Why Are Leaves On My Plants Dry And Paper-Like?

Have your plants gone through a long period without water?

Have your plants been watered too excessively?

Are the leaves also covered with the white powdery coating?

Have your plants been fertilized during the dormancy period or excessively fertilized during the growing period?

Papery leaves on plants are often caused by leaf scorch. If the crispy, dry appearance shows up on leaf tips first, then progresses to the entire leaf, they are suffering from leaf scorch. This often happens during hot, dry weather when moisture evaporates before the plant can absorb it. Without moisture, the leaves are unable to cool and easily become scorched. A good soaking may restore a leaf-scorched plant if the damage isn’t too severe.

Too much moisture can cause leaf scorch. This occurs when the soil is so wet that the roots are deprived of oxygen. As the roots smother, the leaves turn dry and papery and the plant eventually dies. If a plant is affected by root rot, the stem will generally display a rotted, waterlogged appearance. Root rot is nearly always fatal. To prevent rot, grow plants in well-drained soil and allow the soil to dry slightly between each watering.

The fungal disease Powdery mildew can cause leaves to take on a dry, blotchy, scorched appearance. It often shows up when conditions are warm and humid. If the problem affects only a few leaves, just remove the leaves and dispose of them properly because powdery mildew is highly contagious. Allow adequate space between plants to provide air circulation.

Excessive fertilizing is an often cause of dry, paper-like leaves. Too much can scorch the roots and burn the plant. Read the container carefully and apply fertilizer as directed. Many plants perform better with a dilute formula, and most require no fertilizer during the winter months.

Water quality can affect the health of many indoor plant species. Chlorine and minerals in the water are a common reason for brown, papery spots on leaves, and may cause the leaves to turn brown and drop. Use bottled water or let tap water sit overnight so the chlorine and minerals have time to dissipate. Cold water also affects many plants. Most plants prefer room temperature water.