If you have ever had a goldfish plant, then you know that they are not the most durable plants. They can be sensitive to changes in temperature or light and they don’t always do well. One of the first signs of trouble is when your goldfish plant stems turn brown and start to die off. In this article, we will discuss what causes these problems with your goldfish plant and how you can save it if it has already started turning brown!
What is causing Goldfish plant stems to turn brown?
There are a number of reasons why your goldfish plant stems may be turning brown that we will discuss below:
Not enough light
When the goldfish plant leaves turn brown this usually means it is not receiving sufficient sunlight. Make sure you provide plenty of bright, indirect sunlight for your goldfish plant! If no sun can be provided in your home, then make sure to give them at least four hours of artificial fluorescent or LED light per day and water only when the soil is dry.
Soil Conditions
If you are noticing brown leaves and yellowing on the stems, this may be a sign of over or under-watering. Make sure to water your goldfish plant when dry soil is visible at the top layer of earth in its pot!
Temperature Conditions
Extreme changes in temperature can cause issues for your plants. If the goldfish plant has been in a warm place and suddenly moved to a colder one, it could have trouble acclimating. To help your plant adjust try misting the leaves every day or two in its new environment until they turn green again!
Elevated Humidity Conditions
High humidity levels can cause brown stems on your goldfish plants that are rooted in water which means these plants need a lot of extra care. Make sure to water them less often, mist the leaves and roots on occasion, and keep them in an environment that has lower humidity levels.
Overwatering
It is very important that you don’t overwater your goldfish plants. If the soil stays wet for too long, this can cause browning on the leaves and stem as well. Make sure to water only when dry soil appears at the top of its pot!
Insects Infestation
If your goldfish plant is infested with insects like aphids or scale this could be why it’s turning brown! Insecticides can be used to kill these bugs and prevent the plants from turning brown.
What Happens When You Save a Dying Goldfish Plant?
When you save your dying goldfish plant it will take some time for new growth to occur, but if cared for properly this process should happen fairly quickly! Once healthy again, your caring may want to place it in a less humid environment to prevent any future browning from occurring.
Fertilizer
If you are noticing that your goldfish plant is turning brown it may be because they need more fertilizer. Fertilizers will provide the plants with all of the nutrients needed to stay alive and healthy!
Poor Drainage
If your goldfish plant is turning brown and it seems to be due to poor drainage, you may want to repot the plant into a pot that has more drainage holes. This will help ensure that roots can breathe properly within their soil!
Too Much calcium
If your goldfish plant is turning brown due to too much calcium in the soil, you may be able to fix this by watering with lime-free water.
Not Enough Nitrogen
If your goldfish plant turns brown and has yellow leaves this could be because there is too little nitrogen in its soil! To fix this problem, make sure to add some more nitrate-rich potting mix into the plant’s soil.
Too Much Potassium
If your goldfish plant turns brown and has yellow leaves this could be because there is too much potassium in its potting mix! To fix the problem, make sure to add some more nitrogen-rich fertilizer into the plant’s soil.
Too dry, not enough water
If your goldfish plant has brown leaves, it may be because they are too dry! Make sure you’re watering them at least every other week to keep their roots moist. If this continues after a few weeks then try adding a layer of soil or mulch to the top of the pot.
Recently Moved Plant
If you recently moved your goldfish plant to a new location make sure the conditions are right for it. If they’re not then this could be why!
It is important to note that if leaves turn black or yellowish-brown as opposed to greenish-yellow brown, this may indicate calcium deficiency which can be corrected by watering with lime-free water.
Tips for Bringing Your Goldfish Plant Back To Life
- When watering your goldfish plants make sure to water them when dry soil appears at the top of their pot
- Make sure to provide enough bright, indirect sunlight for your goldfish plants! If no sun can be provided in your home then make sure you give them four hours per day of artificial fluorescent or LED light.
- Ensure that there is good drainage and roots have plenty of oxygen when planting your goldfish plants
- Make sure to provide more fertilizer when needed! This will help the plant stay healthy.
- If you are noticing that your goldfish plant is turning brown and it seems due to poor drainage, repot the plant into a pot with better drainage holes or increase how often they get watered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it okay to water my goldfish plants when they’re turning brown?
A: Yes, you can still water them! However, make sure that the plant has been turned into a pot with good drainage for better results.
Q: What should I do if I think one of these problems may be causing my plant’s leaves to turn brown?
A: If you think your goldfish plant is turning brown because of a specific issue, make sure to see if the following tips can help!
- Ensure that there is good drainage and roots have enough oxygen when planting your goldfish plants.
- Provide more fertilizer when needed. The fertilizers will provide nutrients for the plants to thrive!
- If you are noticing that your goldfish plant is turning brown and it seems due to poor drainage, repot the plant into a pot with better drainage holes or increase how often they get watered.
Q: What should I do if my leaves turn black?
A: This may be because of too much calcium in their soil. To fix this problem, try watering with lime-free water or adding more nitrate-rich potting mix into the plant’s soil.
Q: How long does it take for a goldfish plant to grow?
A: It depends on how often you are watering and fertilizing them! The growth rate is different for each plant and will be different for each person.
Q: Is it okay to plant my goldfish plants outside?
A: Yes! Goldfish plants can actually do really well in the soil when planted outside. Just make sure you are able to water them regularly and that they get a lot of sunlight (at least four hours per day).
Q: What should I feed my goldfish plant with?
A: While goldfish plants do not require much food, they can be fed with a liquid fertilizer once per month. This will provide nutrients to the plant and help it stay healthy!
Q: Is my goldfish plant too wet?
A: If you notice that your goldfish plant is always soggy or has a lot of water sitting at the bottom of its pot, try transplanting it into a pot with better drainage holes.
