds can damage foliage, especially on tropical varieties like Cordyline fruticosa.
Pests & Disease: Mealybugs and fungal leaf spots can create discoloured or brown patches.
Natural Ageing: Older leaves naturally yellow, then turn brown before falling away.

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Should You Cut Off Brown Cordyline Leaves or Tips?

Yes — you can safely remove brown leaves and tips from cordylines. Trimming helps the plant look healthier and redirects energy into new growth. Brown tips can be trimmed with clean scissors, following the natural leaf shape. Entire brown or dead leaves should be cut off at the base of the stem. This won’t harm the plant, as cordylines continually shed old foliage to make way for fresh leaves.

How to Fix Brown Leaves on Cordyline

Check Watering: Water when the top 5–7 cm of soil is dry. Avoid both drought and waterlogging.
Increase Humidity: Mist leaves occasionally indoors or place pots on pebble trays with water.
Flush Excess Salts: Water pots thoroughly to wash out fertiliser build-up if browning appears after feeding.
Protect from Extremes: Move plants out of harsh midday sun and protect from frost in cooler regions.
Feed Properly: Apply a balanced fertiliser like CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 every 3–4 weeks in the growing season to maintain healthy foliage.
Prune Damaged Leaves: Remove unsightly leaves to keep the plant neat and encourage new shoots.

Cordylines are resilient and will often bounce back with improved watering, feeding, and protection. Even if several leaves turn brown, the crown will usually continue producing fresh, colourful foliage.

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Cordyline Brown Leaves FAQs

Should I cut the brown tips off my cordyline?
Yes. Trim brown tips with clean scissors, following the natural leaf shape. This is purely cosmetic and helps the plant look tidy.

Should I cut the brown leaves off my cordyline?
Yes. Fully brown or dead leaves can be removed at the base of the stem without harming the plant.

Why are my red cordyline leaves going brown?
Red cordylines (Cordyline fruticosa ‘Red Sister’) are sensitive to cold, low humidity, and sun scorch. Ensure they have filtered light, moderate watering, and consistent feeding.

Does fertiliser stop brown leaves?
Fertiliser won’t reverse browning but prevents future issues by strengthening the plant. Use CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 regularly for vibrant, healthy foliage.

Brown leaves on cordylines are usually easy to manage. With the right balance of watering, humidity, and fertiliser, your plant will stay healthy and continue to produce strong new growth season after season.