Ornamental bananas are actually very resistant. Nevertheless, the leaves can turn brown due to small care mistakes. However, these can be eradicated quickly.
The popular ornamental banana (Ensete ventricosum) is relatively hardy, but the leaves of the plant sometimes turn brown. There can be different reasons. There is a lack of water, too little humidity, the wrong location or pest infestation.
There is also a good reason: the banana plant has offspring, so-called "Kindel". Older leaves then simply die off on the perennial. However, if the ornamental banana produces too many offspring over the years, the plant will die off completely.
Cause 1: Possible care mistakes
Occasional discoloration is normal, wait and see if it stays in a few spots.
Cut off older leaves with brown discoloration and edges, this will not damage the ornamental banana.
Not enough water:
The leaves often change color if the ornamental banana does not get enough water. The edges of the leaves in particular look brown and dried out. Water more often, but also check the substrate. The water must be able to drain well. A permeable soil with portions of peat and coconut fibers is favorable for an optimal water supply. You can also shower the plant from time to time, but only the leaves should get wet. Low humidity sometimes also causes leaf discoloration. Regular spraying of the leaves with low-lime water or collected rainwater helps.
Insufficient light:
If the ornamental banana gets too little light, it tends to brown leaves. Place the perennial in a bright and sunny location so that the condition improves again. If necessary, use a plant light. Remove the affected leaves. You can ensure he althy leaf growth with regular but economical fertilizer applications. Fertilize weekly during the summer months and once a month during the winter.
Pests:
Pests can spread on and under the leaves. Mealybugs and spider mites are more common. In this case, the leaves tend to turn yellowinstead of brown and become soft. As a countermeasure, special oil-based agents are useful. The pests suffocate. The pest infestation usually occurs when the soil of the ornamental banana is too dry and the plant is too cool.
Cause 2: Plant produces daughter plants
Small plants sprout around the trunk. This is how ornamental bananas multiply. On the one hand, the formation of children is a sign that the mother plant is optimally cared for, because only he althy plants produce offspring. On the other hand: The Kindel require strength, which is mainly reflected in the browning of the leaves.
Carefully remove the young seedlings. If you want to raise the young plants, pay special attention to the delicate roots. Cut off the brown leaves. Older ornamental bananas, which have already had a large number of children, are no longer viable at some point. Then all the leaves turn yellow, then brown. Luckily you can cultivate new ornamental bananas with the young seedlings!
In short:
- Lack of water, wrong location: water more often, put in a bright place
- Lack of nutrients: fertilize more often
- Pest infestation with mealybugs or spider mites: use oil preparations
- Childing: pot young plants separately, remove brown leaves