Pittosporum Turning Brown
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Why Is My Pittosporum Turning Brown?
Brown pittosporum leaves usually mean the hedge is under severe stress. The most common causes are drought, root damage, or nutrient deficiencies, but fungal disease and frost scorch can also play a role. The quickest way to encourage fresh green growth is to correct watering, prune damaged foliage, and feed with CompleteGrow’s All Purpose Liquid Fertiliser NPK 20-20-20.
At a Glance: Brown Pittosporum Leaves
- Drought stress: Dry soil leads to crispy brown edges and leaf drop
- Root damage: Compaction or poor drainage starves roots of oxygen
- Nutrient deficiency: Potassium shortage causes browning leaf tips and edges
- Fungal disease: Leaf spot or root rot cause browning patches and dieback
- Frost scorch: Cold snaps burn foliage, especially in exposed hedges
Quick Fix: Water deeply, prune affected growth, and feed with CompleteGrow 20-20-20 to restore healthy green foliage.
Early Signs to Watch For
Pittosporum usually show warning signs before full browning sets in. Recognising them early prevents long-term hedge decline:
- Leaf tips turning bronze or tan: First sign of drought stress or potassium deficiency.
- Edges drying and curling: Indicates heat or wind damage combined with low soil moisture.
- Patches of brown spotting: Suggests fungal leaf spot infection.
- Sudden browning on one side of plant: Often linked to root damage or waterlogging.
These early changes show the hedge is struggling, giving you a chance to act before widespread dieback occurs.
Main Causes of Browning Pittosporum
Brown leaves can come from a range of environmental and biological stresses. The most common causes include:
- Drought stress: In hot, dry weather, pittosporum conserve water by sacrificing outer leaves, which turn brown and drop.
- Root damage: Compacted soils or prolonged waterlogging damage roots, leading to nutrient starvation and browning foliage.
- Potassium deficiency: Leaves brown at tips and edges while remaining green in the centre. Severe deficiency causes dieback of shoots.
- Fungal disease: Root rot causes widespread browning starting at the base, while leaf spot shows up as brown speckles across foliage.
- Frost scorch: Exposure to winter frosts burns foliage, turning outer leaves brown while inner growth stays green.
- Pruning shock: Heavy or poorly timed cuts leave exposed foliage vulnerable to sunburn, causing brown patches.
How to Fix Browning Leaves on Pittosporum
Most pittosporum recover well once the stress factor is corrected. Follow these steps to restore health and colour:- Water deeply and consistently: Soak soil once or twice a week during dry spells rather than frequent shallow watering.
- Prune affected foliage: Remove brown, dead, or diseased growth to stimulate healthy regrowth.
- Treat fungal issues: Remove infected leaves and improve air circulation. Apply fungicide if leaf spot persists.
- Protect from frost: Use frost cloths in cold snaps, especially on young or exposed hedges.
- Feed with a balanced fertiliser: Essential for encouraging vigorous new growth and reversing nutrient-related browning.
- Nitrogen: Stimulates lush new foliage to replace damaged leaves
- Phosphorus: Strengthens roots against stress and improves nutrient uptake
- Potassium: Prevents leaf scorch, strengthens resistance to heat and cold
Quick FAQs
- Why are my pittosporum leaves turning brown? Usually drought stress, root damage, or potassium deficiency.
- Can brown leaves recover? No — prune them off, but new growth will return green with proper care.
- Which fertiliser should I use? CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 Liquid is the best choice for fast recovery.
- How long does recovery take? With watering and feeding, new growth appears within 4–6 weeks.
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