Have you ever given all your efforts into growing a plant, only for it to wither and die?
Well, we’ve all been there. Doing everything you can and still failing is horrible. But if you’re here to learn so that it doesn’t happen again, we can help.
We’ll tell you what symptoms to look out for, such as parsley plant turning brown. Moreover, we’ll tell you all the basic stuff that you need to keep in mind.
That way, you’ll be able to grow a beautiful herb garden, even if you don’t possess a green thumb! So without further ado, let’s get right to the details.
| Causes | Symptoms | Remedies |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of water | Leaves wilt, turn brown | – Water parsley regularly, keeping the soil moist |
| – Avoid overwatering, as it can cause root rot | ||
| – Use well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging | ||
| Insufficient light | Leaves turn pale and brown | – Place parsley in a sunny spot with 4-6 hours of |
| direct sunlight per day | ||
| – Use artificial grow lights if natural light is | ||
| insufficient | ||
| Disease or pests | Leaves show signs of | – Treat parsley with appropriate fungicides or |
| infestation | pesticides to control diseases or pests | |
| – Remove affected leaves or plants to prevent | ||
| further spread | ||
| Nutrient deficiency | Leaves turn yellow or brown | – Provide balanced fertilizer with sufficient |
| nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium | ||
| – Use organic matter, such as compost or | ||
| well-decomposed manure, to enrich the soil | ||
| Environmental stress | Leaves become brown and | – Protect parsley from extreme weather conditions, |
| brittle | such as frost, excessive heat, or wind | |
| – Provide shade during hot summer afternoons | ||
| Transplant shock | Leaves wither and turn brown | – Handle parsley carefully during transplanting to |
| avoid damaging the roots | ||
| – Water thoroughly after transplanting to help | ||
| parsley establish in its new location |
One of our articles –Parsley Plant Turning Yellow.
Why is your parsley plant turning brown?
Credit Image: Flickr.com
In this article, we’ll look at red flags that are specifically tailored to the parsley plant.
If you notice your parsley plant turning brown and crispy, this could be because of a variety of reasons. So before you assume that your plant just needs more water, sit, and analyze some important factors.
Did you know that one of the most common reasons for potted plants to turn brown and die is overwatering?
Most of us often blame under watering as the main cause of plants dying off. But overwatering can be just as harmful, if not more. It leads to nutrients being depleted in the soil, root rot, and ultimately your plant’s death.
Curious to know what else can cause your plant to brown? Let’s take a look at the main reasons one by one.
One of our articles –Parsley Seedlings Turning Yellow.
Reason 1: Dry air
Underwatering your parsley plant is not the only way for it to be dehydrated. If the air lacks humidity and is too dry, then the effect will show on your parsley leaves.
You see, parsley is an extremely delicate herb. So any change or fluctuation in the weather has an impact on the plant.
If you grow parsley in a garden, then you must have noticed how it wilts in the winter months. That’s because the temperature and dry air are too harsh for the parsley plant.
Solution: Fixing the dry air
If you find your plant is getting dehydrated, first make sure that your watering habits are prim and proper. Now that doesn’t mean you should soak your parsley plant in water 24/7.
After all, that can do more harm than good. Instead, water your plants according to their needs. Most of us make a schedule for water plants. But plants don’t need the same amount of water every day.
So stick your finger in the soil and check if it’s dry before you water.
After you’ve made sure that it gets enough water, try clustering plants together in a corner. This will create a nice mini-forest system for them. If that’s not possible, then you may want to invest in a humidifier.
Reason 2: Small pot
After we’ve covered dry air, let’s take a look at the issue of using a small pot. When a plant grows, we only see the stems and leaves growing upwards.
But we don’t keep in mind that its roots also need room and space to grow under the soil. Moreover, a parsley plant has a taproot system.
This type of roots penetrates deep into the soil to search for water and nutrients. So after the parsley plant has grown to a certain size, you must shift the plant to a bigger pot.
If the roots are cramped up in a small pot, you may notice the parsley leaves turning brown on edges.
We most certainly don’t want that. So let’s take a glimpse at how we can combat this situation.
Solution: Repotting the parsley plant
When you make plans to re-pot your parsley plant, remember to water the plant a few hours beforehand. This will make the soil loose and it’ll also be easy to separate the plant from the pot.
After the water has seeped into the soil, take a spoon, and slowly scrape the top layer of the soil away. Since the topsoil is mostly loose in texture, this won’t be too hard.
Next, place the plant sideways on a plastic sheet or old t-shirt that you don’t enjoy wearing. This will help you avoid any mess from loose soil. Also, cleaning up will get much easier.
Next, hold the base of the stem and slowly pull away from the pot from the plant. Never do the opposite as it can severely damage the roots and stems of your parsley plant.
Next, take some potting soil and mix it with compost. Place it in a bigger pot and then place your parsley plant in it. Place it properly and leave the plant undisturbed for a few days.
One of our articles –Parsley Tips Turning White.
Reason 3: Extreme temperature
Like we said previously, parsley is an extremely delicate herb. If you expose it to harsh temperatures, it is a surefire way to kill it.
Often you may find that you’re taking great care of your plant but it’s still turning brown. In such cases, check whether the parsley plant is exposed to rough weather.
This may be extreme heat or extreme cold. Just like the hot blazing rays of the sun can cause burns in the parsley leaves, the freezing cold will also force the plant to die off.
However, there are some measures you can take so that you enjoy parsley in your meals all year long. Let’s take a look at them.
Solution: Combating the harsh temperatures
If you live in a country where it gets stifling hot in the summers, you need to find a way so that the plant isn’t exposed to the harmful sun rays.
If you grow parsley in a pot, then this part is super breezy. All you need to do is shift the plant indoors where it can get plenty of fresh air and filtered sunlight.
This will help your plant stay cool in the summer months. However, if you grow parsley in your garden then things may get a bit more complicated.
In that case, you will need to build a shade for your little plants. Just make it study enough that it doesn’t collapse under a little rain or wind.
Now if you live in a cold country, shifting your plants indoors is a good idea too. Just do it in a room where the heater is on.
Also, invest in an air humidifier since the air can get extremely dry in the summer months.
Reason 4: Lack of care
Last but not the least, let’s talk about a lack of care on our part.
If you think just keeping a plant under the sun means you’ve done your part, you may be a little off track, my friend.
Although the parsley plant is notorious for being easy to maintain, you still need to give some love to your potted friend. Things such as the quality of the water to the environment of your home could also negatively impact your plant.
If you’re searching for some advice on how to care for your little parsley plant, here are some good tips you can store.
Solution: Paying attention to your plant’s needs.
- Water your plants regularly.
This practice alone can make your plant look healthy and fresh. If you’re an extremely forgetful person, you may want to set an alarm which reminds you to make time.
However, we suggest you not water the plants based on a schedule. Instead, tune in to your plant’s needs and water the plants only when it’s needed.
- Check the quality of the water.
Most of us don’t put much thought into the quality of water we use for our plants.
But you may be surprised to know that many plants die off due to intolerance towards tap ward water.
This will certainly differ from locality to locality, but check if your tap water has fluoride mixed in it. If the answer is a yes, it’s a no for your parsley plant.
Even if you have a water softener system, make sure that there’s no sodium involved. Although harmless for us, this is extremely hazardous to your plant’s health.
If you find no other alternative solution, you might want to collect rainwater and use that to water your plants. Since this is fresh, it’s the best option for your parsley leaves.
Related Questions
Why is my parsley plant turning brown?
There could be several reasons why your parsley plant is turning brown, including overwatering, underwatering, insufficient sunlight, disease, pests, or environmental stress.
How often should I water my parsley plant to prevent it from turning brown?
Parsley plants prefer evenly moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. Water your parsley plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot and browning of the leaves.
What can I do to prevent my parsley plant from turning brown due to insufficient sunlight?
Parsley plants require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. If your parsley plant is not getting enough sunlight, consider moving it to a sunnier spot or providing artificial light using a grow light.
How can I tell if my parsley plant is affected by disease or pests and causing it to turn brown?
Check the leaves and stems of your parsley plant for any signs of pests, such as aphids, mites, or whiteflies, which can cause browning and wilting. Look for any spots, discoloration, or unusual growth patterns on the leaves, which could indicate a disease infection.
Can environmental stress cause my parsley plant to turn brown?
Yes, parsley plants can experience environmental stress from factors such as extreme temperatures, excessive wind, or poor air circulation, which can cause the leaves to turn brown. Protect your parsley plant from harsh environmental conditions and provide adequate ventilation to prevent stress.
How can I revive my brown parsley plant?
If your parsley plant has turned brown, you can try trimming off the brown leaves and providing it with proper care, including adjusting watering, sunlight, and temperature conditions. If the plant is severely affected, you may need to start with a fresh parsley plant.
Can I still use parsley leaves that have turned brown for culinary purposes?
Parsley leaves that have turned brown are usually not suitable for culinary use as they may have a bitter taste and reduced nutritional value. It’s best to use fresh, green parsley leaves for cooking.
Should I fertilize my parsley plant if it’s turning brown?
Over-fertilization can cause browning of parsley leaves. It’s important to follow the recommended fertilization guidelines for parsley plants and avoid overfeeding. If you suspect over-fertilization, leach the soil by thoroughly watering it to flush out excess nutrients.
Can transplant shock cause my parsley plant to turn brown?
Yes, transplant shock can cause parsley plants to turn brown. When transplanting parsley, ensure that the new location has suitable sunlight, moisture, and temperature conditions, and avoid damaging the plant’s roots during the transplant process.
Should I prune my parsley plant to prevent browning?
Pruning parsley plants can help promote bushier growth and prevent overcrowding, which can reduce the risk of browning due to poor air circulation. However, avoid excessive pruning, as it can stress the plant and cause browning of leaves.
Bottom line
And that’s it from us on the topic folks! We hope that you enjoyed reading this post and learned at least something new from it.
Do you have a parsley plant at home? Tell us about some of the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
Also, if you have any residual doubts on the topic parsley plants turning brown, don’t forget to let us know in the comments below.
We’d love to hear from you. Until then, stay happy and keep gardening!
